Councilman intrigued by study to move zoo to Kalaeloa
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Reporter
Honolulu City Councilman John DeSoto is backing a study to determine whether the Honolulu Zoo should be moved to Kalaeloa, the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station, to begin the transformation to a world-class zoo.
Advertiser library photo
DeSoto, who represents the Kalaeloa-'Ewa-Wai'anae Coast area, said working on the budget made him question how much more money the city should put into the Waikiki Zoo at its 42-acre site. "There's no room for expansion," he said.
If feasibility studies are successful, the Honolulu Zoo would move to Kalaeloa, the former site of Barbers Point Naval Air Station, in hopes of bringing in more visitors.
DeSoto is seeking his colleagues' support in passing a resolution to urge the city administration to "study the feasibility and desirability" of moving the zoo. Mayor Jeremy Harris said he's open to the study and thinks it can be done by city staff.
"I'm not talking about moving everything out next week," DeSoto said. He said he's looking toward the future and the possibility that Honolulu could develop a facility similar to the famous San Diego Zoo.
In his resolution, DeSoto cites a steady decline in the number of zoo visitors. In fiscal year 1993, 742,686 visitors went to the zoo, compared to the last fiscal year, which ended last summer with 573,120 visitors.
"The further we prolong this, the more it's going to cost," DeSoto said.
City spokeswoman Carol Costa said the attendance has declined but averaged out over the previous five years to 617,568. She said this year's attendance so far stands at 472,632 with nearly two months of visitors yet to be counted.
DeSoto noted the Kalaeloa Redevelopment Plan designates 600 acres for parks and recreation, including a 200-acre parcel. He envisions a zoo that would attract visitors and residents while placing the animals in a more natural environment.
Harris said the existing zoo may be convenient for some but is losing its attraction for many visitors. "If we had a modern San Diego-type zoo, it would attract three to four times as many visitors," Harris said.
