Rusti, the Honolulu Zoo's popular orangutan, is mere weeks away from moving into a new cage 20 times larger than his present digs, and meeting his new roommate — a female orangutan named Violet.

After a month in quarantine in the new quarters, Violet could be joined by Rusti before year's end. Zoo officials say it is better that the female move in first.

Once Rusti and Violet move in, they will have access to a climbing structure with a series of hammocks, telephone poles, ropes and metal poles to climb and swing on, as well as a big banyan tree and two-bedroom sleeping quarters.

People have been talking about moving Rusti out of his "temporary" cage for eight years, but the various plans to move him fell through until last year, when private donors joined with the city.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann credits this public-private support for making Rusti's new $625,000 home a reality.

The Honolulu Zoo Society helped manage the charitable effort and came up with at least $275,000 to help build the enclosure. Orangutan Foundation International donated $300,000, with other donors making up the rest.

Violet is expected to arrive later this month.