Mokupāpapa Discovery Center, Hilo HI

Wow well done! Absolutely stunning displays and enthusiastic staff. Everything from marine life to geology and culture to art. The interactive activities range from toddler toys to a robotics lab. All free!

Such a great place. Great displays & interactive Wayfinder knots. The staff is knowledgeable & so friendly. Go there even without kids!

Love the new exhibit upstairs. Especially the FREE robotics day they now have on Saturdays from 10-3

This is a great place to learn about Hawaiian seafaring culture and marine conservation issues. Free admission, some interesting exhibits, and very knowledgeable staff.

What a treasure. This lovely museum is devoted to educating about the Marine National monument across Hawaii. The staff was so helpful and friendly and we learned so much. I can see this place being especially amazing for children and young-at-heart learners.

I stumbled upon this center while I was walking around Hilo. Absolutely fascinating! I learned how much I don't know about the Hawaiian Islands. Great place adults and kids.

Definitely worth a walk through. Lots of cool information on sea life and culture of the area.

Beautiful aquarium and interesting facts about sea life and the islands. Staff was very helpful too!

Free education, and lots of visual info. Please visit and educate yourself on the Dynamics of intelligent oceanic care.

Fun experience! Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Our kids loved the kids area/puppet show and Scavenger hunt.

Great stop with our toddler. She enjoyed the coloring, playing with puppets, and especially the reef aquarium. She spotted fish we saw while swimming yesterday.

Lots of information about our delicate ocean and other related displays. Really enjoyed my free time there

The whole family enjoyed the time at the discovery center. Spent two hours!
Highly recommend

The remote northwestern islands of the Hawaiian archipelago possess an incredible variety of wildlife and are home to the largest fully protected conservation area in the United States.

And since most people will never be able to experience this region firsthand, in 2003 the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center was founded to foster public awareness and bring ocean conservation issues to light.

The center is in the historic Koehnen building, dating back more than a century, with Hawaiian hardwood floors and a beautiful koa staircase.

The exhibition includes lots of interpretive panels going into the region’s biodiversity, artwork inspired by Hawaiian culture and authentic ambient sound.

The showpiece is a 3,500-gallon saltwater aquarium displaying some of the species inhabiting the coral reefs in the island chain.