Family Fun At The Waikiki Aquarium - FEBRUARY 2026 Events And Programs - Waikiki

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Waikiki Get Down - Honolulu, Hawaii
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Family Fun At The Waikiki Aquarium - FEBRUARY 2026 Events And Programs
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Type: Family
Date: FEBRUARY 2026
Time: see notes
Location:
2777 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: 808-923-9741
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Cost: see notes

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Waikiki Aquarium Family Programs - FEBRUARY 2026

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FEATURED EXHIBIT/

- Amazing Adaptations Exhibit Opens!

Description: The Amazing Adaptations Gallery displays a diverse collection of seahorses, seadragons and pipefishes. These fishes are members of an unusual fish family, known as family Syngnathidae, and share some unusual characteristics. Perhaps most notably, the male fishes in this family carry the eggs and the females show no parental care. Some species even exhibit true male pregnancy and are the only animals known to do so. Other characteristics of these fish include elongated bodies enclosed in bony armor, tubular fused snouts, and the need to eat almost continuously due to the lack of a stomach. There are nearly 200 known pipefish species, 47 known seahorse species, and only two known seadragon species.

Extending over 60 feet of gallery wall and holding over 3,000-gallons of water, the gallery includes nine exhibits that display species ranging from local Hawaiian pipefishes and seahorses to exotic Australian seadragons. Additionally, two seahorse nursery tanks display juvenile seahorses bred at the aquarium and the live food these fish require to survive in captivity.

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ONGONG EVENTS

Hawaiian Reef Animals

Hawaiian Reef AnimalsTuesdays at 2:30 pm and 3:30 pmWednesdays at 2:00 pm Sneak-a-peek behind the sc

Critter Corner

Fun for the whole family
Enjoy a Saturday morning Aquarium visit with a mix of hands-on activities and ocean discovery! Each week, families can explore a rotating lineup of experiences—hold a hermit crab or sea star, create your own ocean-themed puppet, learn about Hawaiian monk seals, and much more.

Saturday mornings this Spring. Free with admission to the Waikiki Aquarium.

February 7, 2026 @ 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
February 14, 2026 @ 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
February 21, 2026 @ 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
February 28, 2026 @ 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

Science and Stories Seminar Series
Join us at the Waikīkī Aquarium or over Zoom every Thursday evening in February for an engaging, all-ages seminar series where science meets storytelling. Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Research Fellows and Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center Graduate Scholars will share their research as stories—exploring what motivates them, why their work matters, and using creative analogies to bring methods and data analysis to life.
Expect curiosity, connection, and a fresh way to experience science.
* Doors open at 5:30 PM  * Presentations begin at 6:00 PM  * Free and open to the public
Come learn, listen, and get inspired! Register here
Feb 5, 2026 06:00 PM
Feb 12, 2026 06:00 PM
Feb 19, 2026 06:00 PM
Feb 26, 2026 06:00 PM

Hawaii Marine Animal Response (HMAR) Table
Hawaii Marine Animal Response (HMAR) is the largest Hawaii-based nonprofit marine species conservation, education, field support, rescue and stranding response organization.

Their mission is to undertake substantial actions that result in the preservation, recovery and stewardship of Hawaii’s marine protected species and the ocean ecosystem we share. Thousands of times each year, our outreach, field response, interventions, rescue and stranding support activities help us move towards our vision of Hawaii’s ocean ecosystem shared in sustainable harmony by humans and marine protected animals such as Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, dolphins, whales and seabirds.

Visit HMARʻs table at the Waikiki Aquarium to learn about HMAR, the work they do, and why they do it.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
FEBRUARY 19, 2026 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Classes and Activities for Groups
Waikīkī Aquarium offers a variety classes for community and family groups from 6 people to 45 people
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Behind the Scenes Tour
Behind the Scenes TourWednesdays at 3:30 pm Learn what makes the Aquarium run, from fish food to qua
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Classes and Activities for Groups
Waikīkī Aquarium offers a variety classes for community and family groups from 6 people to 45 people. Book a Private Aquarium Tour or the interactive Hawaiian Reef Animals encounter for your clan. Or, an Aquarium After Dark or Fish School for your club or scout group.

FEATURED EVENTS

This Valentine’s Day, fall head over fins at Seaduction

Romance is in the water with live music, delicious bites from Chart House Waikīkī, and all the juicy details on how marine animals really do date night

BUY TICKETS
Seaduction 2026 at the Waikīkī Aquarium
Waikiki AquariumHonolulu, HI
Saturday, Feb 14 at 5:30 pm HST
Overview
Join Friends of the Waikīkī Aquarium (FOWA) for an enchanting evening at the Waikīkī Aquarium.
Whether you’re celebrating with your Valentine, Galentine or looking to spend an unforgettable evening under the stars, join us for Seaduction. This special evening at the Waikīkī Aquarium will feature live music, local food and drink partners, and an opportunity to learn about the different mating and reproductive systems of marine animals who reside at the Aquarium. There are three seating options: General Admission, Table for Two (34 tables) and Table for Eight (1 table).

Use gallery layout (below) and photos to assist with table selection.
5:30 p.m. Champagne Reception with Live Harpist & Explore the Galleries
6:15 p.m. Seating Begins
6:30 p.m. Dinner Service Begins
8:00 p.m. Evening Ends

The evening’s menu will feature a culinary experience provided by Chart House Waikiki.

Menu - Table for Two and Table for Eight
Appetizer: Mixed green salad with mango dressing
Entrée (choice of one) served with choice of mashed potatoes or white rice
Miso Butterfish served with marinated mixed veggies
Ora King Salmon with lemon dill beurre blanc & fried capers
Herb Roasted Prime Rib, slow roasted, house-made aujus & horseradish cream sauce
Vegan Loco Moco, served with brown rice
Coconut Vegan Curry Tofu served with brown rice
Dessert: NY Caramel Cheesecake or Haupia

Guests can pair their meal with either red or white wine. Sparkling cider available for non-alcoholic option. Tables of Two will be contacted to confirm your wine selection in advance.

Menu - General Admission on the Lawn
Appetizer: Mixed green salad with mango dressing
Entrees:
Island mahi-mahi with mac nut & mango salsa or Atlantic Salmon with lemon dill beurre blanc & fried capers
Garlic mochiko chicken or BBQ chicken with house made BBQ sauce
Vegan coconut curry (upon request)
Sides: Rice, fried noodles, stir fry veggies
Dessert: Mini creme brulee

Beverages will be available for purchase at the bar.

This event is non-refundable. Will be held rain or shine.

Interested in proposing during this romantic outing? Email the FOWA membership office at membership@waquarium.org or visit the front desk for more details.
BUY TICKETS

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VISIT WAIKIKI AQUARIUM WEBSITE

SUPPORT WAIKIKI AQUARIUM
Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium
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Become a Member
Becoming a Friends of the Waikīkī Aquarium (FOWA) member enables marine life enthusiasts of all ages
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LISTEN TO GREAT INTERVIEW

Interview with Hawaii Public Radio Business of the Arts
Listen to a great interview about Waikiki Aquarium's history, staff, causes and much more.

Founded in 1904 and administered by the University of Hawai'i at Manoa since 1919, the Waikiki Aquarium is located on the shoreline of Waikiki Beach next to a living reef and across from Kapiolani Park. The Aquarium -- second oldest in the U.S. -- showcases more than 500 marine species, and maintains more than 3,500 marine specimens. Public exhibits, education programs and research focus on the unique aquatic life of Hawai'i and the tropical Pacific.

The Aquarium welcomes more than 320,000 visitors annually, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except Honolulu Marathon Sunday and Christmas Day. Admission is $12 for visitors; $8 for local residents and active duty military with ID, $5 for senior citizens and juniors ages four to 12; and free for children three and under and Friends of Waikiki Aquarium (FOWA) members.

MISSION:

To inspire and promote understanding, appreciation and conservation of Pacific marine life.

DESCRIPTION:

Founded in 1904, the Waikiki Aquarium is the second oldest public aquarium in the United States. A part of the University of Hawai`i at Manoa since 1919, it is located next to a living reef on the Waikiki shoreline. Exhibits, programs, and research focus on the aquatic life of Hawai`i and the tropical Pacific, with roughly 320,000 people visiting the Aquarium each year. Over 3,500 organisms are on exhibit representing more than 500 species of aquatic animals and plants.

EXHIBITS:

Waikiki Aquarium exhibits focus on the diversity of aquatic, shoreline and coral reef habitats and living communities of Hawai`i and the tropical Pacific. Among the highlights:

Corals Are Alive! interactive exhibits showcasing corals, their biology and conservation
Sea Visions Theatre shows videos that illustrate shoreline conservation and how you can be a responsible reef visitor
South Pacific Marine Communities features South Pacific habitats and species, including colorful reef corals and fishes,giant clams, groupers and snappers and intriguing partnerships such asanemone fishes and their host sea anemones
Hawaiian Marine Communities recreates Hawaiian habitats from wave-swept surge zone to deep reef slopes, and from young to ancient reefs; celebrates distinctive reef life, including the longnose butterfly fish
Ocean Drifters Gallery features a1,000-gallon moon jelly tank and a seasonally changing jelly wall that may contain white-spotted jellies, blue blubbers, sea nettles, box jellies and ctenophores
Hunters on the Reef 35,000-gallon exhibits home to Hawaiian sharks and jacks; shark interpretive panels introduce shark biology, research, conservation and safety. New Spyball camera provides up close shark encounters in real time on a television screen
Edge of the Reef naturalistic shoreline exhibit offering opportunities for supervised observation and hands-on interactions with selected marine life
The Coral Farm exhibit and working research facility for propagation of reef corals
Giant Clams exhibit and working research facility for propagation of clams
Hawaiian Monk Seal Habitat features the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal found only in the Hawaiian Islands
Aquaculture features moi, a popular food fish, whose numbers have declined in the wild
Coastal Gardens with native Hawaiian plants adapted for life close to the sea

ENDANGERED SPECIES:

Hawaiian monk seals; ‘öhai (endemic Hawaiian coastal plant)

UNIQUE SPECIES:

Pacific giant clams; Hawaiian stream gobies; raredeep-reef butterflyfish; bearded armorheads; masked angelfish; and diversenative coastal plants

CONSERVATION & RESEARCH:

The Waikiki Aquarium is a working research facility,conducting numerous conservation and research programs, including:

Husbandry, nutrition and behavior of aquatic and marineaquarium specimens
Husbandry and propagation of chamberednautilus
Spawning behavior, larval rearing, and propagationpotential of selected reef fishes
Identification & treatment of diseases, parasiteinfections and other ailments of aquarium marine life
Coral husbandry, propagation and conservation
Hawaiian monk seal metabolic and bacteriologicalresearch
Giant clam husbandry and propagation
Sea jelly husbandry and propagation
Deep reef coral research
Coral Ark: archiving and husbandry of rare Hawaiiancorare deep-reefrals

EDUCATION PROGRAMS:

The Waikiki Aquarium offers numerous education programs,including:

Interpretive services: staff or volunteers enrich the visitor experience with explanations of the exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences
Self-tour opportunities for individuals and groups: interpretive graphics & exhibits, handouts are available.
School Program: presentations and docent-assisted tours for school groups, grades K - 6
Outreach and special request presentations for schools and community groups
Community Enrichment Program: year-round natural history field trips, classes, and workshops for children, families, and adults
Information services: staff answer questions from visitors & community on marine and aquarium-science related topics

OPPORTUNITIES:

The Waikiki Aquarium affords a number of opportunities to get involved through:

Membership: Join the Friends of the Waikïkï Aquarium (FOWA) to enjoy the annual benefits of free admission, 20% discount at the Natural Selections gift shop, quarterly mailings of our beautiful and informative magazine Kilo i'a, free salt water pick-up, and facility rental privileges at "Family" and "Family Plus" levels. To select the membership level right for you,please see the Visitor Services staff or contact Events and Membership Manager Raina Fujitani at (808) 440-9008 for more information.
Volunteerism: When you donate your time and curiosity to the Waikiki Aquarium, you are rewarded with diverse and challenging opportunities to help make a difference!

Education-- Docents provide on-site presentations and tours to elementary school groups and provide outreach programs for school and community groups. Interpreters at the Edge of the Reef exhibit assist visitors and provide up-close observations of Hawaiian marine life.
Live Exhibits -- Assist with husbandry, tank maintenance and feeding.
Natural Selection Shop -- Assist with stocking inventory and sales.
Membership/PublicRelations/Special Events - Assist with bulk mail outs & communications with Aquarium members, public relations surveys, record-keeping and special events.

AWARDS:

The Waikiki Aquarium has received several awards for its research and conservation efforts, including:

2008 Keep It Hawai`i Award
2003 Munson Aquatic Conservation Exhibit (M.A.C.E.) Award from the American Zoo & Aquarium Association (AZA) for South Pacific Marine Communities exhibit
2003 Edward H. Bean Award from AZA for Long Term Tropical Pacific Coral Propagation Program

DIRECTOR: Dr. Andrew Rossiter

EMPLOYEES: 35 full-time, 36 part-time, 33 affiliate staff

HOURS: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (except Honolulu Marathon Sunday and Christmas Day)

ADMISSION: $12 for visitors; $8 for local residents and active duty military with ID, $5 for senior citizens and juniors ages four to 12; and free for children three and under and Friends of Waikiki Aquarium (FOWA) members.

Questions? Ready for an appointment?

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Waikiki Get Down - Honolulu, Hawaii Event Calendar Item

Family Fun At The Waikiki Aquarium - FEBRUARY 2026 Events And Programs

Waikiki Get Down - Honolulu, Hawaii
Event Calendar Item