Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale Kihei Visitor Center

Learn about the marine environment and even have the opportunity to see humpback whales breaching at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center, located in Kīhei on the south shore of Maui. This scenic beachfront location at the foot of Haleakalā has views of Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, and West Maui looking across the waters of the sanctuary. Visitors will learn how scientists study and protect humpback whales, and about the cultural and natural resources of the Hawaiian Islands.

• Location: Kīhei, Maui, Hawaiʻi
• Admission: Free
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Best for: Whale watchers, nature lovers, surfers, paddlers, families, outdoor enthusiast

Accessibility Features

Physical and Mobility Assistance

• Wheelchair Accessibility/Mobility
  • There are accessible ramps into the visitor center and the conference/lecture hall.
  • The public bathrooms are located in the same building as the lecture hall and has an accessible ramp. Bathrooms are ADA compliant.
• Transportation

  

  • There is accessible parking close to the entrances of the buildings.

Service Animals

Service dogs are always welcome. We follow the U.S. Department of Justice’s requirements for service dogs as listed under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service dogs are defined as animals trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability.

Sight and Hearing Impaired Assistance

• Hearing accessibility: All of the videos played in the visitor center are open captioned.
• Visibility: The visitor center has all new exhibits which were designed with accessibility in mind.

Sensory Friendly Assistance

• One exhibit emits sounds.

Kaua’i Ocean Discovery

Experience the wonders and beauty of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary at Kauaʻi Ocean Discovery, located on the ground level of Kukui Grove Center in Līhu‘e, Hawaiʻi. Explore Native Hawaiian traditions and knowledge and be inspired to protect the marine environment. There are several exhibits and displays that you and your family can enjoy!

• Location: Līhu‘e, Kaua‘i, Hawaiʻi
• Admission: Free
• Hours: Wednesday and Friday, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Accessibility Features

Hours of operation

• Visitor center hours of operation allow for a variety of audiences to access Kauaʻi Ocean Discovery. The facility is open on weekdays (Wednesdays and Fridays) and weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) and is also convenient for students to visit during after school hours. Special accommodations and programming are available for selected school field trips.

Physical and Mobility Assistance

• Wheelchair Accessibility/Mobility
  • Kauaʻi Ocean Discovery is located on the ground level of the single-level Kukui Grove Center, a regional shopping center. Access from the street-level shopping center parking lot (which has free parking, accessible parking spots, and curb cuts) through the shopping center concourse through and within Kauaʻi Ocean Discovery has no physical barriers for people using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility assistance devices. The facility has a wheelchair for volunteers and guests to use while present.Seating is readily available for those who cannot stand up for long periods. There are no stairways, ramps, or elevators.
  • Kauaʻi Ocean Discovery does not have a public restroom. Public restrooms within the shopping center have the standard accessible stalls, handrails, and other provisions for people with disabilities.
  • Due to the open design of Kauaʻi Ocean Discovery, we have flexibility on seating arrangements and have easily accommodated wheelchair guests who visit and participate in lectures and workshops.
• Transportation
  • There are marked accessible parking spots in the shopping center. The shopping center is also served by the county’s public bus system (Kauaʻi Bus) and the county’s Paratransit buses.

Service Animals

Service dogs are always welcome. We follow the U.S. Department of Justice’s requirements for service dogs as listed under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service dogs are defined as animals trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability.Sight and Hearing Impaired Assistance

• Hearing impaired
  • Captioned video and other visual media are shown on a large screen TV and on a kiosk, along with other media.
  • Staff has started learning basic phrases in American Sign Language.
• Sight impaired
  • Display panels which hang on the walls have a combination of images and large font text.
  • There is audio on the kiosk and audio on the large screen used for videos, seminars, and lectures.
  • There are also audible videos online, workshops, webinars, staff interviews, etc.
  • Volunteers and staff are available for individual interpretive services and assistance.

Sensory Friendly Assistance

• Learning opportunities
  • Kauaʻi Ocean Discovery facilitates and accommodates different learning styles. Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners are all accommodated. In addition, on a daily basis, hands-on learning is available for a wide age range of students and families.

Language

Bilingual (English-Hawaiian) outreach materials are available. Bilingual (English-Hawaiian) children’s books have been acquired in the expanded reading corner in Kauaʻi Ocean Discovery. Staff and volunteers are able to interpret basic Hawaiian consents and words, and provide guidance on pronunciation of Hawaiian words.