The Honolulu Zoo sits at the edge of Waikiki inside Queen Kapiʻolani Park, occupying 42 acres at the corner of Kapahulu Avenue and Kalakaua Boulevard. Its origins trace back to 1876 when King David Kalākaua dedicated the land for public use, making it the only zoo in the United States founded on a royal land grant. Although animals had been exhibited there since the early 1900s, the zoo was formally established in 1947 and has since grown into a major attraction housing between 900 and 1,200 animals.Visitors can explore a wide range of species arranged by tropical ecological zones, including the African Savanna, Asian and American Tropical Forests, and Pacific Islands. Highlights include black rhinos, giraffes, lions, Sumatran tigers, orangutans, flamingos, Komodo dragons, and more. Families often enjoy the Keiki Zoo, a hands‑on area featuring goats, sheep, and guinea pigs. The zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, with last entry at 4:30 pm, and offers paid parking on Kapahulu Avenue, with occasional free parking at The Shell on Monsarrat Avenue.