Zoofari 2025

Prepare for an unforgettable evening as Zoofari returns to the Honolulu Zoo grounds for its highly anticipated annual gala! This year’s event, themed “Rhino Rendezvous,” will take place on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. under the enchanting stars of Waikīkī.

Dress in your swankiest safari attire and join us for an extraordinary evening featuring a curated menu by Chef Chai, live entertainment including ʻukulele virtuoso Taimane Gardner, unique animal encounters, and exciting live and silent auctions. Funds raised will support essential improvements to the rhino habitat, enhancing the care and environment of these magnificent creatures.

The story of black rhinos is one of incredible resilience. Once on the brink of extinction due to poaching and habitat loss, their population plummeted by 96%, leaving just 2,300 individuals by 1993. Thanks to global conservation efforts—including anti-poaching initiatives, habitat protection, and zoo breeding programs—a slow but hopeful recovery is underway. The Honolulu Zoo is proud to be part of this mission. Our beloved black rhinos, Aria and Kendi, arrived in September 2022 as a breeding pair under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. Just months later, we welcomed a historic milestone—the birth of ‘Akamu, the first black rhino calf born at the zoo, on April 19, 2023. This achievement underscores our commitment to protecting these critically endangered species and ensuring their survival for future generations.

For more information on what’s being done to address wildlife trafficking, visit the Wild Trafficking Alliance website.