Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is one of the most isolated places in the world, making the species that find their way here all the more special. These plants and animals that arrived on their own, are called Native.
Among the Native Hawaiian species, some are recent arrivals, or migrants that only spend part of their time here in the islands. Species that are also found elsewhere in the world are regarded as Indigenous.
Other Native species are more unique, and are found no where else in the world. They have the rare distinction of being Endemic to Hawaii.
The Honolulu Zoo is home to several Native Hawaiian species, some incredibly endangered, while others are wild and free to come and go as they please.