HAWAII PACIFIC PARKS ASSOCIATION, LTD

What HAWAII PACIFIC PARKS ASSOCIATION, LTD does

Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association, LTD (HPPA) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit cooperating association founded in 1933 (originally as the Hawaii Natural History Association, rebranded in 2011) and headquartered in Hawaii National Park, Hawaii. Operating under an exclusive partnership with the National Park Service, HPPA runs visitor-center retail stores, e-commerce, cultural programming, and fundraising for seven NPS sites across Hawaii and American Samoa: Haleakalā NP, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP, Kaloko-Honokōhau NHP, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau NHP, Puʻukoholā Heiau NHS, National Park of American Samoa, and the Ala Kahakai NHT (added in 2023).

HPPA generates revenue through five streams: physical retail across nine park visitor centers and two off-park store/kiosk locations (Hilo, Kahului); an e-commerce storefront on Shopify (shop.hawaiipacificparks.org) selling apparel, plush, books, maps, and award-winning interpretive merchandise; a tiered annual membership ($30-$200) with discounts and exclusive items; visitor checkout and online donations passed through to parks; and a Hawaii state specialty license plate program ($35 initial + $25 annual) authorized in 2015. The technology stack is a standard Shopify-based commerce layer with a Z2 Systems donation portal and cloud-based content management; no proprietary AI/ML systems are present. The assortment is differentiated by site-specific publications and NPS-co-developed custom products (e.g., Makana the nēnē plush, Kahoʻokele Hawaiian petrel plush, ohe kapala mandala bottle, 3D wooden native-species kits), several of which have won Public Lands Alliance product awards between 2017 and 2025. Since 1933 HPPA has contributed over $35 million in direct aid and support to its partner parks; in the seven months from October 2024 it channeled $400,000 in visitor donations back to parks.

Name

HAWAII PACIFIC PARKS ASSOCIATION, LTD

Legal name

Hawaii Pacific Parks Association

Website

https://hawaiipacificparks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association is a 92-year-old nonprofit cooperating association that operates retail stores, e-commerce, and fundraising programs for seven National Park Service sites in Hawaii and American Samoa, channeling proceeds back to park interpretation, education, and species protection.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Park Retail and Interpretive Merchandise

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAAAGAD

Permitting, Reservations & Visitor Information Services (Passes, Booking, Visitor Centers)

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/National Parks & Protected Area Visitor Services (Concessions, Guided Access)

Keywords

• Nonprofit park retail
• Interpretive merchandise
• National park stores
• Educational plush toys
• Cultural conservation products

Headquarters

HQ city

Hawaii National Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Visitor Center Park Store Sales: Retail sales of educational merchandise, books, apparel, collectibles, and interpretive products at nine visitor center locations across seven national park sites. Proceeds support park interpretation, education, research, and cultural programs.
2. E-commerce Online Sales: Online retail sales through shop.hawaiipacificparks.org featuring park-specific merchandise, books, apparel, and exclusive items. Ships domestically and internationally.
3. Annual Membership Program: Annual memberships at five tier levels ($30-$200) offering cards, discounts, newsletters, and exclusive merchandise. Provides recurring revenue and donor engagement.
4. Visitor Donations: Checkout donations at park stores and online portal. 100% of donations pass directly to the national parks where given. Visitors donated $400,000 since October 2024.
5. Specialty License Plate Program: Hawaii state specialty license plates authorized in 2015. $35 initial fee plus $25 annual renewal. Revenues managed by HPPA and donated to parks for resource protection and education.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

HPPA operates visitor center park stores and an e-commerce platform selling educational and interpretive merchandise (books, apparel, plush toys, custom 3D kits, maps, and specialty products) at seven national park sites across Hawaii and American Samoa. The nonprofit also administers an annual membership program, a Hawaii specialty license plate program, and visitor donation programs, with all proceeds supporting park interpretation, education, research, and cultural programs.

Product overview

Hawai'i Pacific Parks Association (HPPA) operates visitor center park stores at seven national park sites across Hawai'i and American Samoa (Haleakalā NP, Hawai'i Volcanoes NP, Kaloko-Honokōhau NHP, Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau NHP, Pu'ukoholā Heiau NHS, National Park of American Samoa, and Ala Kahakai NHT). Their core offerings include physical retail stores in park visitor centers and a comprehensive e-commerce platform (shop.hawaiipacificparks.org) that sells educational merchandise including custom plush toys (Nēnē Goose Makana, Hawaiian Petrel Kaho'okele), award-winning 3D wooden kit sets, specialty license plates, apparel, books, collectibles, and maps. Proceeds support interpretation, educational programs, research, publications, and cultural activities. HPPA also offers membership programs with tiered benefits and facilitates direct visitor donations to park programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Visitor Center Park Stores Physical retail stores located within national park visitor centers offering educational materials, books, apparel, plush toys, maps, and locally inspired products; proceeds support national park interpretation, education, and conservation programs.
• Online Store (shop.hawaiipacificparks.org) E-commerce platform selling national park merchandise, books, apparel, plush toys, collectibles, maps, and interpretive products with proceeds supporting park programs; ships domestically and internationally with wholesale opportunities.
• HPPA Membership Program Annual membership tiers providing membership cards, 15% store and online discounts, reciprocal NPS partner discounts, eNewsletter, and exclusive members-only merchandise such as keychains, totes, and vinyl stickers.
• Hawaii National Parks Specialty License Plates Hawaii state specialty license plates featuring volcano scenes and nene geese; $35 initial fee plus $25 annual renewal, with revenues managed by HPPA and donated to parks for resource protection and education.
• Makana the Nēnē Plush Custom plush toy representing the nēnē (Hawaiian goose), the official State Bird of Hawaii, with a donation component supporting conservation efforts at partner national parks.
• Kaho'okele the ʻUaʻu (Hawaiian Petrel) Plush Custom plush representing the endemic Hawaiian petrel seabird, with $1 per unit sold donated to support vital conservation projects at Hawaii Volcanoes and Haleakala national parks.
• 3D Wooden Kit Sets Custom 3D wooden model kits featuring Hawaiian native species and Polynesian voyaging canoes that allow people to build and engage with unique Hawaiian wildlife, fostering deeper connections to the parks.
• Mandala Insulated Bottle Award-winning ʻohe kapala mandala stainless steel insulated bottle featuring culturally significant patterns representing six national park partners, sourced and etched in partnership with Engraving Pro on Molokai.
• Species Protection Programs Conservation support services for endangered nēnē (Hawaiian geese), Hawaiian petrel, and hawksbill sea turtle projects at partner national parks, funded through product proceeds and donations.
• Cultural Events and Festivals Support and coordination for four annual NPS cultural festivals on Hawaii Island and year-round cultural demonstrations at partner parks featuring Hawaiian arts such as lei making, lauhala weaving, and hula.

Quantifiable outcome

• $35 million+ contributed to parks since 1933
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered key, minor and core.

• Little and WoodkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration to develop 3D wooden kit sets featuring Hawaiian native species and Polynesian voyaging canoe. Products received PLA Innovative Product Award 2025.
• Kilauea Military Camp (KMC)keyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 December 2024Temporary partnership to relocate Hawaii Volcanoes NP visitor center store to KMC Koa Room during visitor center renovations Feb 2025-2027. Maintains visitor services without interruption.
• Parks ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2023Company donated $10,000 from apparel collection sales inspired by Hawaiian volcanoes. HPPA passed funds to Hawaii Volcanoes NP for volcanic eruption response and Hawaiian petrel conservation.
• Ala Kahakai National Historic TrailcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 May 2023Newest partner as of 2023. HPPA will develop and carry trail sales items in visitor center stores and support programs through donations. Trail spans 175 miles of Hawaii Island coast.
• Engraving ProkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Hawaii-based company on Molokai that sources and etches custom ombre-colored mandala patterns onto stainless steel insulated bottles for award-winning product line.
• NOAA Mokupapapa Discovery CenterkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 May 2018Partnership enabled opening of national park store in historic Hilo Town. NOAA provides space at Discovery Center where NPS rangers and HPPA staff connect public with Hawaii Volcanoes NP during partial closures.
• Hawaii Department of Motor VehicleskeyChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015Administers specialty license plate program. Plates feature volcano scenes and nene geese. $35 initial + $25 annual fee; revenues managed by HPPA and donated to parks.
• National Park Service (NPS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1933Primary partnership since 1933. HPPA serves as nonprofit cooperating association for seven NPS sites in Hawaii and American Samoa. NPS staff provide interpretive training while HPPA operates visitor centers, sells merchandise, and donates proceeds to park programs.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Western National Parks Association: Western National Parks Association is a nonprofit cooperating association that operates retail stores and interpretive programs across numerous national park sites in the western United States. Directly comparable to HPPA as both are NPS cooperating associations with the same business model: retail stores in visitor centers, educational merchandise, and proceeds supporting park programs.
• Zion National Park Forever Project: Zion Forever Project is the official nonprofit partner of Zion National Park, operating retail stores, membership programs, and funding park projects. Direct peer to HPPA with parallel mission, customer base, and business model around NPS cooperating association activities.
• Yellowstone Forever: Yellowstone Forever is the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park, operating park stores, educational programs, and supporting conservation initiatives. Direct peer to HPPA as a single-park-focused NPS cooperating association with visitor center retail, membership programs, and donations supporting park operations.
• Glacier National Park Conservancy: Glacier National Park Conservancy operates as the official nonprofit partner of Glacier National Park, providing retail, membership, and grant programs. Direct peer to HPPA in NPS cooperating association role, visitor-facing retail at park stores, and donation-supported park programs.
• Eastern National: Eastern National is a nonprofit cooperating association supporting NPS sites primarily in the eastern United States. Direct peer to HPPA with parallel business model including visitor center retail stores, interpretive products, memberships, donations, and educational programming. Both organizations share the cooperating association structure with NPS and PLA membership.
• Grand Canyon Conservancy: Grand Canyon Conservancy is the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park, operating retail stores, supporting research, and funding educational programs. Direct peer comparable in business model, customer base (national park visitors), and product offerings including books, apparel, and interpretive merchandise.
• Yosemite Conservancy: Yosemite Conservancy is the nonprofit partner of Yosemite National Park, offering park store retail, membership programs, and grant funding for park programs. Direct peer to HPPA with similar e-commerce and physical retail channels, educational merchandise, and donor-driven revenue model supporting a major U.S. national park.
• Sequoia Parks Conservancy: Sequoia Parks Conservancy is the nonprofit partner supporting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, operating visitor center retail and interpretive programs. Direct peer to HPPA in NPS cooperating association activities with multi-park portfolio, retail merchandise, and educational programming.

Others

• Public Lands Alliance: Public Lands Alliance is the industry trade association for NPS cooperating associations and other public lands nonprofits. HPPA is a PLA member and has won multiple PLA awards. Comparable as a sector organizer and HPPA's awards/recognition body, but operates as a membership association rather than direct retail.

Emerging players

• Parks Project: Parks Project is a for-profit apparel and lifestyle brand that designs products inspired by national parks and donates a portion of sales to park organizations. Comparable to HPPA in mission (supporting national parks via consumer product sales) but differs as a for-profit apparel-focused company rather than a nonprofit operating visitor center retail.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/hawaiipacificparks.bsky.social
• Facebookfacebook.com/Hawaii.Pacific.Parks.Association
• Instagraminstagram.com/hawaiipacificparks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hawaii-pacific-parks-association-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HAWAII PACIFIC PARKS ASSOCIATION, LTD