City in final negotiations to bring giant pandas to Honolulu Zoo

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Honolulu may soon become home to giant pandas.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said the city is in the final stages of negotiations to bring the iconic bears to the Honolulu Zoo.

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Blangiardi announced this week that Honolulu has received unofficial approval from Chinese President Xi Jinping, moving the city ahead of other applicants seeking to host the endangered animals.

“I’ve been told officially we’ve got the go-ahead from President Xi Jinping, which is a big green light,” Blangiardi said. “We’ve been moved into the number-one position over San Francisco.”

Honolulu was one of about a dozen applicants hoping to borrow giant pandas from China, which owns nearly all giant pandas worldwide and loans them to select zoos through international conservation agreements.

City leaders believe pandas would become a major attraction for both residents and visitors.

“Honolulu needs more things and it definitely needs things to attract people, especially to the zoo,” said Honolulu resident Lee Spitler, who frequently visits the zoo with his family.

The Honolulu Zoo currently welcomes about 500,000 visitors annually. Zoo officials say attendance increased by approximately 10% over the past year, and city leaders expect pandas could further boost visitation while benefiting nearby hotels, restaurants and businesses in Waikiki.

Only a handful of giant pandas currently reside in U.S. zoos, making the animals a rare attraction nationwide.

Residents and visitors alike say the addition would enhance educational opportunities and encourage repeat visits.

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“I’m actually a teacher and I teach second grade, so we actually do extinct and endangered animals,” said Honolulu resident Ashley Nakazato. “Seeing a panda in person for the students would be great.”

Tourist Shelly Hall of Indianapolis said pandas would provide another reason to return to Hawaii.

“It would make you want to come back because you would see a panda, and there’s not many in all the zoos,” Hall said.

Blangiardi said the city is now working through final agreements and logistical details with Chinese officials.

The cost of constructing a panda exhibit has not yet been determined. City officials said bids for the project cannot be solicited until formal approval is received from the Chinese government.

If an agreement is finalized, Honolulu officials say the zoo would work closely with Chinese experts and follow established international standards for giant panda care and conservation.

Blangiardi said bringing pandas to Honolulu would significantly elevate the zoo’s profile.

“I think if we’re successful in bringing the pandas here, it’ll be just great for the zoo, for our local families, just for everybody, because they’re just a major attraction no matter where they are in the world,” he said.

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