Spotlight on Hawaii

MAUI OCEAN CENTER

A NEW HAWAIIAN AQUARIUM

 Where can you come nose to nose with an amazing Tiger Shark and see marine life found nowhere else on Earth, without even getting your toes wet?  Maui Ocean Center, the Hawaiian Aquarium!

 Whether or not you are a marine enthusiast by nature, you will soon find yourself marveling at the spectacular displays and fascinated by the enjoyable and informative presentations given throughout the day by the park's Ocean Naturalists.

 This unforgettable journey guides you from black lava shorelines and white sandy beaches, descending past live corals and brilliantly colored tropical fish, lava tubes and sea caves.  You will see breathtaking open ocean marine life through an acrylic tunnel in the middle of an enormous 750,000-gallon aquarium where amazing sharks pass above and below you.

 In the Whale Discovery Center adults and children have fun with interactive, hands-on displays and witness the wonder, majesty, and mystery of Hawaii's humpback whale.

 The Aquarium's newest exhibit, Hawaiians and the Sea, provides a fascinating look at ancient Hawaii, and the importance of  this unique marine world to her people.

 It's easy to lose track of time in this wonderful setting, so it's good to know that when hunger strikes there's Seascape Maalaea Restaurant.  Linger and enjoy the warm Maui sun, breathtaking view, and sumptuous Pacific Rim cuisine in this full service restaurant.  For a light lunch or snack, there's the Reef Café.

 A visit to the Maui Ocean Center is full of amazing surprises, and one of them is the Maui Ocean Center Store.  Visitors and residents alike return here again, and again for the exquisite jewelry, art, crafts, clothing and books that make this one of Maui's most exciting shopping destinations.  The largest tropical aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, Maui Ocean Center is centrally located, just minutes from major resorts.  For information call: 808-270-7000.