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O'ahu Gardens

 

Ala Moana Center

1450 Ala Moana Boulevard
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96814
Telephone: 808-955-9517

Just west of Waikiki across from Ala Moana Park

While a shopping center is an unusual place to consider a garden, Ala Moana Center's landscaping focuses on native Hawaiian and Polynesian introduced plants. The landscaping on the west end of the mall features coastal plants while the plants on the east end of the mall are those found at higher elevations. Informational signage, including English and Hawaiian names, are included for many of the plants.

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The Contemporary Museum Gardens

The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu
2411 Makiki Heights Drive
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822
Telephone: toll free 866-991-2835; 808-526-1322
Fax: 808-536-5973
Email: info@tcmhi.org

Drive toward the mountains on Punahou Street; turn left on Nehoa Street and then right on Makiki Street. At the first intersection, take the left fork in the road and go about a mile up the hill; the museum entrance will be on your right.

The Contemporary Museum's Gardens, part of a 3 1/2 acre complex, were created between 1928 and 1941 by Reverend K. H. Inagaki, a Honolulu minister, as a retreat in which to meditate and experience the harmony of nature. In 1979-1980 the gardens were restored under the supervision of Honolulu landscape architect James C. Hubbard. Recently, Hawai'i garden designer Leland Miyano has updated the plantings. The gardens provide a natural setting for works of art from the permanent collection. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 :00 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and most major holidays. Museum entrance fee is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for seniors and students with valid identification. There is no charge for children 12 and under. Entrance to the Museum is free to the public on the third Thursday of every month.

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Dole Plantation Gardens

Dole Plantation
64-1550 Kamehameha Highway
Wahiawa, Hawai'i 96786
Telephone: 808-621-8408
Email: sales@dole-plantation.com

From Waikiki, take H1 West to H2 North. Continue to Kamehameha Highway (Highway 99). Dole Plantation is approximately a forty minute drive from Waikiki.

The Dole Plantation Garden tour takes visitors through 8 mini-gardens: Life on the Plantation, Native Species, Irrigation, North Shore, Bromeliads, Ti Leaf, Lei, and Hibiscus. These gardens total about 1 1/2 acres. This self-guided tour takes about 1 hour and costs $4.00 for adults and $3.25 for children aged 4-12. Children under 4 are free when accompanied by an adult. Charge for kama'aina and military is $3.50. The Plantation also offers the Pineapple Garden Maze. The maze covers more than 3 acres with 3 miles of path; in 2001, it was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest maze. Admission charge is $6.00 for adults, $4.00 for children, and $5.00 for kama'aina and military personnel. Also available at the Plantation is the Pineapple Express, a 2 mile, 20-minute train tour with a narration covering the history of pineapple and agriculture in Hawaii, the story of James Dole, and beautiful views of the North Shore. Tickets are $7.75 for adults, $5.75 for children ages 4 through 12, and $7.00 for kama'aina and military personnel. Children under 4 are free when accompanied by an adult. The Dole Plantation visitor center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. The Garden Maze and Pineapple Express hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

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East-West Center

1601 East-West Road
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96848
Telephone: 808-944-7204

The East-West Center is located adjacent to the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus in lower Manoa Valley

The grounds of the East-West Center contain two distinctive gardens. The Japanese Garden is located behind the Hawai'i Imin International Conference Center. This garden was a gift from a group of Japanese business officials as a result of a 1963 East-West Center project on landscape architecture that involved specialists from Asia, the Pacific, and the United States. Japanese Princess (now Empress) Michiko blessed the garden when the koi were introduced into the garden stream. The two-acre Freindship Circle and Garden, located between Hale Manoa and John A. Burns Hall, was designed by Umemoto Cassandro Design Corporation and designer Leland Miyano. Completed in 2003, the Garden features native and Polynesian introduced plants along with native basalt stone paving.

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Foster Botanical Garden (Honolulu Botanical Gardens)

Administrative Office:
Honolulu Botanical Gardens
Department of Parks and Recreation
50 North Vineyard Boulevard
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96817
Telephone: 808-522-7060
Email: hbg@honolulu.gov

Located at 50 North Vineyard Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawai'i; 808-522-7066

Foster Botanical Garden is the oldest of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens and contains trees that were planted in the 1850s by Dr. William Hillebrand. In addition to these historic trees, this 14 acre garden features the Lyon Orchid Garden, the Prehistoric Glen, the Economic Garden, and a palm collection. Twenty-four of O'ahu's Exceptional Trees can be found in this garden. It is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Guided tours are available Monday through Saturday at 1:00 p.m. A reservation is suggested as tours are based on availability of volunteer docents. Please call 808-522-7066 to make a reservation, or to request a special tour. Entrance fee is $5.00 per person 13 years and older ($3.00 for Hawai'i residents with identification). The entrance fee for children from 6 to 12 years old is $1.00; there is no charge for children 5 and under accompanied by an adult.

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Friendship Garden

Kokohaki Place
Kaneohe, Hawai'i 96744

Located opposite Kokokahi YWCA on Kaneohe Bay Drive at the mauka-most (inland) curve of Kokokahi Place

The Friendship Garden is on the site of a 1920s church camp and was designed in the 1930s by Honolulu landscape architect Richard Tongg. It has recently been restored by Jack and Janet Gillmar with the help of Ted Talbott and community volunteers. The garden's half mile loop trail starts with a flight of stone stairs and continues across a bridge for a spectacular view of Kaneohe Bay. The trail continues to an upper lookout with views of Makapuu and Molokai. The garden entrance is in a residential neighborhood and parking is limited. Free access during daylight hours.

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Halawa Xeriscape Garden

99-1268 Iwaena Street
'Aiea, Hawai'i 96701
Telephone: 808-748-5041

From Moanalua Road, take the Halawa/Stadium off-ramp. Turn right at the first traffic light and left onto Iwaiwa Street. Take the first right onto Iwaena Street and drive to the end of the street. Enter the driveway in front of you and follow the road to the garden. A small parking lot is directly across the garden.

This 3 acre demonstration garden in Halawa Valley is a project of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply. It was opened to public in September 1989 as a way to educate O'ahu residents on ways to save water in lawns, gardens, and landscaped areas. It features numerous water conserving plants, water saving irrigation systems, mulches, and other water saving landscape ideas. The garden is open to the public from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Tours are offered by appointment; call 808-748-5041 for more information. There is no admission charge.

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Honolulu Academy of Arts

900 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96814
Telephone: 808-532-8700
Fax: 808-532-8787
Email: info@honoluluacademy.org

Located on Beretania Street between Ward Avenue and Victoria Street

The Honolulu Academy of Arts building contains several garden courtyards: the Central Court, the Joanna Lau Sullivan Chinese Garden, the Mediterranean Courtyard, and the Luce Pavilion Garden. The Chinese Garden and Mediterranean Courtyard were originally designed by Catherine Thompson in 1927. In 1983, the Mediterranean Courtyard was renovated by the Garden Club of Honolulu and landscape architect David Woolsey. The Mediterranean Courtyard was again renovated in 1997 under the direction of Honolulu landscape architect Randal Fijumoto. The Luce Pavilion Garden was added in the recent Academy renovation. Designed by Julie Kimura, it was inspired by early kama'aina family gardens and features tropical ornamentals. The Academy is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on Mondays, New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The admission fee is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for seniors, students, and military personnel. There is no charge for Academy members or for children 12 and under. Free admission to the public on the first Wednesday and the 3rd Sunday of every month.

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Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden (Honolulu Botanical Gardens)

Administrative Office:
Honolulu Botanical Gardens
Department of Parks and Recreation
50 North Vineyard Boulevard
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96817
Telephone: 808-522-7060
Email: hbg@honolulu.gov

Located at the end of Luluku Road (45-680 Luluku Road), Kane'ohe, Hawai'i 96744; 808-233-7323

Ho'omaluhia features geographical groupings of plantings from the major tropical regions around the world with a special emphasis on native Hawaiian plants. This 400 acre garden also includes a heliconia, aroid, and tropical tree collections, ethnobotanical exhibits, and picnic and camping grounds (permit required). The garden is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day. No entrance fee. Guided nature hikes are offered at 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays and 1:00 p.m. on Sundays. Please call 808-233-7323 to register for the hikes.

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Kapiolani Community College Cactus Garden

Kapiolani Community College
Kekaulike Information & Service Center
'Ilima 101
4303 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96816
Telephone: 808-734-9000
Email: kapinfo@hawaii.edu

Parking Lot C off of Diamond Head Road near the Chapel is very close to the gardens

This cactus garden was created by student/volunteer Moriso Teraoka in the late 1980s. The landscaped hillside contains an impressive assortment of cacti donated by members of the Cactus and Succulent Society. No admission charge.

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Koko Crater Botanical Gardern (Honolulu Botanical Gardens)

Administrative Office:
Honolulu Botanical Gardens
Department of Parks and Recreation
50 North Vineyard Boulevard
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96817
Telephone: 808-522-7060
Email: hbg@honolulu.gov

Located inside Koko Crater past Koko Crater Stables; the entrance to the garden is from Kokonani Street, off Kealahou Street

Koko Crater Botanical Garden is a 60 acre dryland garden inside of the Crater and the collections highlight drought-tolerant plants that are adaptable to this environment and to water conservation techniques (xeriscape). These collections include African plants, cacti, aloes, euphorbias, sansevierias, adeniums, native erythrinas (wiliwili), dryland palms, and bougainvillea. A collection of plumeria cultivars lines the road into the main crater. Koko Crater Botanical Garden is still under development; restroom facilities, drinking fountains and other visitor accommodations have not yet been constructed. The garden is open daily from sunrise to sunset. except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day. No entrance fee. Guided group tours may be arranged; call 808-522-7060 to make an appointment.

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Leeward Community College:
Native Hawaiian Botanical Collection and Shade House Propagation Center

Leeward Community College
96-045 Ala Ike
Pearl City, Hawai'i 96782-3393
Telephone: 808-455-0290 or 808-455-0285

Located in Pearl City between Peart Harbor and the H-1 freeway

Leeward Community College's Native Hawaiian Botanical Collection was started in the early 1990's. It contains over 120 endemic and indigenous plant species, mostly from dryland areas, 30 of which are endangered. The conservation and education shade house propagation center was completed in late 2002 and serves the College's Horticulture, Botany, and Environmental Science classes.

The gardens are open to the public Monday through Friday and weekends and holidays by appointment. There is no admission charge. Leeward Community College has 24 hour security, so please contact either Frani Okamoto, the Shade House and Collections Manager, or Priscilla Millen, Professor of Botany, for details and directions. Tours of the collection and shade house can also be arranged through these two individuals.

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Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden (Honolulu Botanical Gardens)

Administrative Office:
Honolulu Botanical Gardens
50 North Vineyard Boulevard
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96817
Telephone: 808-522-7060
Email: hbg@honolulu.gov

Located across from 114 North Kuakini Street, Honolulu, Hawai'i

Portions of this 7 1/2 acre garden were once the property and favorite picnic grounds of Queen Lili'uokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawai'i. She later bequeathed her land to the City and County of Honolulu to be used for the public's enjoyment. It is devoted to native Hawaiian plants. The garden is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day. No entrance fee.

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Lo'i Kalo Mini Park

1243 Loi Kalo Place
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96819

Located off School Street between Pohaku and Houghtailing Streets a few blocks from Bishop Museum

This small park contains a Hawaiian garden created in the early 1970s by Paul Weissich, then the Director of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens. The garden has springs and mature plantings of ethnobotanical Hawaiian plants that are in good condition despite a period of neglect. The garden is currently being cared for by local residents and is used for educational purposes. No restroom facilities.

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Harold L. Lyon Arboretum

3860 Manoa Road
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822-1180
Telephone: 808-988-0456
Fax: 808-988-0462
Email: lyonarb@hawaii.edu

Located at the upper (mauka) end of Manoa Valley at the end of Manoa Road

A part of the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Lyon Arboretum is an active research facility and academic resource as well as a public tropical garden. Its primary functions are research, instruction, and community service. This 194 acre garden in scenic Manoa Valley features a Hawaiian native garden, the Beatrice H. Krauss Hawaiian Ethnobotanical Garden, an herb garden and collections of palms, aroids, bromeliads, cordylines and Zingiberales. Its state of the art tissue culture facility is a nationally recognized center for the propagation of rare and endangered Hawaiian plants and selected ornamentals. The arboretum is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; closed on state holidays. There is no charge for admission, but visitors must sign in at the Visitor Center. Free self-guided tour map is available at the Center. Guided tours of the Arboretum take about 1 1/2 hours and are available at 10:00 a.m. Monday through Friday; reservations are required. Call 808-988-0461 to make reservations. Bring mosquito repellant, rain gear, and sturdy walking shoes.

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Manoa Heritage Center

2859 Manoa Road
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822
Telephone: 808-988-1287
Email: manoaheritagecenter@hawaiiantel.net

The Manoa Heritage Center includes a Hawaiian plant garden, Kuka'o'o Heiau, and Kuali'i, the historic home of the Cooke family. The heiau was restored in 1993 and is the only remaining preserved heiau in the ahupua'a' of Waikiki. The garden around the heiau features native Hawaiian plants and Polynesian introductions. Currently only the garden and heiau are open to the public. The Center is open to school groups on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings; advance reservations required. Group tours (maximum 20 people) are available; arrangements can be made by calling 988-1287. Tour prices are $7.00 for adults and $4.00 for seniors and military personnel. There is no charge for children and students regardless of age.

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Queen Kapiolani Garden

Located in Waikiki near Kapiolani Park on Monsarrat Avenue between Paki Avenue and Leahi Avenue; the entrance to the parking area is off Leahi Avenue

This small garden at the edge of Waikiki was established in 1972 and is maintained by the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation. It features hibiscus cultivars, tropical ornamentals, and a small collection of native Hawaiian plants. There are a few covered picnic tables and restrooms. Open 24 hours a day; no entrance fee.

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Senator Fong's Plantation and Gardens

47-285 Pulama Road
Kaneohe, Hawai'i 96744
Telephone: 808-239-6775
Fax: 808-239-6469
Email: info@FongGarden.com

Go North on Kahekili Highway (Highway 83) from Kaneohe; turn left on Pulama Road; there is a sign at the intersection

Senator Fong's Plantation and Gardens is 725 acres that includes five scenic valleys and plateaus named after presidents. The plantings feature palms, tropical fruit and nut trees, ferns, and tropical ornamentals. Near the Ford Plateau is a hillside covered in native pili grass; there is a grove of native sandalwood trees in Nixon Valley; and, the Kennedy Valley includes a 45 year old planting of 120 lychee trees. The garden is open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily except on Christmas and New Year's Day. Guided walking tours are given at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The tour is 1 mile long and takes about 1 1/5 hours. The fee for the tour is $14.50 for adults, $13.00 for seniors 65 and older, and $9.00 for children ages 5 to 12. Kama'aina rates available.

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Tagami and Powell Gallery and Gardens

47-754 Lamaula Road
Kaneohe, Hawai'i 96744
Telephone: 808-239-8146

Located off of Kahekili Highway (Highway 83); after passing the Hygenic Store, turn left onto Wailehua Road and go toward the mountains (mauka); take a right turn at the first stop sign onto Lamaula Road

Created in the late 1960's by two artists, Richard Hart and Hiroshi Tagami, as an environment for displaying their ceramics and paintings, The Gallery and Gardens opened to the public in 1977. The 1 acre Japanese style garden features over 30 varieties of daylilies as well as anthuriums, orchids, heliconia, ti, ornamental gingers, and palms. Tagami and Powell Gallery and Gardens are open on Saturday, Sunday and Monday by appointment; call to make arrangements. Admission is free.

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University of Hawai'i at Manoa

2444 Dole Street
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822
Telephone: 808-956-8111

Located in lower Manoa Valley; visitor parking is located behind Kennedy Theater off East-West Road or in the parking structure off Dole Street

Hundreds of types of trees and plants have been used in landscaping the University of Hawaii Manoa campus since it was established in 1907. The most interesting and unusual specimens are located in the older parts of the campus, especially between Hawaii Hall and University Avenue and around Sinclair Library and Hemenway Hall. Another interesting area is around Krauss Hall. The Krauss Hall courtyard water garden was originally designed by Richard C. Tongg and Lorraine Kuck in 1948 and restored in 1996 by Betsy Sakata. Also in Krauss Hall is the John Young Museum of Art, opened in 1999, which has its own courtyard garden with a water feature designed by Betsy Sakata.

The University of Hawaii Campus Plants web page contains information on more than 300 species of plants found on the campus including common name, botanical name, family name and location on campus. Photographs are included for most of the species.

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Urban Garden Center (Cooperative Extension Service, O'ahu)

955 Kamehameha Highway
Pearl City, Hawai'i 96782
Telephone: 808-453-6050
Fax: 808-453-6052

From Kamehameha Highway in Pearl City, turn into Home Depot parking lot (across from Acacia Rd). Enter through the gate adjacent to the “Public Storage Building” on the Diamond Head (East) end of the Home Depot parking lot.

The 30-acre Urban Garden Center contains a variety of displays including garden trials, an herb garden, a hedge maze, ground cover and turfgrass displays, a hibiscus garden, and an vegetable idea garden. The Center is open to the public for self-guided tours from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. When you arrive, please check at the main office for more information and maps. Tours can be arranged for groups of 10 or more; call 808-453-6050 for more information. There is no admission charge.

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Wahiawa Botanical Garden (Honolulu Botanical Gardens)

Administrative Office:
Honolulu Botanical Gardens
50 North Vineyard Boulevard
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96817
Telephone: 808-522-7060
Email: hbg@honolulu.gov

1396 California Avenue, Wahiawa, Hawai'i 96786; 808-621-7321

Originally begun as an experimental arboretum by sugar planters in the 1920s, most of the large trees in the garden were planted then by Dr. Harold Lyon. The garden was opened to the public as a botanical garden in 1957. This 27 acre tropical rainforest garden provides a cooler, moister environment than the other Honolulu Botanical Gardens. Collections include native Hawaiian plants, palms, aroids, heliconias, calatheas, and epiphytic plants. The garden is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day. No entrance fee. Guided tours may be arranged by calling 808-621-5463. Bring mosquito repellant and umbrella!

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Waimea Valley

59-864 Kamehameha Highway
Hale'iwa, Hawai'i, 96712
Telephone: 808-638-7766

Located in Waimea Valley inland from Waimea Beach Park on the North Shore

Waimea Valley emphasizes the cultural and ecological resources of Waimea Valley. It contains 36 major botanical collections situated in a narrow valley extending from sea level to 1,000 feet. The plant collections focus on native Hawaiian plants, Polynesian introductions, and plants of island ecosystems. Waimea Valley is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Fees for admission are $10.00 for adults, and $5.00 for children four to twelve years old and for seniors. Kama'aina and military rates are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children and seniors. Free admission for children 3 yrs and younger.

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Copyright © 1996-2008. University of Hawaii at Manoa. All rights reserved.
Email about these pages to Eileen Herring: eherring@hawaii.edu | Last revised on 14 April 2009
URL: http://www.hawaii.edu/sciref/oahugrdns.html
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