Celebrating its one-year anniversary October 2022, the Hawaii Wildlife Discovery Center is still under the radar for some visitors. Despite being a fresh face on the island, this interactive discovery center has made its mark as an absolute must-see for those wanting to learn about eco-tourism, Hawaiian culture, marine debris art, or how to sign up to volunteer on-island.
Located in Whalers Village shopping center, just off Kaanapali Beach, the center is in the perfect place to educate the masses. This new island-staple offers pay-as-you-wish admission and donation boxes throughout, offering exhibits that will pull at your heartstrings and expand your perspective. As travelers walk through the center, they experience the Malama Hawaii program, created to teach new visitors about their kuleana (responsibility) to the āina (land), offering over 30 exhibits on protected marine life. The center is staffed with marine biology experts that can answer the toughest of questions and are also out on the ocean entrance of Whalers Village every during whale season to help people spot whales!
One of the highlights of the center is the immersion room, with three walls of floor-to-ceiling video and a sound system that will rattle the bones of spectators. Travelers can grab a beanbag and sit back, experiencing Maui through a mesmerizing local film about the local ecosystem and how every choice made can impact it. Beyond the immersion room, visitors will come upon the marine debris art installations. These masterpieces repurpose plastic from all over the world that gets washed up on Maui. Beyond the art exhibit, travlers can indulge at the gift shop, geared towards the eco-conscious. The shop features sustainable gifts with an emphasis on items sourced locally in Hawaii.
Things to not miss:
- The center desk offers an abundance of ways to get involved including everything from beach cleanups to turtle watch experiences
- For travelers looking to contribute on their own time, the center offers to-go beach clean-up kits
- On Fridays in the Discovery Center, Whalers Village hosts complimentary cultural lessons with Uncle Ron. Guests can learn about coconut weaving and the importance to Hawaiians, as well as learn some basics on the ukulele!
Did you know: Even though beach clean-ups consist of volunteers, they cost around an average of $1000 per clean-up once all expenses (food, fuel, debris cleaning and disposal) add up.