Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center

Located within the Bishop Museum complex in Honolulu, the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center is one of Hawaii's finest hands-on science museums, offering interactive exhibits that connect children to the extraordinary natural and scientific story of the Hawaiian Islands. Unlike generic science museums found elsewhere, the Mamiya Center grounds its content in Hawaii's unique position as one of the most geologically and ecologically distinctive places on Earth.

The exhibits span Hawaiian volcanology, Pacific Ocean marine science, meteorology, and space science — with each topic presented through interactive stations, simulations, and displays that invite children to touch, experiment, and discover rather than just observe. The volcanic activity exhibits are particularly powerful: Hawaii sits over one of the most active volcanic hotspots on the planet, and the center explains this in ways that make the island's dramatic landscapes suddenly make sense to young visitors.

The earthquake and tsunami simulation exhibits are both educational and genuinely exciting for school-aged kids, providing visceral context for the natural forces that shape Pacific island life. The NASA Space Science section appeals to older children and teens with content about Hawaii's role in astronomical research — the Big Island's Mauna Kea hosts some of the world's most important telescopes.

For families, the Science Adventure Center pairs beautifully with the main Bishop Museum, which covers Hawaiian cultural history and natural history through world-class collections. A combined visit requires at least 3 hours and makes for one of the most educational full days possible in Honolulu.

The center is stroller-accessible and thoroughly rainy-day-friendly as an entirely indoor experience. Purchase a combo ticket for the best value if you plan to see both the center and the main museum.