Mokupāpapa Discovery Center

From Hilo Farmers Market, we walked to this quick stop where kids could play a little bit. It smells like a museum, it has some cool sea animal learning stuff, but no real animals. There is a playground like a polynesian boat that the kids played a little bit.

Free hidden gem! My one day in Hilo was impacted by pouring rain all day long. Found this museum by chance strolling down the street. Small but mighty! Interactive exhibits are fun for kids and informative for adults. I especially enjoyed the sections on ocean trash… and turtles… and seals… and WWII… oh, heck, I enjoyed it all! A great way to spend a couple hours when it’s raining, a break from the outdoors, or just something different to do when in Hilo.

Nice museum, well-laid out, interesting exhibits, and small aquarium. Free admission which is very nice and makes it worth a stop. We spent 45 minutes to an hour here on a rainy day. By far the highlight was Justin, the staff member who greeted us at the door, provided a ton of fascinating information about the Hawaiian islands and their history/geology, and also gave great recommendations for local sites to experience the natural beauty of the island.

Nice little free museum with a single, excellent large aquarium tank. There isn't much as far as hands on learning. Most of the displays are television sets playing looped recordings. Still, it's free and it has things worth learning. I liked that the displays were all in both Hawaiian and English. Staff wasn't friendly, and didn't say aloha upon entry or exit. Upstairs has a really cool Polynesian ship, but it was closed so the kids couldn't check it out. There was also a neat upcycled art display and a cool looking robotics area, but the robotics was only open Saturdays. If we had paid an entry fee, I would have been disappointed. Since it is free though, it's worth checking out and giving a small donation. Plan on spending about an hour here, unless you come when the robotics center is open.

Beautiful, clean, staff are super friendly & so much aloha… Great interactive learning for the keiki. Water fill station, clean restroom… plus special exhibits upstairs too! it’s one of our favorite spots🤩🐳🦭🌊

A really lovely museum telling the history, science, and beauty of the over 100 Hawaii Islands that extends to the north. It's donation only and very insightful to learn of the multiple islands, coral and marine life that can flourish there. There's also a lot for the kiddos. 60-90 minutes is a good amount of time to visit, longer if the robotics lab is open. Start your visit with the 20-30 minute long video to understand the conservation efforts and history

The majority of the exhibits are better for kids 6 and older, however, they do have a little activity area that all kids will enjoy. Lots of learning to be done here. Be sure to check both floors. And be ware that some areas may be in use by certain groups. Especially for kids who like to read and/or are good self teachers. The bathroom was a little smelly though I know that is the fault of visitors and not the staff.

So much fun for little ones. They have a small, beautiful aquarium for the kids, a ship to play on, a robotics area. We went during the bee event and it was an absolute blast. So much for the kids to see, do and learn and the best part is that its all Free!

We stumbled upon this fun stop - what a pleasant surprise! The displays were informative, engaging, and well-suited for both kids and adults. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, answering all of our questions. We spent about an hour here.. It's a perfect spot to stop by for a break during your day, especially if you're traveling with children. Best of all, it's free.

In a new location, the Mokupapapa Discovery Center serves as a museum and educational center for the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, a huge area of oceans and islands around Hawaii. While most are off limits outside of scientific stations, this is a great way to learn about them and the history of the monument. The center has many events, that can viewed on their website. It's free and open Tuesday through Saturday during the day. A highlight for me was the large aquarium of reef fish at the back, as well as maps and historic photos from the different islands. They also have clean restrooms, which can be hard to find while walking around Hilo. They have free information to take as well. It's worth it to talk to the attendant as they are knowledgeable about the center and monument. This is a worthwhile activity for any visitor to the islands.

The woman at the front desk provided great educational information. There is no admission fee and is completely free. They accept donations at the front desk and by the aquarium. It wasn't crowded and has Air Conditioning. You can probably see the whole place in about an hour. There are additional exhibits upstairs, i don't believe there is an elevator. Public restroom is available. Lots of free parking available.

Great place to bring growing kids to teach them respect for the ocean. I wish it was larger but it serves a purpose- to educate anyone who enters this museum on how there are consequences to marine life by whatever actions you do in the ocean. It is a great place to educate the younger generation on how to preserve and respect the ocean. The aquarium was wonderful and the sea life looked very healthy in the tank. The best part is that admission is free, you can'y go wrong bringing your kids for a short education about the saline in Hawaii.

Great gem in Hilo if you have kids. It's FREE so no complaining about price. The kids love the aquarium, educational exhibits about the ocean and sea creatures. The voyaging canoe on the second floor is a favorite for children to play on and if you go on the right day the robotics lab may also be open on the second floor. Probably best for kids between 5-12 but all ages will find something that interests them.

We stopped in here for the little one. it is geared toward kids. There is a small "aquarium" that she wanted to see, which in reality is one large fish tank. There are some other displays and interactive things for kids, for example an area where they can put on their own puppet show. They have a cool documentary of the 2018 volcano eruption. Best thing is that admission is free.

Fun free stop in HILO before the shops opened. Lots to see and learn! Employees were very informative and kind.

amazing place, really fun, cool aquarium, lots of discovering involved :) puppet show play set, great for children and adults

Amazing exhibit! Breathtaking art, educational and informational. My daughter and I plan to visit again.

We were in Hilo for the day and searched for something free or low cost to do with kids. We were so happy to find this heritage museum which had informational exhibits for adults and a creativity station for kids with puppets, puzzles and coloring. There was truly something for the whole family and I learned a lot about the islands and the history of Hilo while we were there.

Fun Free attraction in Hilo Hawaii. Great place to discover more about the Hawaiian islands and learn about there culture. Before visiting I didn't know some of these outer islands existed. Very informative and interesting experience. Better than the pacific tsunami which costs money. also a UNESCO heritage site so you can say you went to a UNESCO site in Hawaii. Also a fish tank that contains Hawaiian fish and is fun for children.

Nice place to visit and get ocean marine educated. Checked this place out before visiting the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Interactive exhibits for kids of all ages. Short informational video. Love the aquarium. When we went there was a school tour so we decided to sit on a bench next to the aquarium and listen in as we waited to get a closer look at all the beautiful fish in the aquarium. Volcano and Hokulea section upstairs. The staff here are very passionate about what they do. Ask them questions they are willing to share. Bathroom in the back corner. This center is free.

Beautiful place, great displays and historical items and pictures. Gorgeous aquarium.

Mokupapapa is a nice place to bring your keiki to enjoy fun, learning about Hawaii & its ocean life & voyaging. Very nice setting in historic downtown Hilo.

Terrific place. We had an event here and it was so nicely done with such a large space at our disposal. The objects and information on display were cool and fun. Here you can learn about the marine world, specifically, the Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. I highly recommend a visit. Especially on a rainy Hilo day.

It's a nice free little center for kids to enjoy. Nothing fancy. My kids loved looking at the fish in the aquarium. It's not big enough to spend a whole afternoon exploring, but a nice little stop for kids if you're in the area.

Best thing about this place is that it's free. I don't think I'd come again if I had to pay. It has a lot of marine educational tips. Cool, clean, and relaxing. I liked the salt water aquarium and from what I heard it's the largest on this island.....

What an unexpected surprise! Free admission and lots of cool stuff to see including the largest salt water aquarium on the island full of local fish. It's better than snorkelling. Stop on in and check it out. Friendly staff too!

Just a wonderful and friendly environment! Lots to see and learn about! They have the upstairs open now with lots of info on the volcano and it's all free! Definitely recommend.

Great spot to come to for both learning about the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and Hawaiian culture as well as for keiki activities. The museum has a large, clean open feel, interesting exhibits, a large fish tank, movie room and climb-a-able canoe for the little ones. I can let my son play with the puzzles, books and puppets while I have time to read. Heard that a friend had their child come to the center through a school group visit and they got to use microscopes and do a disection upstairs! So cool! They also host free seminars and events during the month. Awesome free option for a rainy Hilo day or to escape the heat.

We've been here a few times and our 3 year old loves it. One reviewer said it's not worth the stop because you can see more marine life at the beach down the street but that's not what this place is for. This place is for education and it's great for that purpose while the kids enjoy some activities. It's free but donations of any amount are welcome :) And the bathroom is clean.

Great little discovery center. The saltwater tank has some of the rarest local deepwater fishes major aquariums don't have. It's small but they are expanding. Great place to take the kids for a quick visit. Very informative to issues facing today's oceans.

Visited this past Saturday 06/25/16 and it was really enjoyable and interesting experience. I work in an aquarium and was very pleased to see and experience in person the issues affecting Papahānaumokuākea and appreciate why we need to protect this natural and cultural resource. Very informative and welcoming staff; clearly inspired and passionate about what they do. Easy to find right in Hilo by the shoreline and several eating places around so take your family and/or friends and combine the visit with lunch for a great experience. Did I mention; it is free.

Not much more than a fish tank. Not worth the stop. There are beaches diem the street where you can see more sea life through a pair of cheap goggles.