Honolulu Zoo unveils upgraded exhibits, targets giant pandas from China

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Honolulu Zoo has officially unveiled nearly $1 million in upgrades to its hippopotamus and African penguin exhibits, all while city leaders eye a new attraction: giant pandas.

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During a grand reopening ceremony alongside students from Jefferson Elementary School, Honolulu Zoo Director John Berry celebrated the upgrades. Among the highlights is a state-of-the-art water filtration system for the zoo’s two resident hippos, Louise and Mara.

“It could power pretty much half the city of Honolulu just to handle the cleaning of the water of the two hippos,” Berry said of the robust new filtration system.

The push for pandas

Beyond the upgraded habitats, city officials are actively negotiating with China to bring giant pandas to Hawaiʻi. Berry, who brings “panda cred” to his new role, previously led the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., during the era of beloved pandas Ling-Ling, Mei Xiang, and their cub, Tai Shan.

“It was such a thrill,” Berry recalled. “The whole city was involved.”

While Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Berry toured a potential site at the zoo Tuesday, they are keeping the exact location under wraps.

“The Chinese have to finally approve the space. We have options in front of them and we are in negotiations over which they believe would be the most beneficial,” Berry said.

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The proposed exhibit would span approximately 120,000 square feet—nearly two and a half acres—and feature chilled water and caves to keep the pandas cool and comfortable. The city is working with the University of Hawai’i on the chilling features, and the site would also include an educational zone for children.

High-profile delegation

The negotiations follow a diplomatic mission to China from mid-April to early May. The Honolulu delegation included Mayor Blangiardi, his Mandarin-speaking wife, Karen Chang, Panda Express co-founder and co-CEO Andrew Cherng, and Aloun Farms president and general manager Alec Sou.

During the trip, the group visited the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Blangiardi noted that Hawaiʻi can grow the four Chinese varieties of bamboo that make up the pandas’ specialized diet.

While a typical 10-year loan for two giant pandas reportedly costs zoos $10 million, the city has not confirmed any official figures.

Blangiardi stated he plans to seek private donations to fund the endeavor, which he predicts would triple the zoo’s annual attendance.

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