The Honolulu Zoo unveiled its new food and beverage facility Kapahulu Market on Wednesday, welcoming the attraction’s first new concession in more than 70 years.

What You Need To Know

  • Kapahulu Market was built by the Honolulu Department of Design and Construction and will be operated by city concessionaire, the SSA Group

  • The Market replaces the zoo’s original food and beverage facility, which was built in 1951

  • The new facility reflects the SSA’s focus on carbon-footprint awareness and conservation practices

  • Kapahulu Market partnered with Leeward Community College’s Culinary Arts Program to offer a baked rigatoni Bolognese keiki meal developed by student Kaleb Molina; a portion of the proceeds from each keiki meal will go to LCC’s culinary scholarship program

Kapahulu Market was built by the Honolulu Department of Design and Construction and will be operated by city concessionaire, the SSA Group. 

“The Honolulu Zoo has been working extremely hard to modernize its facilities for its visitors, residents and staff,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “The construction of this concession is a prime example of great teamwork and innovation.”

The Market replaces the zoo’s original food and beverage facility, which was built in 1951.

The new facility reflects the SSA’s focus on carbon-footprint awareness and conservation practices.

Menu items include locally sourced produce, including lettuce grown at Kunia Farms, and vegan dishes featuring meat alternatives, including TiNDLE (a vegetable-based chicken substitute). Straws are made from AirCarbon, a plastic substitute made in part with captured greenhouse gases.

Kapahulu Market also partnered with Leeward Community College’s Culinary Arts Program to offer a baked rigatoni Bolognese keiki meal developed by student Kaleb Molina. A portion of the proceeds from each keiki meal will go to LCC’s culinary scholarship program.

SSA operated a lunch truck near the site while the facility was under construction. 

Kapahulu Market is open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Menu items can be purchased via HZapp, a mobile app developed by SSA for the zoo to reduce reliance on paper maps, menus and other materials.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.