Kewalo Marine Laboratory is located on a two-acre, ocean-front site on the south shore of O'ahu, adjacent to Kaka'ako Waterfront Park and the Kewalo Basin boat harbor. Located five miles from the main campus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, a few blocks from the John A. Burns School of Medicine, and just minutes from downtown Honolulu and Waikiki, Kewalo Marine Lab is ideally situated for both access to marine and academic resources, as well as its convenience to amenities.
A diversity of marine habitats on O'ahu, including coral reefs, sandy beaches, soft sediments, estuaries, and the deep sea and open ocean zones, are all easily accessed from Kewalo Marine Lab. Hawai'i's isolation and diverse tropical marine fauna provide unique opportunities for studying speciation, biogeographic distribution, and population genetics of coastal marine organisms, and draw visiting biologists with interests and specializations ranging from biodiveristy to the use of well-developed model organisms for experimental studies at the organismc, cellular and molecular levels. Additionally, the mild climate in Hawai'i allows year-round field work, and many of the local coastal organisms are easily cultured in the laboratory and are available and reproductive throughout much of the year.
Nearby Attractions
Kewalo Marine Lab's urban location places it within within walking distance of many local attractions and amenities. We are located a few blocks from the Ward Centers, Aloha Tower Marketplace, and Ala Moana Shopping Center, with many shops, dining, and entertainment options. A few steps from our front door is the beautiful 30-acre Kaka'ako Waterfront Park, with a sea wall promenade, comfort stations, picnic areas, and the famous body surfing spot called "Point Panic". Just around the corner is the 76-acre Ala Moana Beach Park, known for its excellent swimming spots, as well as grassy picnic areas, concession stands, tennis courts, and music pavillion. Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown, with all of the historic and cultural attractions they provide, are a few miles west of Kewalo Marine Lab, and Waikiki and Diamond Head are also located just a few miles east of the lab.
