[ SUNDAY TRAVEL ]
Honolulu Zoo
It's where the wild things are
By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi "LET'S GO TO THE ZOO," I recently suggested to a friend.
Special to the Star-Bulletin"The zoo?"
It was obviously an option he hadn't considered in some 30 years. "The zoo?" he repeated. "Great idea! I'd really like to see the white rhinoceros."
So one Sunday afternoon, we embarked on a four-hour safari at Honolulu Zoo. We wandered through its 43 acres, soaking in the peace, marveling at the sights. We walked beside Mari, a five-ton elephant who was out for a stroll with her keepers. We stood eye-to-eye with vultures and toucans in a habitat resembling a tropical forest. We pet goats and llamas, laughed as a lively troupe of chimps performed circus-like stunts ... and, yes, enjoyed great views of Krueger, the rare white rhino. It was time well spent.
In addition to its regular exhibits, Honolulu Zoo offers a variety of family-oriented programs throughout the year. Here's a sampling of what's available during the month of April.
Address: 151 Kapahulu Ave., next to Kapiolani Park in Waikiki HONOLULU ZOO
Phone: 971-7171
Admission: $6 for those aged 13 and up; $1 for children aged six
through 12; free for kids aged five and under. Local residents aged 13 and up pay $4 when they show valid Hawaii identification. Also available are one-year family passes for two adults and a maximum of six youngsters aged 17 and under ($25 and $35).
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily except Christmas New Year's Days
Web site: www.honoluluzoo.org
>> Junior Zookeeper. Mammal keeper, bird keeper, reptile keeper, veterinarian-youngsters aged 11 and older meet these knowledgeable staff members and learn about the life cycles, diets and behavioral patterns of the animals in their charge. The program runs April 7, 14, 21 and 28. The fee is $35 per class or $120 for all four sessions.
>> Moonlight Tours. Discover which of the zoo's residents wake up after the sun goes down, April 6 and 7; $10 per person.
>> Snooze in the Zoo. This memorable overnight includes a pizza dinner, walking tours, storytelling, continental breakfast, animal feedings and cooking s'mores at a blazing campfire, April 21. The cost is $35 for participants age five and up, $10 for kids three to four, and free for children two and under.>> Behind the Scenes. Enter the zoo before the main gate opens for a continental breakfast followed by a behind-the-scenes tour with a keeper, April 28. Costs $20 per person.
>> Vacation Adventure. Youngsters ages five through 12 spend the day feeding animals, talking to zookeepers, playing animal-inspired games and creating zoo art. Topics change weekly. The dates are tomorrow, April 13 and 23. Costs $40 for the 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. session; $45 for the 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. session.
>> Strollers. Create crafts; visit the animals; and touch the bones of hippos, zebras, ostriches and other creatures during a fun morning with your toddler, April 21. Costs $15 per parent-child team; $5 for each additional person.
Members of the Honolulu Zoological Society receive discounts on all programs. A free brochure is available by mailing a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the Honolulu Zoological Society, 151 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii 96815. For information, call 926-3191 or e-mail zoosoc@honzoosoc.org.
Editor's note: "Lucky you live Hawaii," so the saying goes. You're luckier than you think. Every Sunday, this new travel column will re-introduce you to our beautiful, fascinating island home. Sometimes we'll share surprising facts about a museum, park or other popularattraction. In other columns, we'll focus on worthwhile but little-known events and educational programs.
We'll try spelunking, ride on horseback in the crater of the world's largest dormant volcano, and zip along scenic trails and coastlines in an all-terrain vehicle. Amazing experiences await you in Hawaii ... just beyond your back yard.