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Mokupāpapa Discovery Center

Mokupāpapa Discovery Center exhibit

Learn about some of the most remote and spectacular coral reefs of Hawaiʻi at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in Hilo! The center exposes visitors to the nature, culture, and history of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary. Since few will ever get the opportunity to visit these remote islands, the center uses beautiful exhibits and a 3,500-gallon saltwater aquarium to "bring the place to the people" and inspire greater appreciation for their fragile ecosystems.

  • Location: 76 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720
  • Admission: Free
  • Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Best for: Families, nature lovers, culture seekers

Accessibility Features

Physical and Mobility Assistance

  • Wheelchair Accessibility
    • The facility is fully accessible and ADA compliant in terms of physical access, including wheelchair accessible areas, bathroom, elevator, doorways, and exhibit panel height.
    • The facility is in a historic, 115-year-old building and doors are not automated.
    • The public restroom has wheelchair access.
  • Transportation
    • An accessible parking stall is available near the entrance.

Service Animals

Service dogs are always welcome at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center. We follow the U.S. Department of Justice’s requirements for service dogs as listed under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service dogs are defined as animals trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability.

Sight and Hearing Impaired Assistance

The restroom sign is in braille.

Sensory Friendly Assistance

  • Learning opportunities
    • Mokupāpapa Discovery Center facilitates and accommodates different learning styles. Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners are all accommodated. There are iPads, touchscreens, audio chants, and even some features visitors can touch to feel texture. We also provide a knot tying station to learn about knots. Hands-on learning is available for a wide age range of students and families. The newest exhibit features life size turtle models visitors can touch, spin blocks, and a museum friendly microscope.

Language

Exhibits are in Hawaiian and English, the two official languages of the state of Hawaiʻi.