Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo And Gardens

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Last Updated: December 7, 2025

Pana'Ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens is a popular tourist attraction located in Hilo, Hawaii.


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Summary

The zoo is home to a variety of exotic animals, including monkeys, birds, and big cats. The gardens feature a vast array of tropical plants, including orchids and hibiscus. Visitors can take guided tours of the park, including a behind-the-scenes tour of the big cat enclosure.

One of the main reasons to visit Pana'Ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens is to see its unique collection of animals and plants, many of which are native to Hawaii. The zoo is also known for its conservation efforts, including its work to protect endangered species.

Some of the most popular points of interest at the zoo include the tiger and lion exhibits, the primate habitat, and the bird aviary. Visitors can also see a variety of reptiles, including snakes and lizards.

Interesting facts about Pana'Ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens include that it was originally opened in 1978 as a petting zoo, and that it is the only zoo in Hawaii that is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The best time of year to visit Pana'Ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens is during the dry season, which runs from May through October. During this time, visitors can enjoy the park's outdoor exhibits without having to worry about rain. However, the zoo is open year-round, so visitors can enjoy the animals and gardens no matter when they visit.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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