To investigate the relation between extracellular Ca$^{2+}$ and histamine release, we observed agonist-induced histamine release from RBL 2H3 mast cells in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca$^{2+}$ concentration. Histamine release induced by melittin and thapsigargin were greater in the presence of extracellular Ca$^{2+}$ than in the absence of extracellular Ca$^{2+}$. Econazole-induced histamine release had nothing to do with extracellular Ca$^{2+}$, whereas arachidonic acid-induced histamine release increased in the absence of extracellular Ca$^{2+}$. Calmodulin antagonists did not affect melittin-induced histamine release but they may potentiate arachidonic acid-induced histamine release. These data suggest that arachidonic acid-induced histamine release may be mediated via Ca$^{2+}$-independent pathway and may be potentiated by the block of Ca$^{2+}$-dependent pathway.