HONOLULU — Honolulu Zoo invites keiki and their families for a Sunday “Ele-Fun Day” on Oct. 23 to bring attention to the importance of elephant conservation.

Sheila Watumull organized the event in honor of her late husband David Watumull’s birthday.

What You Need To Know

  • Keiki and their families are invited to Honolulu Zoo’s Sunday “Ele-Fun Day” on Sunday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

  • Event highlights elephant conservation and will include keiki activities and special guests

  • Sunday “Ele-Fun Day” was organized by Sheila Watumull in honor of her late husband David Watumull’s birthday

  • Asian elephants are one of only three species of elephants remaining in the world

The zoo’s two resident Asian elephants, Mari and Vaigai, were brought to the zoo as a gift to Hawaii’s children from the family of Indira Ghandi by the Watumulls, who had then served as honorary consuls general to India. Mari was born in 1975 in Hyderabad, India, and arrived in Honolulu in 1982. Vaigai, born in 1985 in Madras, India, arrived in 1992.

Following the completion of the $12 million elephant exhibit in 2010, Mrs. Watumull donated $150,000 in 2012 to build a new elephant viewing pavilion between the two elephant yards. She organized six local high schools to create mosaic tiled murals to adorn the six structural pillars.

“We would like to celebrate David Watumull’s birthday by honoring and acknowledging the generosity and support that he and Sheila have provided the Honolulu Zoo over the past 40 years,” said Linda Santos, Honolulu Zoo director in a news release. “It is because of their vision, resolve and relationship with India that we are able to have two Asian elephants in our zoo today for the public to visit, learn about and enjoy.”

Admission on Ele-Fun Day will be free for keiki 12 years and under accompanied by an adult. The event takes place 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will include two elephant talks and feedings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The day’s fun also includes education and coloring stations on the lawn near the elephant exhibit, special guests including the Sacred Hearts School choir singing to the elephants, Miss Hawaii Lauren Teruya, and former Miss Hawaii Candes Gentry, plus drawings for giveaways including trunk-painted artwork courtesy of Mari and Vaigai.

Listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, Asian elephants are one of only three species of elephants remaining in the world — the other two are the African bush elephant and African forest elephant. Though smaller than African elephants, Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia with an adult bull coming in at over 8,800 pounds. Fun fact: elephants can sleep lying down or standing up, and their trunks alone contain over 40,000 muscles that provide dexterity, flexibility and strength.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii.