Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens

An enticing and eyecatching mix of plants and animals, both native and exotic

Spy the state bird, the nene (pronounced neh-neh), plus ibis, macaws, parrots, pueo (owl), amakihi honeycreepers, whistling tree ducks and more.

The reigning reptiles are the Asian Forest Tortoises, which weigh 50-85 pounds and have large carapaces of 16-24 inches.

The free zoo also has a variety of turtles, geckos and iguanas, red tegu lizards, skinks, frogs and a butterfly house. 

Botanical wonders include the Giant Victoria Waterlily, which seasonally blooms 18-inch blossoms during the summer.

Gracing the zoo grounds are numerous varieties of trees; palms — including the showy red sealing wax; shrubs; exotics; plus plants used by ancient Hawaiians: taro, ti, tree fern, banana and awa.

Open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

Petting zoo open from 1:30-2:30p.m. Saturdays.