The USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards nominated the Honolulu Zoo for Best Zoo in America in 2024. Currently, the Honolulu Zoo is in fourth place, trailing behind the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the North Carolina Zoo, according to a news release. 

The Department of Enterprises Services is encouraging everyone to support the zoo by voting. The voting closes on March 4 at 7 a.m. Everyone can vote once per day. 

“Hawaii has always turned out in voting to help propel some of our local people into national stardom,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “If there was ever anything we wanted to get behind, it’s getting behind putting our zoo into the top 10 and maybe even the best zoo in America.” 

For the competition, a panel of experts selected 20 zoos, including the Honolulu Zoo, because they excel in animal care while developing meaningful interactions between animals and humans.

To vote, visit: honoluluzoo.org

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.