Waikiki Aquarium — Attraction in Honolulu

Let me start by saying, this place has fully gone downhill. We payed Kama’aina prices to get in which is great if there's enough up and running but inside there were a few empty exhibits and outside had literally one exhibit with what appears to be a touch-tank but wasn’t! Instead, they gave us a laminated paper with 8 fish to find in the tank. After reading & looking at everything inside which took 20 minutes tops, we spent about 4-5 min at the “no-touch” tank which the girls working at were sluggish and not interested in getting involved with the kids at all! We went to see the monk seals but found they’ve been gone for years even though the sign at the exhibit says the seals would be gone for a year yet according to a post on here from 5, yes 5 years ago, the seals weren’t there then either.

Super disappointing for my kids.

That means I paid how much for 2 kids and two adults??? Ugh. So I go up to the counter to speak to whoever is in management. A man comes over and tells me that there is a sign posted about the exhibits that are closed. I go look… 👀 it’s not a sign! There were two 9x12 papers taped up, the first in Japanese and the second in English. They are not signs, they are tiny pieces of paper taped on a window. It also says they seals would be gone for a year, yet the man, (pictured), confirmed the seal has been gone since Covid 🤷‍♀️ Then he tells me the price hasn’t changed since 2012. Well sir, good thing because I don’t think it warrants more money at all. In fact I don’t think money being spent there is being utilized properly at least not after seeing for myself. How about telling everyone you haven’t had seals there in over 5 years 🤷‍♀️ how about taking down your faux tiny sign and putting a sandwich board out that says, we haven’t had our seals in over five years… you know why? No one would come!

Then some kooky lady chimes in, “also pictured”, who felt the need to talk down to me and then as I left she talked poorly about me as well. I know because I went back to take a picture of their “signage”. Here I was thinking these folks were educated yet they certainly never learned about manners 🤷‍♀️ I most certainly let her know it was ridiculous.

Before we came my daughter thought she might volunteer there in less than two years while she’s in college. After going, I wouldn’t let her work with anyone there I met.

If I’m being honest, it’s a waste of money and resources and should be shut down.

The two people in the picture are rude and are in major denial thinking that the aquarium is worth it or for thinking that you can treat people like you do and no one will do anything. I could be the head of NASA or another organization, yet the girl was asking her buddies who I thought I was for even coming up and asking why the monk seals are not back yet. She sure has a lot of nerve if you ask me…

As for who I am… I am the person who actually writes reviews and call the university to let them know what a bang up job you are all doing there. Nothing but a hamajang operation. Also don’t bother going in the gift shop. Everything is from Temu and costs 7 times what it does on Temu’s site! All from china and then you get to pay and extra $0.15 for a bag that is cheap with no sign of Waikiki aquarium printed on it 🤷‍♀️ what a rip off! The whole kit and caboodle! To top it off, the kids “hands on coloring table was already colored completely so that stunk too! Worst over $50 I’ve spent yet on Oahu in my life!

I do not recommend at all! The guy in the pic even spoke poorly on the zoo saying they are a lot more expensive… well, first off, with kama’aina it’s $7.00 each and they actually have most exhibits open and you spend a lot more time actually learning. You could spend a whole day there!

If you are picking between the zoo and the aquarium, there really is only one choice if you actually want to see...

It is a shame that this place is in the heart of Waikiki and is affiliated with the University of Hawaii. It is so outdated and antiquated. It is honestly an embarrassment to tourists that this is what we have to offer our sea life and keiki (child) education in this state. This year Mark Zuckerberg donated 50 MILLION dollars to UH for ocean research. You'd think with this large endowment that the Waikiki Aquarium would receive a mass renovation! As a Kamaʻaina (resident) I paid $8 admission. My son who is under 4 was free. We booked our tickets online and stood in line for about 10 minutes on a Thursday in May at 10:45 am to get in. I wish I could say it was worth the $8, but it wasn't. My son and I were done seeing the small tanks in under 10 minutes.

Some tanks say "under construction" the outside area is pointless most exhibits are closed. Random sun screen dispensers asking you to try mineral sunscreen to "protect our reefs", but they are all empty. The one outdoor restroom area is dingy and looks like your in that "70's Show". There are two tanks outdoors that are dark and dingy looking. No other sea animals. The Monk Seal exhibit was empty and looked dirty. Other exhibits are closed or no longer in use. My son chased pigeons instead. No turtles to see. I honestly feel really bad for the seal life here who are living in these super small tanks.

The aquarium staff take your picture when you enter. Purchasing one picture is $16.95 (two times the price of admission), $32 for several pics. Where they got the idea to charge this price for pictures beats me! The staff are VERY friendly, They still require masks indoors even though you can literally enter a store next-door without a mask on. No idea where the science is that backs this "selective" mask requirement at some establishments and not others. Perhaps COVID can only spread at the Aquarium? VERY ODD!

Food: There is NOTHING to eat inside so eat before you come or you'll be forced to wait until you leave. I luckily brought my son snacks and we were able to lay a blanket down in the grass outside and eat. Only small benches no tables to sit at.

Parking: Free at Kapiolani Park, or you can pay the meters .

Overall: The highlight of our brief visit was the Giant Grouper in the "largest' tank, the box jellyfish, and the seahorses. My son spent more time looking at these exhibits. I was able to let my son to walk around on his own to see the indoor exhibits a few times, so it is kid friendly since it is so small inside and impossible to lose him, but not...

I remember loving this place as a little girl. But when you're little, everything seems big. That being said, this place is tiny.

Still, it was a nice little aquarium. It had just enough exhibits for the little one to get excited seeing all the things and touching the crabs, but as an adult, I truly felt a lacking.

The parking here is basically street parking. There are like 4 or 5 spots right in front of the entrance, otherwise you will have to find street parking (fighting with everyone who is going to the beach, the zoo, shopping, or just live in the area).

The price here at first wasn't too bad, but when we went in, I felt like it was a bit much for what it offered. But the do offer a kama'aina / military discount.

I think we spent about an hour to 90 mins tops here. Like I said, its not very big and there were a few "repeats" in the fish tanks.

This place is something to do with your toddlers and young kids if you live here, but if you are just visiting I wouldn't put it on your list of places to go unless you are truly into marine life and want to see creatures native to...