Hawaii Children's Discovery Center, Children's museum in Honolulu County, United States

The Hawaii Children's Discovery Center occupies a 38,000 sq ft building near Kaka'ako Waterfront Park, built around the gutted shell of the old Kewalo incinerator, to which 20,000 square feet were added. Inside, six fixed galleries include Tot Spot for children 5 and under, Fantastic You on the body, Your Town with role-play jobs, Hawaiian Rainbows, Your Rainbow World and Rainforest Adventures.

The museum started in 1989 as Hawaii Children's Museum of Art in a former food company cannery before moving to a new location years later. This move allowed the museum to grow and provide better learning spaces for more children.

The Hawaiian Rainbows gallery traces Hawaii's story from the plantation era to the present day, with hands-on displays children can operate themselves. It sits among six fixed exhibits, alongside Your Town, where children role-play as firefighters, bankers, mechanics and performers, and Your Rainbow World, which introduces celebrations and daily life in other countries.

The center works best for children roughly from birth to age 10, with special areas set aside for the youngest visitors. It is good to allow plenty of time to explore the different exhibits, as children often enjoy spending extended periods in the interactive areas.

The building housing the museum today was originally an incinerator before it was thoroughly renovated and repurposed. This unusual transformation shows how an old, abandoned structure was turned into a vibrant space for learning and play.