If you’re looking for a unique and interesting experience while in Hawaii, be sure to visit the Kanaloa Octopus Farm. This farm is the only one of its kind in the state, and it offers visitors a chance to learn about octopuses and see them up close. Read on to learn more about this truly unique Big Island destination.
What Is The Kanaloa Octopus Farm
The Kanaloa Octopus Farm is a conservation-minded research facility that is studying the best way to raise the day Octopus (O. cyanea) from the paralarva stage to adulthood. They are a unique aquaculture facility located in the State’s Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park’s research campus at Keahole Point.. Their headquarters are a 4,000-square-foot lab facility found in the State’s Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park’s research campus.
The Kanaloa Octopus Farm Research
Marine aquaculture is extremely important, with a main goal being to decrease the number of resources we extract from the natural environment and marine ecosystems. The challenge is that we don’t know how to raise many important marine creatures in human care to do so.
Octopuses have a very delicate larval phase, and their optimal environmental and feeding habits have eluded scientists for a long time. The Kanaloa Octopus Farm is focused on completing the life cycle of these delicate animals and the research surrounding it. Some of these research opportunities include pathology, water quality, environmental system designs, and much more.
Conservation Efforts
The focus of these conservation efforts is extremely important to preserve the lives of octopuses and other cephalopods and to maintain their natural environments.
- Producing and creating technologies used for aquaculture with octopuses and other cephalopods. It is one of the fastest growing industries right now and is a cornerstone of fighting climate change and preserving Earth’s natural ecosystems.
- Sharing octopus populations with other zoos and aquariums, which helps to preserve the wild octopus and cephalopod population.
- Providing research and learning opportunities to labs and researchers around the world.
- Working towards releasing these octopuses back into ecosystems that have been damaged by overfishing and other human activity.
NELHA
The Kanaloa Octopus farm is administered by NELHA, the Natural Energy Lab of Hawaii Authority: a State of Hawaii agency.
They are committed to providing resources and facilities for energy, ocean-related research, and other environmental causes.
Tour the Kanaloa Octopus Farm
To tour the facilities, you do need to make a booking in advance.
They offer 3 public tours that are available daily and last around one hour. Learn about their facilities, the research they are doing, and feed & interact with the octopuses!
If this is something you are interested in we recommend booking at least a week in advance. It is a popular attraction and tours fill up quickly.
Enjoy your time at Kanaloa Octopus Farm, and learn more about the stunning marine life of our oceans!
Useful Information For Your Visit:
- The facility is outdoors
- Reservations are required
- Closed on New Year’s Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day
- Cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance for a refund
- If you are interested in contributing to the Kanaloa Octopus Farm, you can donate on their website.
- They do not sell octopus as a food source
- The facility is not best setup for wheelchairs or walkers. It is possible, but will be a challenge
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