Honolulu mayor leads costly China trip to negotiate panda loan for city zoo
Mayor Rick Blangiardi spent about $30,000 on a ten-day visit to China to pursue a giant-panda loan for the Honolulu Zoo, a deal that would require President Xi Jinping’s approval and an annual fee of at least $1 million.
In spring, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and his wife embarked on a ten-day, $30,000 trip to China after the Los Angeles Chinese consulate suggested direct negotiations. Their itinerary included stops in Fuzhou, Chengdu and Beijing, where they discussed a potential giant-panda loan that would need final sign-off from President Xi Jinping and would cost the city at least $1 million per year. Honolulu Zoo director John Berry is confident the zoo can meet China’s strict care standards, noting pandas act as high-profile ambassadors for the nation.
Experts such as Judith Shapiro and Elena Songster explained the historical role of panda diplomacy in U.S.-China relations. Blangiardi believes the pandas could triple the zoo’s current annual attendance of over 500,000 visitors, providing funds for further improvements. The effort also involves securing private donors to offset costs and exploring energy-saving measures for the exhibit. If approved, pandas could arrive within two years, positioning Honolulu alongside a handful of U.S. zoos with the prized species.
Why it matters
Securing pandas could transform Honolulu Zoo into a major tourist draw and deepen U.S.-China cultural ties.
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