KYMBERLY MARCOS PINE

COUNCILMEMBER

(808) 768-5001 (808) 768-1217 (fax)

E-mail: kmpine@honolulu.gov

 

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 22, 2016

 

Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine’s Statement 

on The Honolulu Zoo’s Loss of Accreditation

(HONOLULU) — Today, the City informed the public that the Honolulu Zoo has lost its accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) due to a lack of an adequate and consistent funding source, an issue that has been raised previously.

 

Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine, advocate for the Zoo and author of Ordinance 15-42— which established a Zoo Sponsorship Program to bring the Zoo new revenue, offers her statement:

 

“We are extremely saddened that the Honolulu Zoo failed to make accreditation.   This occurred because the City failed to show a consistent and significant revenue stream for the Zoo,” Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine said.

 

“Luckily, the Zoo Sponsorship Bill is now law and this finally allows us to do so. It is my hope that the administration implements this soon so that we can show the AZA that we are committed to the Honolulu Zoo and its future.”

 

Ordinance 15-42 was signed into law on October 7, 2015 at the Honolulu City Council.  Introduced by Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine, the law allows limited sponsorships of Honolulu Zoo exhibits and facilities by philanthropic organizations, creating alternative revenue streams that will increase the City’s ability to improve the Honolulu Zoo, and provide enhanced levels of service and maintenance beyond the core levels funding through the annual City budget.

 

Councilmember Pine is the Chair of the Committee on Parks, Community & Customer Services. She represents residents of District One (Ewa, Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Honokai Hale, Ko Olina, Nanakuli, Maili, Waianae, Makaha, Keaau, Makua).

 

 

Attachment: Ordinance 15-42

 

 

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