Hawaii Nature Center

Established in 1981, the Hawaii Nature Center's mission is to educate children through on-site, interactive programs designed to foster appreciation for the natural environment, awareness of stewardship in the preservation of the islands and having some good, old-fashioned, outdoor fun! Today, the center provides education for schools, families and the general public and has grown from serving 2,000 school children to serving more than 800,000 participating children and adults since it was first formed. Along with school programs, the center offer's weekend activities for families and week-long summer intercession programs for students that include guided, interpretive hikes, nature adventures, earth care projects and community-based restoration projects.

The Hawaii Nature Center's original field operation began at Oahu's Makiki Valley, just minutes from Honolulu and expanded to additional field sites at Pu'u Ualaka'a State Park and the Honouliuli National Wildlife Refuse. In 1992, the Maui operation was introduced at Iao Valley, the 4,000-acre tropical rainforest, home to sacred Hawaiian grounds, the Iao Needle and one of the most important locations in Hawaiian history. The Iao Valley facility offers an interactive nature museum with more than 30 exhibits and guided nature hikes into Iao Valley for a fee of $25 per adult and $23 per child.

The Hawaii Nature Center is popular for its immersion into all facets of nature. Programs include activities such as making terrariums, studying the habitats of arthropods, learning about endemic and invasive plants, going on fishing expeditions, exploring various flora and fauna and discovering how crustaceans live on both land and water. Volunteers teach about conservation in a fun way, so that kids can relate, plus enjoy getting dirty in the outdoors while learning. The goal of the Hawaii Nature Center is to connect kids with nature so that what they learn today will help preserve Hawaii tomorrow.