Go to the Zoo in a Rainforest

Coming face-to-face with a 450-pound white Bengal tiger is a humbling experience, particularly in Hawaii where strict regulations have banned most wild creatures. If you take a stroll through Hilo's Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens, expect to get a good look at a Bengal called Namaste.

Known as the only tropical rainforest zoo in the United States, this 12-acre habitat and botanical garden is home to numerous animals, reptiles, monarch butterflies and birds, some of which are native only to Hawaii.

See giant anteaters from South America and Binterongs (Asian bear cats) from South East Asia. Also in residence are two-toed sloths and green iguanas from South America, a miniature cow (Zebu) from India and wide-eyed lemurs from Madagascar.

Native Hawaiian animal life includes Hawaiian gallinules, pueo (owl), the 'lo (hawk), and the Nene goose (the State Bird). Feral pigs are nested in a stone abode, and don't miss the whistling ducks.

The zoo, open daily, is located on Hwy.11, about four miles south of Hilo.

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