HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-17 Reader's Digest blurb re Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo named best zoo in Hawaii -- press release
Harry Kim
Roxcie L. Waltjen
Mayor
Director
Maurice C. Messina
Wil Okabe
Deputy Director
Managing Director
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 6 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
(808) 961-8311 Fax (808) 961-8411
Email: parks_recreation@hawaiicounty.gov
http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/parks-and-recreation/
.
April 17, 2019
NEWS RELEASE
Reader’s Digest Names Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens the Best Zoo in
Hawai‘i
The Reader’s Digest has named the County of Hawai‘i’s Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo the
best zoo in the State of Hawai'i, as part of a review of zoos around the United States.
Here's what they wrote:
“Think you have to book a trip to South America to venture through a rainforest in real life?
Think again. As soon as you step inside this Hawaii hotspot, which is the only tropical zoo in the
United States, you’ll feel like you’re in the Amazon, surrounded by giant orchids, walls of
bamboo, and 80 different animal species. Wander through the rainforest (it gets over 125 inches
of rain per year!) as you watch spider monkeys and lemurs swing from the trees and listen to the
caws of colorful parrots.”
The link to the Reader’s Digest article is here: https://www.rd.com/advice/travel/best-zoo-
every-state/
The 12-acre Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens in Hilo is the only zoo in the United
States located in a rainforest. It is operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation,
and admission is free.
“We are so proud of this precious gem of a zoo and botanical gardens, which is kept so
wonderfully thanks to the hard work of our staff and dedicated Friends of the Zoo and
many other volunteers,” said Parks and Recreation Director Roxcie Waltjen.
“This recognition by the Reader’s Digest is a wonderful affirmation of our Zoo, which
means so much to our community, visitors and especially our keiki,” Waltjen said.
Visit the zoo’s website at https://www.hilozoo.org/home.html or call 808-959-9233.
Open every day except Christmas and New Year’s Day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.