Swim over to the Waikīkī Aquarium for the 16th Annual Mauka to Makai Environmental Expo on Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Presented by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Facility Maintenance, the Hawai’i State Department of Health Clean Water Branch, and the Waikīkī Aquarium, this FREE, family-friendly event promotes the importance of keeping Hawai‘i clean and free of pollution, from the mountaintops to the ocean.

Guests will enjoy live entertainment, native plant giveaway (limited to one per household, while supplies last), and interactive activities from various organizations including hands-on learning, arts and crafts, and educational exhibits that showcase ways to protect and preserve Hawai’i’s environment. 

The event is free and open to the public. Free parking will be available in the back parking lot at Jefferson Elementary School beginning at 7:30 a.m., with free shuttle to and from the Waikīkī Aquarium courtesy of Waikīkī Trolley. Guests are also invited to bring refillable water bottles to stay hydrated with our water stations. 

Mauka to Makai is held in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services Recycling Branch and Environmental Quality Division, Hawai’i State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of State Parks and Commission on Water, Friends of Hanauma Bay, Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology Coral Resilience Lab, Hawai’i Marine Animal Response, Hawai’i Water Environment Association, Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Honolulu Police Department District 6 Community Policing Team, Kupu, NOAA, O’ahu Invasive Species Committee, Sea Grant and Hanauma Bay Education Program, Department of Transportation Storm Water Management Program, and Stewards of the Sea Marine Research and Conservation.

For more information and online activities visit https://maukatomakaiexpo.com

Earth Month Event Schedule

See below for a complete schedule of events. 

16^th Annual Mauka to Makai Environmental Expo on Saturday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Mauka to Makai Environmental Expo is a free family-friendly expo that invites individuals and families to participate in educational activities from community partners, visit the Aquarium galleries and exhibits, and complete an event passport to receive a free native plant (one per household, while supplies last). 

Earth Day Fish Release on Friday, April 21 at 11 a.m.

In celebration of Earth Day, the Aquarium will partner with Jefferson Elementary to release striped mullet, “ama’ama” or Mugil cephalus into the ocean. Bred from wild, local Hawaiian broodstock at the Aquarium, approximately 50 fishes will be released. 

Earth Month Art Fest on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

On Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., budding and professional artists everywhere are invited to participate in our Earth Month Art Fest! Keiki and their families can “Stop, Drop and Chalk” to create their own masterpiece on Aquarium walkways. Attendees can also participate in craft activities. More details to come!