Came for a field trip on a promising sunny Tuesday morning only for it to start pouring as we were wrapping up a netting activity at the stream. As we made our way back to the picnic tables before heading to the meadow, our thoughtful guide handed out ponchos for the children which kept them from getting even more soaked. With no end of the rain subsiding, we continued on with catching crickets and other insects in the tall grass, and finished with a semi-slippery hike up above the stream. Overall, I would come here again rain or shine. Not only was it educational for the kids, but for the adults as well. read more

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An amazing place to attend a birthday party. On a nice day the weather worked out perfectly with soft breezes and sunny skies. We really lucked out. Six wooden picnic tables overlooking the stream. A refrigerator to store the cake and drinks. Sinks for handwashing. Areas for kids to run around and play. The teacher guide Pauline was so patient. Pauline was there to help with taking kids on a hike, craft making activities and a trip to the river for fishing. The small hike was manageable. Craft making was a way for kids to be creative. Fishing for krill and toads was a way for the kids to burn excess energy. Bring sunscreen and lotsa bug repellent! Such a fun event outdoors and a learning experience even for the adults! read more

Hawaii Nature Center - Kids crafts - Educational Services Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I love Hawaii Nature Center! I took my children to hikes, craft events, trail runs, adventure camps. Now I'm taking my grandchildren! My grandson attended 2025 summer adventure camps, and I took my granddaughter on the Spring weekend programs. HURT and the Center held a trail run in September and my grandson had a blast! Love Pauline and all the workers, too! Pauline is so knowledgeable and friendly! I!m currently a member and it's in Auto-renew! read more

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Gorgeous, less crowded so you can truly enjoy being surrounded by lush scenery and wildlife.

Hikers park in the lot at the bottom of the street then go up and around the long way rather than walk along the paved road. The path is a lot longer to reach the trailhead and it's muddy so after you wash your shoes be prepared and bring a change of shoes for your car! There's a decent amount of parking but it does fill up, and the trail is clearly marked and easy to follow (aka, I trust myself not to get lost!!) It's a decent workout- and the loop means you have a different view of stuff throughout the hike, vs having to turn around and go back the same way. It takes me about 1.5 hours to do the ~3 mile loop. If you go with kids or people who take their time, plan on at least 2.5 hours. If you turn right at the bench and trail map sign at the beginning of the trail, that side is dryer, and is a steeper ascent, but the other 2 parts of the loop are mostly downhill. If you go left, it's lusher and muddier but mostly uphill at a less steep slope for more of the trail. There's 2 bench spots on the trail you can sit and rest at. There's a few water crossings, but it's not deep. Dog friendly! The beginning of the trail has several signs marking the types of plants, and 2 bridges that go over rivers. I know they do kids education programs and I think they do a great job in the community. The gate closes at sunset. I've never been locked in, but have gotten stuck past sunset the time I brought a friend who brought a baby so we were slowed down and had to do the last mile by my phone's flashlight. That was gnarly!! read more

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We had my daughter's birthday party there and everyone had a great time, kids and parents. Jana, our guide/teacher for the event was amazing! Would definitely recommend to friends! read more

I've been able to experience the Hawaii Nature Center as a teacher, as a family member attending a birthday party, and as a parent, and I am so impressed by what this place has to offer! My son attended weekly camp last semester when he was homeschooled and now he attends the camps over school break. He still asks when he can go back :) The counselors are so patient with the kids, and there are so many interesting places to explore (the stream, the many hikes, the chicken coop, the butterfly plants, the bug log, etc.) that he loves his time there. As a teacher I appreciate that the counselors offered to tailor their lessons to match our units. All of the counselors I've worked with at the Nature Center seem to have a lot of experience working with young children and know how to keep them engaged and encourage them to ask questions and explore their environment. read more

We came here for my daughter's preschool field trip. Yes, a bunch of 3 to 5 year olds running around. The Nature Center provided a great outing for the kids, we started with an introduction of the forest with story time. Went onto a 30-minutes hike up the hills, exploring different leaves, trees and insect sounds, then came back to the center to play some kid's activities like jumping like a grasshopper, petting rabbits, digging for worms and etc. TIPS - Must wear insect repellent and shoes. The Nature Center also have programs for non-school events, like birthday parties, or just a family time to explore the woods. read more

Hawaii Nature Center - Educational Services Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

We had a bunch of 6 yr old boys here for a birthday party and they got down and dirty and had a great time. There were two parts to the 2hr guided nature hike/tour: NATURE HIKE 1. Collect items to make a TERRARIUM...The boys (and a few brave girls)dug for worms, picked up rocks, sticks, leaf skeletons, seedlings, bugs, slugs, snails and piled them into a bucket.... (Since my son doesn't usually get to dig for worms, I think this was the highlight of the whole entire experience). 2. Along the way, they saw the Lo'i Kalo (taro patch), a colony of bees, and different types of flora/fauna. They also learned about decomposers, and a little bit about the life cycles of the plants/animals. The hike was short and easy, slightly uphill, and was very muddy and slippery. A few kids slipped on the way down, so you've been warned...they were covered with mud by the end of the trail... TIP: 1. WEAR INSECT REPELLANT. 2. Wear shoes that you don't mind getting all muddy. 3. WEAR BUG SPRAY. 4. Wear long sleeved shirts/long pants. 5. SPRAY THAT BUG SPRAY ALL OVER YOU. I had long sleeves with cuffs, long pants (with no openings) and sprayed my neck and face but the mosquitos still managed to bite my ass through my pants. (!!) When the boys got back to the pavillion, they assembled their terrariums. Miss Michelle was awesome and really got the kids into designing and building a self-sustaining ecosystem in their jar. The kids would have been completely happy with that, but then it was time for part 2: FISHING in Makiki Stream: The Hawaii Nature Center provided the nets for all the kids and Michelle took them down to the stream and explained where the best places were to find fish. Since it had just rained, the water was brown but all the kids managed to catch shrimp or fish and put them in in the buckets. They released their catch after they were finished (most of them did, anyway). TIP: 1. WEAR BUG SPRAY. 2. In a large group of boys, there is a very good chance that one of them will either jump in or get very wet. BRING EXTRA CLOTHES AND DRY SHOES. 3. WEAR INSECT REPELLANT. 4. Make sure your son does not put the shrimp in his pocket to take home. 5. Blah blah blah...BUG SPRAY. Birthday party for a bunch of boys=Awesome! read more

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I was a chaperone for my daughter's 1st grade field trip here this week. We had so much fun! Sarah was our amazing and friendly guide for 3 educational adventures: a hike, a habitat building activity in the stream, and a bug hunt. Each part had an educational presentation that was interactive and the kids could ask/answer questions. The grounds were well kept and the terrain was relatively easy to navigate. I would come back again as a family activity, it was well worth it! The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is because one of the guides, Misty, was unnecessarily rude to the school staff about the way the 3 school classes were distributed. That was a little awkward for everyone involved, and I was glad she didn't wind up being our guide for the day. Other than that, it was a perfect day of adventure! read more

Watch out for the automatic SNAP fee which adds 6% to your cost!! I've been sending my children to Hawaii Nature Center for about 4 years during the summer, including hosting his birthday party there. I'm completely shocked to learn this summer (2018) you can ONLY register online and pay a hefty "FEE" to do so. This fee automatically tacks on to your cart total without any prior warning, notification, description, etc. Luckily I paid attention to my total before hitting "submit payment" as there was NO NOTIFICATION online of this new fee! I had to call in to the office to ask what this fee was for and it seemed it was new to them as well. It's a ridiculously expensive fee which will cost me an additional $50.40 for one week or 6% (!!!) of the total activity cost!! WOW I'm very disappointed to learn about this and how their processing change has made it more costly to send my children there. read more

We just attended a birthday party (for a large group of energetic 5 year olds) at the Hawaii Nature Center - and it was FANTASTIC. The Nature Center provided (very patient) guides who led the kids on a bug hunt in a nearby field and fishing for shrimp in the adjacent stream. After a break for birthday cake, they concluded with a fun craft activity. The kids were excited and engaged the entire time. There's a covered area with tables, as well as bathrooms. Not sure what the exact cost is, but the mom hosting the party said it was reasonable. Would definitely recommend the Nature Center as an option for a fun birthday party. Even if you're not attending a party, the Nature Center is the starting point of many trails/hikes into Makiki. We already have plans to take visiting family members here. Limited parking available (small lot). Bring LOTS of bug spray!!! read more

Hawaii Nature Center - Educational Services Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I went on a field trip today with a 1st grade class. this place is in makiki & around by tantalus area. once we got there there were 3 people who split the class in half to show them seperate areas. the first area we went to was the fishing area. we hiked down a trail (not too long) & our mentor showed us how to capture little shrimp in nets. dont worry we put them back in the stream haha. oh and i must warn you to wear mosquito repellent because there is the load of mosquitos there! very itchy! esp if you're with kids. orrr you could wear pants and a long sleeve. the second area we went to was the grasshopper field. yes this was cool! we got little jars to capture grasshoppers and we also put them back in the meadow. the kids loved this activity! the third area we went to was a hike. this hike was kind of long. we experienced all the plants & habitats on the hike & saw a taro farm. the kids were kind of grumbling but having fun at the same time because there were so much to see on this hike. it rained the night before so it was kind of muddy (which was not fun for me) lol overall, this is a fun & adventerous place for kids & they said they also do bday parties & camps there. wow! read more

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EXCELLENT! My two boys just completed a week of summer camp with the Hawaii Nature Center and it was amazing. Great learning, beautiful environment, kind. counselors, and well organized. What a week to be in nature with learning and fun. We will be doing this again for sure and I hope to have them enrolled in the homeschool science program come fall! read more

Went here for a field trip with my grade level. By far the BEST field trip I've been on in quite some time. I believe the program is different for different age groups, so this review is based on the one for first graders. This program focuses on living things (e.g., basic needs, habitats, food chain). When the students first arrive, they are taken into a meeting area where one of the leader goes over the needs of living things. She introduces the three types of habitats the students will be seeing during their visit (e.g., meadow, stream, forest). She then brings out plants and animals from each of these habitats and gets the kids to decide which habitat it belongs to. She did a great job frontloading the information for the students so they would be familiar with what they were seeing when they entered each habitat. The group is then broken up into three smaller groups to visit each of the habitats. My group went to the stream first. Our leader talked to the students about more animals and plants that they would be seeing. He then told the students that they would be going fishing in the stream. However, they had to get into groups and create a habitat for their creatures before they could go fishing. They had to have shelter, food, and water in their container before they could get their nets. This was an excellent expectation for the students because it enforced what living things need. The next habitat we went to was the meadow. Before entering the meadow, our leader did a food chain activity with the students. They were dressed up as different parts of the food chain. It started with the sun, then the grass gets food from the sun, then the grasshopper eats the grass, and so forth. The kids really liked dressing up as the different animals and creating a food chain together. It was a great visual! The students were then given clear plastic jars to go out into the meadow as they tried to catch any creature they could find. There were grasshoppers and katydids out there. Some were too fast for the kids, but they all gave it their best efforts. The last habitat we visited was the forest. It was quite muddy and mosquitoes were abundant! However, the kids were really good sports about it and trudged on. Some parts of the hike were actually pretty steep or high, but the kids put on their best risk-taking attitudes and kept moving without complaints. I was so proud of them! We came across a snail shell as huge as a human hand and quite a few shama thrush birds who were singing their beautiful songs. Each habitat had a song catchy song that reviewed what was to be learned from each habitat. They all were sung to the tune of 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'. Overall, this is an extremely worthwhile experience for children. They got to experience habitats and living things through a wonderful hands-on experience. Hawaii Nature Center also offers a variety of programs that families can attend on their own. I heard it can be kind of pricey, but it's worth it. Hawaii Nature Center has a very professional staff that are knowledgeable about what they are teaching and know how to effectively work with children. Tips: 1) Wear shoes and junky clothes. It WILL be muddy and you WILL get dirty. Just know that and get over it. 2) Bring mosquito repellent. These bad boys are all over the place! They come in swarms, too. read more

BEST PLACE EVER!!! This was one of the field trips we went to through the Hula Conference. They have many things tailored to teaching kids all about the land and how to preserve and respect it. Sometimes you need to listen to how they lecture 4th graders to get that "ahhhh ha" moment. The way our guide Jamie taught us about how the hawaiian islands were formed was the cutest thing ever. Very interactive...very informative. The hike after the lecture was beautiful. Afterward she brought us up the hill to a beautiful view of the whole Waikiki area. A halau sister who grew up here told me she had a childhood birthday party here one year and she LOVED IT...if you have kids...you should bring them to the camp here. Worth it...very worth it read more

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Great trail system! Can't get bored of it because you can start at any trail head. Just watch out for fallen trees. When there's heavy rain there's at least a fallen tree somewhere on the trails. Love the trails! Great to run thru the trees than on the road! Just love to run the trails when its raining....dangerous - yes! But love to get muddy and then go out eat somewhere right after! LOL! read more

Great weekend programs for keiki. Top-notch educators and great nature experiences. We attended three classes and loved all of them! read more

Hawaii Nature Center - Educational Services Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I took my students here for a field trip today. We had Ms Brooke as your guide. She was so incredibly patient with my students. I warned her ahead of time that my students are a little rambunctious and she just rolled with it. She kept them preoccupied and engaged the entire day. When the students started to become off tasked, she quickly moved on to a new activity. The day started under a covered area where she reviewed the plant, gas, water, nutrient, animal life cycles. She reviewed all the material with the students and then we were off. We started on a trail up through the forest which lead to a stream. We talked about the water cycle in more detail and then the students went fishing in the stream. The students decided this was a great time to get wet, so many of them hoped into the water. We then continued through out the trail stopping along the way to talk about the other cycles of plants, gas, nutrients and animal cycles. The students loved talking about the nutrient cycle and loved looking for worms in the mud. This was a great day for the students. They were covered head to toe in mosquito bites, mud, and soaked to the bone but they were happy. Kudos to Ms. Brooke for working with our class and having the patience of a saint. I would highly recommend the Hawaii Nature Center for a field trip or just to go hike around. read more

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Came here for a birthday party and the place is magnificent. Better then I thought it was going to be. The trail wasn't very muddy and the activities were awesome for adults and for the kids. Definitely recommend this place if you want to get away from the normal kids parties like Chuck E Cheese and Dave and Busters. It's different and the kids play too much electronics anyway. Take a break from life and enjoy nature. read more

I am a teacher and i took my kindergarteners here for a field trip and it was amazing!!!!! We had a guide (mr. Taylor) who was amazing with the kids. He knew how to work with them so well and the kids had a blast! It was nice to see the kids get a little dirty in nature, at first they were apprehensive but they soon were having fun. Kids need to play in mud sometimes and unfortunately many kids aren't given that opportunity. I LOVED IT!!!! Best field trip I have ever taken my kids to! read more

Hawaii Nature Center - Educational Services Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Went with a large group of 2nd graders for a field trip. I've never been myself. The guides are very knowledgeable and keep the kids entertained by first gathering all of them into a space for them to sit around while the guides questioned them about plant life and the elements which corresponded with what they had learned within the past weeks. The 2nd graders were than broken up into 3 groups with their classroom teachers, aids and guides that work there. It was adventures and fun. Lots of walking over huge tree roots so had to be careful not to trip. Some parts were steep and certain areas the ground was damp so wear your old clothes and walking shoes which you don't mind getting dirty. Lots of mosquitos so make sure you put insect repellant on! And also a insulated water bottle because it really gets hot because of the many trees and vegetation around there is not much wind flow. There were breaks in between that guides did to entertain the kids and ask the kids questions. They took us down to the small stream area which was neat! Kids were given fish nets to see what could be found in the water. My very first time seeing tiny grass shrimps! Two of the students found small black cone shaped snails. All things captured were replaced back into the stream. I highly recommend this place for educational knowledge and I plan to go back and hike with friends up to the higher trails. It feels great being surrounded by the beauty of nature. read more

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Yes I'm 30 and yes I had more fun at a 6 year old's birthday party here than most other birthday parties i've ever attended! Mind you, I even make this statement considering I did not get to build my own terrarium or go fishing because I had to cut my fun short to attend another party :( I showed up to said second event with beautiful cherry red mosquito bites on my face...and elsewhere ... so heed Lori I's instructions and advice - WEAR BUG SPRAY, long sleeves, shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty, etc... The facility is really nicely maintained, there is a really awesome play room with a really fast slide (watchout for the lightweight kiddies, they'll fly across the room!) and a great space for parties. There's also an outdoor porch area with picnic tables right in front of a nice full kitchen with serving window so it really makes serving BYO food a breeze. The nature center staff were cute young girls (daddies will have fun too :), knowledgeable and great with kids. I really liked that the "hike"/walk involved stops at different areas along the trail to learn about surroundings, things you needed to find to build the terrarium and other fun facts along the way. Great alternative to the typical party venue and FUN for all ages! read more

The Hawaii Nature Center has been host to the prestigious HURT 100 mile trail ultra-marathon for a good many years. I was here for the 2013 and the most recent 2015 installment of this epic race on MLK weekend. It was definitely amazing to see and experience running Tantalus trails all day and all night for 100 miles. It was definitely a wild and memorable experience for sure. While I wasn't a participant of the race, I helped a friend by pacing with him throughout the night, especially when I am not used to the trails in Tantalus. Why did I do it is the million dollar question. I wasn't sure. I wasn't the trail runner that I am clearly not, but I just did what I needed to do and break free from whatever mental barrier I had and just went for it. If I broke anything, then I would just need to deal with it at it comes. The Hawaii Nature Center is basically the nerve center for the HURT 100 trail race and home to majority of the volunteers who worked 36 hours faithfully and tirelessly to make this event a success. The Hawaii Nature Center is the gateway to the Na Hele Trail system in Honolulu. It was very scenic here and very beautiful. You could tell that the trails here are very well maintained and many people use the trails for health and fitness. You can find inner peace here as well as a quiet place to relax, rejuvenate, and rekindle your spirit away from life in the city. It's a very good place to just get away from the urban city. As well as events and other functions, the Hawaii Nature Center caters to anyone and everyone was well as the avid hiker and outdoorsman. For me, the trails are a very special place and a great source of enjoyment to many people who use the trails on a regular basis. The Hawaii Nature Center is located at the base of Tantalus & Makiki Heights Drive and is the gateway to a couple of trails, namely the Kanealole and Maunalaha trails. The best part of the Hawaii Nature Center is the fact that it's FREE. Yup, FREE Admission. It's definitely great for families for a day outside without costing anything, but time. Discovering nature beyond the urban jungle that is urban Honolulu and getting outside works well to broaden childrens horizon and keeps them curious for anything and everything science and nature. Getting here is logistically easy. There trails here are lush and full of life. The parking here is alright, but its further down the road from the buildings. There is a parking lot, albeit small, but there is one, and there's also street side parking, if available. Hiking is grand here and very much encouraged. If you are like me, the public bus system takes you close to the Hawaii Nature Center, but you'd have to walk about a mile up from the nearest bus stop. For me, it was at Punahou and Nehoa Streets via TheBus route #5 - Manoa Valley. Stop there and walk along Nehoa Street till Makiki Street. Turn right and walk till you hit the fork. Take Makiki Heights Drive and go all the way up till you see the parking on the right hand side. Then walk about 2-3 minutes to the Hawaii Nature Center. I am not sure if the buildings that look like a small school is apart of the Hawaii Nature Center complex, since when I was there, a group of school kids and their parents were doing a group thing, and thought it was a school over there. I wasn't sure though, but I eventually found my group in the main building further up Makiki Heights Drive. The neighborhood surrounding the Hawaii Nature Center is very private, so do respect the area and the trail. Wipe your footwear before and after going on the trail, so you can prevent the spread of seeds and other things from going into the trail system. I'm definitely a fan of the Hawaii Nature Center. If you are an avid hiker or just a fan of the outdoors, come here for a leisurely stroll on the trails before or after work, or make it a day on the trails on the weekend. It can be fun. Support local! A read more

Wonder what to do with your keiki during an odd summer week, or perhaps fall/winter/spring break, after all your intrepid co-workers went and signed up for vacay before you? This happens often to someone like me (who can't think past next week) quite often. When this happens, I highly recommend sending the kids to the Hawaii Nature Center's SNAP (Sensational Nature Adventure) program. These are summer and intersession programs that cater to kids 6-12, and provide an environmentally themed educational camp experience that is actually FUN. The educators are fantastic and teach the kids to Malama the Aina but in a lighthearted way that appeals. My kid has been attending various SNAP programs for years now. I especially love the flexibility of the summer programs (you can sign up for one week at a time - no need to commit to a huge block of time). The setting is just gorgeous, in the back of Makiki valley yet so close to my work in town. The SNAP educators keep the kids busy all day long with projects and activities, and lots and lots of hiking! The day runs 7:45am-3pm with an after care option until 5. If you are a Nature Center member the tuition is discounted. And so nice for kids to escape the concrete jungle. Here is a sample of the current week's program (each week is organized around a theme): Amazing Arthropods - exploring those creepy crawly things under our feet Day 1 - Exploring habitats of arthropods in Makiki Valley -searching in the meadow and learning about their life cycles while fishing in the stream Day 2 - Tide Pool Arthopods - field trip to Makapuu Tide Pools - exploring for crustaceans Day 3 - Crustaceans on land/stream - digging for decomposers on land and in water including pill bugs Day 4 - holiday Day 5 - Arthopods on the trail - Makiki Loop Trail HIke As other Yelpers have mentioned this area is rich in stunning flora and fauna, but also in MUD. We usually save a crappy pair of sneakers for Nature Center weeks, so we don't feel bad about discarding them if they get totally trashed. Anything remotely nice will be encased by mud and constant moisture up there. Your kid needs sunscreen, a good hat,rain poncho, a change of clothes and shoes, and lots and lots of bug spray. Take note if you are a clean freak: the kids will come home filthy, but are good and tired and tend to go to sleep early. That way you can enjoy a glass of wine and veg out in front of the tube in peace. read more

I have had a few meetings here- I have also had the chance to hear a few talks and get in a few walks. I am used to nature and extremely passionate biologists, botanists and fauna lovers. It is small but great to have some opportunities here in HI to have resources needed to teach about nature. I would say that it is not great for toddlers- as it may be too much walking- but older kids it is great to show them the education center and nature itself and get some great info that will help them like nature better. read more

We had a birthday party there for a bunch of 8 year olds. The guided activities was fun for everyone, young and old alike. The kids loved terrarium building, picking up leaves, rocks, digging up worms and bugs. They also couldn't stop talking about the fishes and shrimps in the stream. We went on a partially rainy day so the trail was muddy. But the kids has a blast. If you are the outdoors type, this is perfect introduction. We had access to picnic style tables, their kitchen, frig, etc. So everything was pretty easy. The place was a hair hard to find so definately make signs and give clear instructions. Scouting the place first also helps. Definately worth re-visiting. read more

HNC is a fabulous activity for your kids during school breaks (spring break, summer, fall break, etc). My daughter loves the activities, hiking and exploring they do all day. They learn so much about sustainability and the environment and their part in keeping it all going. Also, they spend the entire day outdoors and are exhausted when they get home! Will continue to sign up when we can. In terms of COVID, I feel very safe sending my daughter there; they have great safety protocols in place. read more

Great organization with many educational programs for keiki and adults. They have school programs for preschool through middle school. They also host birthday parties. They even have an awesome camp whenever kids are off school: the Sensational Nature Adventure Program, "SNAP". That one is for ages 6 to 11. Beautiful surroundings and a hidden gem in the back of Makiki. read more

Hawaii Nature Center - Educational Services Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

The kids love the SNAP! So excited about making fishing poles, and getting their hands dirty. And the after-care which is free play in the wild! read more

My children absolutely love the Nature Center's SNAP program! The highlight of their summer and winter vacations is going to this camp. They are excited to wake up early and head over to Makiki and they come home exhausted and look forward to the next day. The staff is young, friendly, and helpful. Visit the Nature Center, your kids will love it. read more

I decided to enroll my daughter on the winter camp offered by Oahu Nature Center. She enjoyed every minute at the center. All the activities they had planned were very entertaining and educational. The staff is awesome. I will keep choosing this program for the future. read more

I LOVE THIS PLACE! We had our baby's first birthday party here and it was perfect! The birthday package is great for kids aged about 3 to 10, which was perfect cause we had lots of cousins and other kids attend. The activities are so adorable, the price is perfect and everybody had such a great time. During the party they take the kids for a little hike, do some nature activities, and then go fishing in the stream (with nets, its mostly for fun and science rather, its so cute). I love Pauline, I love the Hawaii Nature Center, and I cant wait for my baby to attend their camps or classes when she is a little older! Totally an awesome, gorgeous and unique kids birthday party venue on Oahu! read more

My husband and I came here for a hike, and it was truly a beautiful place. The facilities are very nice as well. There is a hose to wash your feet off before and after your hike (to preserve the delicate eco balance) and some really nice restrooms. The trails are well maintained and really beautiful. I love the proximity of the Nature Center to town, just a few blocks from the city. We took the bus here and it was only a 15 minute walk to get from the closest bus stop to the Nature Center. Parking looked limited, so I was happy that we took the bus! read more

Our son had his 6th birthday party here. The instructor was amazing and wonderful with the kids. We had around 20 children and they were all very well-behaved because she had them engaged in all types of fun activities. It was nice to have the kids play outdoors, learn about nature, and the beautiful Island we live on. It was extremely RELAXING!! Parents were talking story on the benches and eating snacks while the educator worked with the kids. My son said it was the best "birthday ever" and he has never said that before. read more

Our son's Boy Scout troop has had two visits to Hawaii Nature Center and both visits were excellent. During the first visit, the boys hiked and collected stuff to make a closed terrarium. Today's visit was to learn about conservation and the boys learned about endemic plants and helped clear invasive plants. Sharon (?) Nature Center guide, is very good at keeping the boys engaged and on track with the project at hand. This place is a little gem for the community, schools and for any group that wants to learn about nature and spend some time in the great outdoors. read more

My son has attended the HNC's school break camps 3-4 times. It's such a great place to send him. He's outdoors, being exposed to environmental messages, in the sun, moving around ... what could be better?! There are no screens, just the natural environment and caring adults who take good care. read more

This place/ camp is amazing!!! My daughter loves it and begs to stay longer. Educational,fun,safe and all outdoor adventures... can't beat that. Will continue to support this organization. read more

We found the SNAP many years ago and started sending our daughter for day programs when she was in elementary school. At age 16 she is now a volunteer and our son attends SNAP when he has a long school break. We can't say enough good things about the way this program is run. The staff does an amazing job and makes sure the activities are fun and engaging. I picked my son up today from a week at SNAP and he was so happily exhausted. He went hiking, caught crabs, went to the beach to explore and so many other activities. It is a perfect day time program for those long school holidays. read more

My son celebrated his 6th birthday at the Hawaii Nature Center, which is hands-down the most educational party location on the island. The children learned valuable lessons and gained an interest in nature, through a two-hour program with a guided nature walk, bug catching, terrarium building and stream fishing. Our instructor Kekai was outstanding -- super knowledgeable, accommodating and great with kids. The Operations and Volunteer Program Manager Pauline made the planning process a breeze. Prior to the party, she gave us a tour of the facility, and she was professional and responsive to emails. Even the parents had fun joining their kids in activities. Finally, the facilities are great! We had access to clean bathrooms, a kitchen, the education room, and an eating area with picnic tables. Set-up and clean-up was a piece of cake. Thanks to the Nature Center, my son had the BEST birthday ever! read more