Family Fun At The Waikiki Aquarium - SEPTEMBER 2026 Events And Programs - Kaimuki

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Kaimuki, Hawaii
Event Calendar Item
Family Fun At The Waikiki Aquarium - SEPTEMBER 2026 Events And Programs
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Type: Family
Date: SEPTEMBER 2026
Time: see notes
Location:
2777 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: 808-923-9741
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Cost: see notes

Waikiki Aquarium Family Programs - SEPTEMBER 2026
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FEATURED EXHIBIT - Amazing Adaptations Exhibit Opens!

Description: The Amazing Adaptations Gallery displays a diverse collection of seahorses, seadragons and pipefishes. These fishes are members of an unusual fish family, known as family Syngnathidae, and share some unusual characteristics. Perhaps most notably, the male fishes in this family carry the eggs and the females show no parental care. Some species even exhibit true male pregnancy and are the only animals known to do so. Other characteristics of these fish include elongated bodies enclosed in bony armor, tubular fused snouts, and the need to eat almost continuously due to the lack of a stomach. There are nearly 200 known pipefish species, 47 known seahorse species, and only two known seadragon species.

Extending over 60 feet of gallery wall and holding over 3,000-gallons of water, the gallery includes nine exhibits that display species ranging from local Hawaiian pipefishes and seahorses to exotic Australian seadragons. Additionally, two seahorse nursery tanks display juvenile seahorses bred at the aquarium and the live food these fish require to survive in captivity.
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VISIT WAIKIKI AQUARIUM WEBSITE
SEPTEMBER 2026
Sep
2
Front to Back Aquarium Tour
Wed Sep 2, 3:00pm - 4:15pm
Sep
3
Papahānaumokuākea NOAA Cruise Ship-to-Shore Session
Thu Sep 3, 10:00am - 10:45am
Waikīkī Aquarium Classroom Live Stream
Sep
5
Critter Corner - Fun for the whole family!
Sat Sep 5, 9:30am - 12:00pm
Waikīkī Aquarium, 2777 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
Sep
7
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Mon Sep 7, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
7
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Mon Sep 7, 2:30pm - 3:00pm
Sep
8
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Tue Sep 8, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
9
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Wed Sep 9, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
9
Front to Back Aquarium Tour
Wed Sep 9, 3:00pm - 4:15pm
Sep
10
Hawaii Marine Animal Response (HMAR) Table
Thu Sep 10, All day
Waikīkī Aquarium, 2777 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Sep
10
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Thu Sep 10, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
11
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Fri Sep 11, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
12
Critter Corner - Fun for the whole family!
Sat Sep 12, 9:30am - 12:00pm
Waikīkī Aquarium, 2777 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
Sep
12
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Sat Sep 12, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
13
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Sun Sep 13, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
14
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Mon Sep 14, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
14
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Mon Sep 14, 2:30pm - 3:00pm
Sep
15
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Tue Sep 15, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
16
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Wed Sep 16, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
16
Front to Back Aquarium Tour
Wed Sep 16, 3:00pm - 4:15pm
Sep
17
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Thu Sep 17, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
17
Giants of Change: How New Technology Is Revealing the Secret Lives of Whales and Why Their Health Matters to Us All: Tim Guard Distinguished Lecture Series
Thu Sep 17, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Architecture Building, Room 205
Sep
18
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Fri Sep 18, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
19
Critter Corner - Fun for the whole family!
Sat Sep 19, 9:30am - 12:00pm
Waikīkī Aquarium, 2777 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
Sep
19
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Sat Sep 19, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
20
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Sun Sep 20, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
21
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Mon Sep 21, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
21
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Mon Sep 21, 2:30pm - 3:00pm
Sep
22
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Tue Sep 22, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
23
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Wed Sep 23, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
23
Front to Back Aquarium Tour
Wed Sep 23, 3:00pm - 4:15pm
Sep
24
Hawaii Marine Animal Response (HMAR) Table
Thu Sep 24, All day
Waikīkī Aquarium, 2777 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Sep
24
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Thu Sep 24, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
25
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Fri Sep 25, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
26
Critter Corner - Fun for the whole family!
Sat Sep 26, 9:30am - 12:00pm
Waikīkī Aquarium, 2777 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
Sep
26
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Sat Sep 26, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
27
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Sun Sep 27, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
28
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Mon Sep 28, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
28
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Mon Sep 28, 2:30pm - 3:00pm
Sep
29
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Tue Sep 29, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
30
Hawaiian Reef Animals
Wed Sep 30, 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Sep
30
Front to Back Aquarium Tour
Wed Sep 30, 3:00pm - 4:15pm

VISIT WAIKIKI AQUARIUM WEBSITE

Critter Corner
• Fun for the whole family
Enjoy a Saturday morning Aquarium visit with a mix of hands-on activities and ocean discovery! Each week, families can explore a rotating lineup of experiences—hold a hermit crab or sea star, create your own ocean-themed puppet, learn about Hawaiian monk seals, and much more.

Hawaii Marine Animal Response (HMAR) Table
Hawaii Marine Animal Response (HMAR) is the largest Hawaii-based nonprofit marine species conservation, education, field support, rescue and stranding response organization.

Their mission is to undertake substantial actions that result in the preservation, recovery and stewardship of Hawaii’s marine protected species and the ocean ecosystem we share. Thousands of times each year, our outreach, field response, interventions, rescue and stranding support activities help us move towards our vision of Hawaii’s ocean ecosystem shared in sustainable harmony by humans and marine protected animals such as Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, dolphins, whales and seabirds.

Visit HMARʻs table at the Waikiki Aquarium to learn about HMAR, the work they do, and why they do it.

Classes and Activities for Groups
Waikīkī Aquarium offers a variety classes for community and family groups from 6 people to 45 people
Read More

Behind the Scenes Tour
Behind the Scenes TourWednesdays at 3:30 pm Learn what makes the Aquarium run, from fish food to qua
Read More

Classes and Activities for Groups
Waikīkī Aquarium offers a variety classes for community and family groups from 6 people to 45 people. Book a Private Aquarium Tour or the interactive Hawaiian Reef Animals encounter for your clan. Or, an Aquarium After Dark or Fish School for your club or scout group.

FEATURED EVENTS

Giants of Change: How New Technology Is Revealing the Secret Lives of Whales and Why Their Health Matters to Us All: Tim Guard Distinguished Lecture Series
Thu Sep 17 2026, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
WhereShow on map
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Architecture Building, Room 205

Description

The Future of Coral Reefs in Hawai‘i & Technology to Reverse Coral Reef Loss
Dr. Lars Bejder, Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register today!
Location: University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa  Architecture Building Room 205 Honolulu, HI 96822

Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 17, at 6 p.m. for the 2026 Tim Guard Distinguished Lecture Series featuring Dr. Lars Bejder for "Giants of Change: How New Technology Is Revealing the Secret Lives of Whales and Why Their Health Matters to Us All," an engaging look at how drones, artificial intelligence, satellites, and advanced wildlife sensors are transforming whale research.
Discover how these innovations are helping scientists monitor whale health, track epic migrations, study mother-calf relationships, and better understand the effects of climate change and human activity on these remarkable animals. Admission is free and open to the public.
This one-hour presentation begins at 6 p.m. and will be followed by a live Q&A session. Admission is free.

About Dr. Lars Bejder, Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology
Dr. Lars Bejder is the Director of the Marine Mammal Research Program and a Research Professor at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology. His research integrates empirical and applied approaches to advance the conservation and management of marine megafauna. His interests include behavioral-, population-, and social ecology; bioenergetics; abundance estimation; and assessing the effects of a changing environment and human activities (e.g., habitat degradation, coastal development, and tourism) on marine mammals. He applies innovative technologies to quantify fine-scale habitat use, energy expenditure, body condition, and population health of marine mammals. Lars works closely with management agencies and conservation partners to ensure his research directly informs evidence-based policy and effective stewardship of marine wildlife.

VISIT WAIKIKI AQUARIUM WEBSITE

SUPPORT WAIKIKI AQUARIUM
Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium
Read More

Become a Member
Becoming a Friends of the Waikīkī Aquarium (FOWA) member enables marine life enthusiasts of all ages
Read More

ABOUT WAIKIKI AQUARIUM

Founded in 1904 and administered by the University of Hawai'i at Manoa since 1919, the Waikiki Aquarium is located on the shoreline of Waikiki Beach next to a living reef and across from Kapiolani Park. The Aquarium -- second oldest in the U.S. -- showcases more than 500 marine species, and maintains more than 3,500 marine specimens. Public exhibits, education programs and research focus on the unique aquatic life of Hawai'i and the tropical Pacific.

The Aquarium welcomes more than 320,000 visitors annually, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except Honolulu Marathon Sunday and Christmas Day. Admission is $12 for visitors; $8 for local residents and active duty military with ID, $5 for senior citizens and juniors ages four to 12; and free for children three and under and Friends of Waikiki Aquarium (FOWA) members.

MISSION:
To inspire and promote understanding, appreciation
and conservation of Pacific marine life.

DESCRIPTION:

Founded in 1904, the Waikiki Aquarium is the second
oldest public aquarium in the United States. A part of the University of
Hawai`i at Manoa since 1919, it is located next to a living reef on the Waikiki
shoreline. Exhibits, programs, and research focus on the aquatic life of
Hawai`i and the tropical Pacific, with roughly 320,000 people visiting the
Aquarium each year. Over 3,500 organisms are on exhibit representing more than
500 species of aquatic animals and plants.

EXHIBITS:
Waikiki Aquarium exhibits focus on the diversity of
aquatic, shoreline and coral reef habitats and living communities of Hawai`i and
the tropical Pacific. Among the highlights:

Corals Are Alive! interactive exhibits
showcasing corals, their biology and conservation

SeaVisions Theatre shows videos that
illustrate shoreline conservation and how you can be a responsible reef
visitor

South Pacific Marine Communities features
South Pacific habitats and species, including colorful reef corals and fishes,
giant clams, groupers and snappers and intriguing partnerships such as
anemonefishes and their host sea anemones

Hawaiian Marine Communities recreates
Hawaiian habitats from wave-swept surge zone to deep reef slopes, and from young
to ancient reefs; celebrates distinctive reef life, including the longnose
butterflyfish

Ocean Drifters Gallery features a
1,000-gallon moon jelly tank and a seasonally changing jelly wall that may
contain white-spotted jellies, blue blubbers, sea nettles, box jellies and
ctenophores

Hunters on the Reef 35,000-gallon exhibit
is home to Hawaiian sharks and jacks; shark interpretive panels introduce shark
biology, research, conservation and safety. New Spyball camera provides up close
shark encounters in real time on a television screen

Edge of the Reef naturalistic shoreline
exhibit offering opportunities for supervised observation and hands-on
interactions with selected marine life

The Coral Farm exhibit and working research
facility for propagation of reef corals

Giant Clams exhibit and working research
facility for propagation of clams

Hawaiian Monk Seal Habitat features the
endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal found only in the Hawaiian Islands

Aquaculture features moi, a popular food
fish, whose numbers have declined in the wild

Coastal Gardens with native Hawaiian plants
adapted for life close to the sea

ENDANGERED SPECIES:

Hawaiian monk seals; ‘öhai (endemic
Hawaiian coastal plant)

UNIQUE SPECIES:
Pacific giant clams; Hawaiian stream gobies; rare
deep-reef butterflyfish; bearded armorheads; masked angelfish; and diverse
native coastal plants

CONSERVATION & RESEARCH:
The Waikiki Aquarium is a working research facility,
conducting numerous conservation and research programs, including:

Husbandry, nutrition and behavior of aquatic and marine
aquarium specimens

Husbandry and propagation of chambered
nautilus

Spawning behavior, larval rearing, and propagation
potential of selected reef fishes

Identification & treatment of diseases, parasite
infections and other ailments of aquarium marine life

Coral husbandry, propagation and conservation

Hawaiian monk seal metabolic and bacteriological
research

Giant clam husbandry and propagation

Sea jelly husbandry and propagation

Deep reef coral research

Coral Ark: archiving and husbandry of rare Hawaiian
corals

EDUCATION PROGRAMS:
The Waikiki Aquarium offers numerous education programs,
including:

Interpretive services: staff or volunteers enrich
the visitor experience with explanations of the exhibits, demonstrations, and
hands-on experiences

Self-tour opportunities for individuals and
groups: interpretive graphics & exhibits, handouts are
available.

School Program: presentations and docent-assisted
tours for school groups, grades K - 6

Outreach and special request presentations for
schools and community groups

Community Enrichment Program: year-round natural
history fieldtrips, classes, and workshops for children, families, and
adults

Information services: staff answer questions from
visitors & community on marine and aquarium-science related
topics

OPPORTUNITIES:

The Waikiki Aquarium affords a number of opportunities
to get involved through:

Membership: Join the Friends of the
Waikïkï Aquarium (FOWA) to enjoy the annual benefits of free
admission, 20% discount at the Natural Selections gift shop, quarterly mailings
of our beautiful and informative magazine Kilo i’a, free salt water
pick-up, and facility rental privileges at “Family” and
“Family Plus” levels. To select the membership level right for you,
please see the Visitor Services staff or contact Events and Membership Manager
Raina Fujitani at (808) 440-9008 for more information.

Volunteerism: When you donate your time and
curiosity to the Waikiki Aquarium, you are rewarded with diverse and challenging
opportunities to help make a difference!
- Education
  – Docents provide on-site presentations and tours to elementary school
  groups and provide outreach programs for school and community groups.
  Interpreters at the Edge of the Reef exhibit assist visitors and provide
  up-close observations of Hawaiian marine life.
- Live
  Exhibits – Assist with husbandry, tank maintenance and
  feeding.
- Natural
  Selection Shop – Assist with stocking inventory and sales.
- Membership/Public
  Relations/Special Events - Assist with bulk mail outs & communications
  with Aquarium members, public relations surveys, record-keeping and special
  events.

AWARDS:
The Waikiki Aquarium has received several awards for its
research and conservation efforts, including:

2008 Keep It Hawai`i Award

2003 Munson Aquatic Conservation Exhibit (M.A.C.E.) Award
from the American Zoo & Aquarium Association (AZA) for South Pacific Marine
Communities exhibit

2003 Edward H. Bean Award from AZA for Long Term Tropical
Pacific Coral Propagation Program

DIRECTOR: Dr. Andrew
Rossiter

EMPLOYEES: 35 full-time, 36 part-time, 33
affiliate staff

HOURS: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (except
Honolulu Marathon Sunday and Christmas Day)

ADMISSION: $12 for visitors; $8 for local residents and active duty military with ID, $5 for senior citizens and juniors ages four to 12; and free for children three and under and Friends of Waikiki Aquarium (FOWA) members.

Questions? Ready for an appointment?

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Kaimuki, Hawaii Event Calendar Item

Family Fun At The Waikiki Aquarium - SEPTEMBER 2026 Events And Programs

Kaimuki, Hawaii
Event Calendar Item