[4] Opened on March 13, 1998, by Coral World International, the 3 acres (1.2 ha) facility is the largest living tropical reef aquarium in the Western Hemisphere.

[5] Maui Ocean Center has six main exhibits that focus on reef fish, deep water animals, Hawaiian culture and history, and more.

Their exhibits receive saltwater directly from Māʻalaea Bay, resulting in environments that allow fish, corals, and other marine invertebrates to thrive.

[5] MOC Marine Institute (MOCMI) works in partnership with NOAA Fisheries to coordinate the response to sick, injured, distressed, or expired sea turtles on the island of Maui, Hawaiʻi.

A compliance review by For the Fishes for the center's 2022-2023 special permit identified 91 instances of improper marine life removals, with a reported mortality rate of over 50% within one year of capture.