MAALAEA — Maui Ocean Center began a three-phase reopening on Friday, Jan. 15, with Malama Kekahi I Kekahi (to take care of each other) in mind.

Maui Ocean Center first welcomed its members, Na Hoa Kai (Ocean Friends) annual pass holders, to be the first to experience the park reopening. To become a member and learn more about exclusive membership perks, visit mauioceancenter.com. All active members prior to March 17, 2020 will have their membership automatically extended for the period of time that the park was closed.

General admission at new value-added ticket pricing commenced on Monday, Jan. 18. Due to capacity guidelines, limited tickets are available daily with no extensions on free admissions.

Maui Ocean Center General Manager Tapani Vuori said, “We are delighted to welcome back our members and Maui Nui community… Along with taking great care of our marine life during our closure, we took the opportunity to freshen up all areas of the park. We hope you will be in awe of the natural and artful marine life exhibits, and one of my Hawaiian cultural favorites, ‘Kaho’olawe: A Story of History and Healing.’ “

With the current environment in mind, Maui Ocean Center has implemented government recommendations and enhanced existing programs that support the health and well-being of its guests, team and marine life.

Park Hours: The park will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Guest entry via online reservation system is every 30 minutes, with the last reservation time at 1:30 p.m. These revised hours give the park the extra time required to maintain enhanced health and well-being services, including sanitation.

New Website with Online Reservation and Ticket System: Mauioceancenter.com boasts fresh new imagery and content, along with captivating videography. Integrated is a new user-friendly ticketing and reservation system in support of capacity guidelines and contactless payments. Easily navigated, tickets are required to be purchased and reservation times preselected in advance. No tickets or reservations will be sold at the front gate. Wheelchair reservations may also be made at the time of the reservation, based on availability. Contact information, including e-mail, will be required and guests are encouraged to show their electronic confirmation at gate entry.

Virtual Naturalist Presentations and Park Map: Guests will now have access to marine naturalist presentations and the park map via QR codes provided at gate entry and in-park. The virtual presentations allow guests to watch and listen to the marine naturalist at their leisure, rather than a scheduled time format. MOC highly encourages personal headphones, so the guest can enjoy the presentation without disruption and as a courtesy to other guests. Headphones are also available for purchase at Maui Ocean Treasures. The new virtual park map offers digital convenience and supports MOC’s ongoing commitment to reducing touch points and encouraging sustainable living.

Based on guidance from health and government authorities, the following is required of all guests and Maui Ocean Center team members:

Thermal temperature check required at gate entry with required temperature less than 100.7 degrees. If one person has 100.7 degree temperature or higher, all members of that party will not be permitted entry.

Masks covering the nose and mouth are required to be worn by guests (four years and older) and Maui Ocean Center team members (with exception of actively eating or drinking).

“Follow the Yellow Tang” ground decals one-way pedestrian flow and social distancing markers.

Six feet social distancing is required at all times.

Sanitization stations with contactless dispensers are available throughout the park and are highly encouraged to be used frequently.

Hand washing stations with contactless soap are available in restrooms and highly encouraged to be used frequently. Contactless payments are highly encouraged.

Refillable water stations are closed, and bottled water is available for purchase at Reef Cafe.

Additional requirements may be implemented based on health and government entities. Maui Ocean Center reserves the right to not permit entry to any person for any reason.

Seascape Restaurant is currently closed.

For more information, visit the new mauioceancenter.com.