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The beginnings of aquarium history can be traced back to the 1820s. Through the mid-1800s aquariums displayed
rarely exceeded ten gallons, a size used often today in homes and offices. In the United States, the first public
aquarium opened in Boston in 1859.
The Waikīkī Aquarium opened on March 19, 1904; it is the third oldest
aquarium in the United States. Its
adjacent neighbor on Waikīkī Beach is the Natatorium War Memorial.
Then known as the Honolulu Aquarium, it was established as a commercial
venture by the Honolulu Rapid Transit and Land Company, who wished to
"show the world the riches of Hawaii's reefs".
It was also a practical objective of using the Aquarium as a means of
enticing passengers to ride to the end of the new trolley line in Kapi‘olani
Park, where the Aquarium was located. (The
trolley terminus was across Kalākaua
Avenue from the Aquarium, near the current tennis courts.)
Many in the community hoped that the Honolulu Aquarium would help
develop a flagging tourism industry with the Aquarium serving as a “point of
interest.”
Author Jack London called it a "wonderful orgy of color and
form" from which he had to tear himself away after each visit.
When the property lease expired in 1919, the Cooke Estate ceded the
Aquarium's property lease to the Territory of Hawai‘i, and the newly formed
University of Hawai‘i assumed administration of the Aquarium and the
laboratory.
During these early years (1919 - 1973) admissions to the Aquarium were
deposited to the State General Fund and did not return to the Aquarium for
upkeep.
It was renamed the Waikīkī Aquarium following its reconstruction in
1955.
Compounding the financial and maintenance difficulties was the moving
of the research function of the Aquarium to two new University institutions:
the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) at Coconut Island in Kāne‘ohe Bay, and the Pacific Biomedical
Research Center.
In 1975, when Dr. Leighton Taylor was appointed the third Director many
positive changes came to the Aquarium and is credited for saving the aquarium
from closing.
The logo, Education Department, Volunteer Program, library, research
facility, gift shop, Friends of the Waikīkī Aquarium support organization and
the first Exhibits Master Plan (1978) all came into being during his tenure.
By accepting donations, memberships and grants, the Aquarium was able
to fund increased services and to renovate exhibits.
In April 2004, after an extensive international search, Dr. Andrew
Rossiter was appointed the fifth Director, joining the Aquarium at the onset of
its 100th Anniversary celebrations.
His long-term ambition at the Aquarium is to increase public awareness
of the ecology and conservation of marine life and reef habitats through
aquarium exhibits, research and education.
The Waikīkī Aquarium is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily –
general admission is $9; kama‘aina - $6
Special hours: Thanksgiving Day (November 22, 2012) 9:00 a.m. to 2:30
p.m. (facility closes at 3:00 p.m.); New Year's Day (January 1, 2013) 11:00
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (facility closes at 5:00 p.m.) and is Closed for the Honolulu
Marathon Day (December 9, 2012) and Christmas Day (December 25, 2012.)
The image, from the University of Hawai‘i, shows the Waikīkī Aquarium
in 1921. In addition, I have included
several other aquarium and related images in a folder of like name in the
Photos section (Courtesy of Waikīkī Aquarium) on my Facebook page.
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