Honolulu Botanical Gardens Reviews

Spectacular nature wonderland in volcano. Walk to lake, educational centre staff lovely, a must see

this really is not a botanical garden but more like a series of parks and trails.....the view of the mountains is stupendous and very much worth the trip...the lake is also very pretty and very short walk and just see all the fish...tons of them........this park has several small areas with each having different varieties of plants but not well kept or mowed...trails are not marked very well.....but the beauty is definitely all around you during your visit..its free by the way

We visited on a rainy day & had lots of fun. The park is beautiful with a lovely lake stocked with tilapia.

They have a catch & release fishing area. They supply the cane poles, hooks and (if you forget your own) bread for bait. The ladies in the visitor center were very helpful. It was a pleasure to talk with them. Fishing was fun, even for four adults.

The gardens are well labeled and the path is paved or gravel for most of the way.

At the Visitor center, there is a gallery. When we were there, photographs of gardens in bloom were displayed. It’s a very nice spot.

This is a large park like area. There are places for people to camp out with permission. It opens at 9 and is free. There is a visitor center with restrooms. From there you can walk a short distance to the lake and view all of the beautiful flowers and trees. The lake is nice and there are lots of ducks and fish that come to the surface when fed. Continue down the road and stop at the various stops and walk around and see the lovely plants and views of the mountains. A very restful, relaxing area.

This place is Beautiful!!! One of the best part is that it's usually never crowded the camping is good too-Friday,Saturday and Sundays!

This garden is a great way to see all the landscapes of Hawaii really easily and for free - there is no admission fee! The garden is designed to be drivable and there are plenty of points to stop, park up and take a walk. Download the map and plan a longer walk but definitely get away from the lake - it is beautiful but it can get quite busy and there are so many other beautiful vantage points to explore.
TOP TIP - head up to the lookout at Kilonani Mauka. You get a view of the whole garden and you can see the planes taking off and landing at Honolulu airport!

Each time I visit family on Oahu I make a point to visit Ho'omaluhia. The Koolau mountain range is unrivaled in its beauty especially after a rain when the many waterfalls are running. This garden is more like a park with an amazing number of mature palms, plants and flowering exotic trees. If you love photography you might want to spend days here. Camping is allowed as well.

I was on Oahu for over a week and spent the entire time hiking. This was, by far, the quietest most peaceful experience I had. And it was free.

We have seen many botanical gardens. Seychelles, Mauritius or in the Caribbean but this one is indescribable. Like in another world. Free and accessible by car.
Lush and beautiful vegetation. If you are in Oahu, you should definitely stop by. Absolutely not crowded and just peaceful. You can stop in many parking lots and if you want, you can also have a picnic. There is a beautiful lake, an information area and toilets. Enjoy nature. It really is a wonderful place on earth.

We visited this place as it was free and offered the rainforest experience without the tourist trappings. While not much was in bloom in December, walking among these gigantic trees was an amazing feeling. We hiked to three of the parking areas along the river and up to the Kilonani Maukau overlook, then drove to the rest of the areas. Once you visit the visitor center, you can pick up a map and bird watching sheet before heading out on your own. We walked to the lake and then followed the trail. It was quite wet under foot, but there are faucets at all stops so you can clean your shoes. The park is organized so you can drive to 6 different planting areas, or you can walk to them as we did. It is very serene and close to nature as birdsong is the only noise you hear. The highlight of our trip was watching a mongoose playfully jumping along the perimeter of the forest, oblivious to us hikers taking a break. We did see some local birds and ducks, easily identified with the information sheet from the visitor office. I would like to return at another time to see some of these shrubs and trees in bloom, but the lookout was definitely worth the climb up the hill. You can see for miles and enjoy the Hawaiian coastal shoreline.

Hey I had been to Oahu a few times and didn't know this location existed. Mountain peaks lush gardens and a lake full of fish. A good place to take photos with a beautiful backdrop. Very peaceful and lots of birdlife.

First, go through the visitor center. We didn't and wish we had. We did take the hike back to the lake, though. It's pretty cool as you go by many plants and trees that have name placards - very interesting.
Someday we'll camp here as that's where most of the places to stop and take in the view are. It must be pretty wet camping, though, and we saw lots of repairs going on as there had been some heavy rains a few days before. Stop when you can, though and enjoy the exotic flowers, shrubs and trees and maybe even a few birds!

Breathtaking view of most shrouded mountains. We’ll laid out trails with beautiful plants and scenery. Trails near the visitor center are paved and easily accessible. Closer to the pond the trail is gravel and may have a muddy section depending on previous rains. Highly recommended. Minimum of an hour to view around the visitor center area.

This is a beautiful area, there is not one bad view from the place. This trip was just my husband and I. We took on Uber from Waikiki it was a nice 30 minute drive about $25. There is no entrance fee for the gardens, but because we got there about 20 minutes early our driver dropped us at the gate and we ended up walking to the visitor center which is about a mile and a half from the entrance gate.
The driver could have dropped us at the visitor center but we didn't want him to wait the 20 extra minutes. The view on the walk up was amazing, but we were asked not to take pictures until we go to the visitor center. Once we got to thr visitor center and rehydrated (they do have bathrooms and a water fountain here) we walked to the lake, which was a nice walk. Parts are shaded and there are a lot of Koi fish in the lake. After the lake we headed back to the main road and walked along it to other parts of the garden. There was a Lookout point that after climbing a steep hill you have a breathtaking view of the mountain range and the island. We didn't have our own car but if you do, there are plenty of places to stop and park to take pictures or you can drive through the whole thing and see it from the car. The place is huge with so much to explore, we were there for about an hour and didnt get to see all of ots glory. I would however recommend having your own car that way if you get tired from walking you could see the rest of it from your car. Overall, I would definitely recommend coming to check out this beautiful part of nature.

Such beauty in a city park! It's a beautiful ride with plenty of walking trails to see, too. What a treasure and all at no charge!

Even though I grew up on Oahu, I had never visited these gardens. The lush beauty of Hoomaluhia is impossible to describe. If you are looking for tropical paradise on Oahu, don’t skip this stop.

Our group consisted of people from ages 1 to 83. Most trails were quite stroller friendly, although going all the way to the lake was a challenge for our travel stroller.

Restrooms were readily available.

We drove between areas to make the hikes easier.

The carving on the mountains live up to its hype on social media. My kind struggled to process of how surreal the place is. Though the pictures you see on instagram, too dangerous to take in real life. Also, wear mosquito repellant. Bugs are huge as hell.

We walked and drove throughout this park. Unfortunately the plants are not marked very well so we didn't know what we are looking at. It turns out that many people camp in this park and we felt a little uncomfortable walking through people's campgrounds to look at the plants. There is a visitor center, but not much seemed to be happening there.

Lady at entrance didn’t let us in because we didn’t have a car!! So me and my friend wanted to visit this famous garden and the lady at the entrance was racist to us because she didn’t let us in she asked us if we had a car to come in, we didn’t we took the bus from Waikiki to this garden we know that you can enter the garden walking and was screaming that is not safe to go in walking when clearly we saw people coming in walking she ruined our experience just because she wanted to be rude to us!!!

FYI you cannot stop to take that quintessential photo at the entry that you see on Instagram! As there is a gate guard there who keeps traffic moving, but we still enjoyed the lovely grounds, and were surprised to learn that you can camp here!!

I really enjoyed Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden. (approximately 400 acres) is a botanical garden located at 45–680 Luluku Road, Kāne'ohe, Oahu, Hawaii. It is part of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens, and is open daily, without charge, except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
The view and scenery is peaceful and beautiful. I could walk around all day. There’s so many trails. What could make it better if the trails had names and /or directions. We really tried our best to use the map provided but it was really difficult to understand. One of the employees was nice enough to guide us on our way. Then 2 nice young ladies pointed us in the next scenic direction.
The weather, clouds and breeze was just what we needed to enjoy Our Day.
Maybe if I’m bold enough. We’ll do a weekend camping trip. You can camp out from Friday to Sunday. They have restrooms and a sink to do dishes ect. Way Cool 😎

Located in Kaneohe, Ho’omaluhia is one of the five Honolulu Botanical Gardens. Planted with rainforest trees and shrubs from Asia, South America, and Africa; Ho’omaluhia is an impressive botanical garden rightfully named “a peaceful refuge”. Many of the plants are endangered and rare so it is our duty to adopt a responsible behavior when visiting the garden.

The majestic Ko’olau Mountain backdrop, acres of greenery, and the lake create a wonderful setting for outdoor activities and enjoyment at Ho’omaluhia. The facilities include picnic areas, walking paths, campsites, and even an art gallery. To make the most of your visit, come prepared with walking shoes, insect repellent, and rain gear. Rain showers are frequent at Ho’omaluhia even if I was very lucky on that day wearing a mini dress and flip-flops!

Visit my IG (kelledstyle) and my blog for more pictures and info :)

This is a must if you love beautiful scenery, mountains and exotic plants. We also saw Mongoose and a lot of birds. There’re no entrance fees or parking fees.

Susan here! Today Hunny n I are in
Kaneohe n we decided we should go to Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardns. ⛲️🪴👩‍🌾
Hunny left the most of the kids at the hotel n just brought r daughter Gringot. Gringot n I were sitting in the backseat n Hunny was driving. Gringot is turning 7 soon n we decided we should take her somewhere, we r hoping she becomes a Gardener, that's why we named her Gringot Garden Jesus.👩‍🌾
Nyway got there n pushed Gringot in a wagon up the paths, got tired n made Hunny push us both. Gringot was
pouring at the big pond n so we went there, brought some fish food n Gringot ran off to go feed the fish. Hunny n I prepared the picnic, I went to go feed the fish, saw a bunch of fish, n then a mongoose came n scared me half to death! Oh boy I fell into the water slowly n screamed, Hunny came running over n screamed, my hair got underwater n the fish were biting my belly n toes. They started nibbling on my toe fungus. N oh my god Gringot was crying, Hunny ran up to the water n saw the mongoose, all I heard was screaming n saw him fall over. Started sinking n woke up on the side of the pond n Hunny was eating some of my Family Famous Grape Tomatoe Sandwich Burritos. Hunny said these exact words "Took u long enough"
Gringot n Hunny were resting underneath the tree eating n I was covered in water. Got up n was startled by another mongoose, almost fell bad n caught myself but Hunny ran to save me and well...
Plop! 💦
Muffled screaming n Hunny was being bitten by ducks n fish. I covered Gringots eyes n we ran to the car, I hate mongoose! Gringot n I were monching on snacks n Hunny came back fully red n itchy looking 👀.

Decided to go home and wash up.
Was a good experience, Gringot learned a new lesson.
Never trust mongoose.

The drive into the gardens is everything one can expect. It’s absolutely stunning. The lake is large and offered thousands of fish to look at. The garden is a wonderful place to find a table and have a picnic. Unfortunately for us it was so hot and humid, our kids didn’t want to stay and explore. I would love to come back during the winter and check it out. Or maybe the gardens can extend their closing time to 7 during the summers so that people can enjoy the gardens in the shade?

A good break away from beaches. The park is free. They have a lot different collections from different areas, if you are into it, you can probably spend a day there,

We did a short visit, as a time killer, while waiting until check-in at our hotel.
IT IS FREE. Greet the Ranger at the gate, and proceed very slowly. Maximum speed is 15 MPH. The road is narrow and commands your attention. Roadside stops for pictures and driving while photographing is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. They mean it, and this rule is told specifically to you by the Ranger.
Do not think about stopping until the Visitor Center, but enjoy the scenery. Drop your vehicle into low gear and ENJOY THE SLOW DRIVE.
Have your passenger be your photographer, just DO NOT STOP. Keep going to the visitor center. Take the SECOND LEFT for the VISITOR PARKING LOT. (The first left is for the employee parking lot.)
The Visitor Center is the hub of most of the hiking in the park. A whole morning or afternoon can be spent here on all of the trails offered. We did a super quick tour of the Visitor Center grounds, used their clean restrooms and then made our way out to the slow return drive back to the front gate.
I could see an enjoyable day being spent here, with your own box or picnic lunch on a table upon the nice grassy areas. Always have an umbrella on this side of the island, (Windward Side), for a more pleasant visit. Car break-ins are frequent here, so follow the usual Oahu car parking awareness.
The areas where we visited and toured were BEAUTIFUL, and the BIRDSONG was ever present.

Add this for your itinerary if you’re planning to visit the windward portion of the island.

What a wonderful area to just see the the flora and enjoy the view. You can spend an hour or more here exploring.

Going down the lake at the visitor area is an easy 10 minute hike (upper part is paved while the lower portion is dirt)

You know what makes it even better!! It’s free admission! What better way to ease your stress of knowing how much you’re paying for your day park rate at the hotel (see my Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa review) than going to this gorgeous area free!!

Definitely recommend!!

Hawaii is so lush and so beautiful! And this place highlights so many of its unique botanical trees and plants and explains their origins and uses. Very informative and transformative!

This is a beautiful and extensive garden that can be enjoyed by car on on foot. Stop at the visitor centre first to obtain a map of the grounds. Some of the paths are rough and difficult to maneuver with a stroller. If you visit on the weekend, you can borrow a bamboo pole and angle for catch-and release fish in the lake. Bring bread for bait!

Free access to this magnificent botanical garden which is worth the detour.
Don’t hesitate to go for a little walk there, there are some very beautiful viewpoints.

Visited the garden after a rain the night before and it was very fresh. Some areas were soggy but the scenery was fantastic as always. Great picture opportunities. My nephew and I wanted to see the stream and so we braved the muddy trail in bare feet and have the pictures to prove it. This is always a special place to visit.

This isn’t really what I would call a botanical garden. This is a lake surrounded by jungle trails. The lake itself is beautiful, but the trails are narrow, uneven, not paved, and there is literally nothing to see but jungle woods and trees. If you come, bring bug spray. I got eaten alive by bugs and I’m worried I might get some kind of Hawaiian malaria.

A beautiful paved hiking trail. At entry it looks like screams from Jurassic park. You can drive and park throughout or walk. Paved trail, with most beautiful nature views. Highly recommend.

This place is very gorgeous, however, I was incredibly disappointed when I was told by one of the workers (in a rude way) that I couldn't take a photo of the famous road that faces the mountain. Luckily, I was able to take a couple of photos before the employee showed up. This is actually surprising because photos are allowed in the botanical gardens but just not on that road. It is funny because this very photo is the reason why this place receives a lot of visitors and yet it isn't allowed.

we did the hoomaluhia botanical garden it was very rainy that day but we had a great trip there it is a beautiful place I would go again the next time I am here

gardens are spread out over a large expanse of greenery and trees,
but there's not a lot to see unless you take the walk down to the lake
which is stocked with orange fish that aren't Koi. The fish and some
ducks were hanging around the shoreline hoping to be fed by kids. There
are lots of plants along the downhill walk to the lake, many labeled. I
was surprised to see how many were from other countries. We also saw a
nice art exhibit in the Visitors Center. The women working at the center
were very helpful in steering us to the scenic route back to Honolulu.

We walked to the lake with trail markings of a red fish, it leads you to the lake. Once there you will enjoy the beautiful varieties of ducks and bright orange fish in the lake. This whole place encourages pure relaxation and a true appreciation for nature.

It's a relaxing hike. I plan to go there again. Coming home refreshed is awesome!

Free entry botanical gardens. Not much to do but it definitely has some great views and a lush Hawaiian mountainside. We did this in between other excursions and it was a perfect additive to our. Bathrooms were super clean and you can enjoy the views while driving through the grounds or while walking. Cannot drive all the way through as it was closed at the end when we were there.

Beautiful gardens with spectacular views. Docents at the visitor center are helpful and friendly. There was plenty of parking. Be prepared to hike on a series of trails which lead through forests of interesting plants, to a lake, and around the grounds. Wear comfortable shoes (not beach gear.) Bring your water bottle.

If you are a nature lover you'll love this place. Places like Waimea Valley and Kualoa Ranch are for-profit and have marketing budgets. This is a state park and entrance is free, but don't let that fool you. This is a more beautiful and tranquil place, compared to those heavily marketed places.

This is a tranquil place to enjoy mountain views and tropical flora. It's too bad they don't have a paved path adjacent to the road which might encourage more people to walk rather than just drive through the gardens. There are trails, but they aren't obvious from the road, and we wished there were more signs with information about the species within the gardens. But kudos to Honolulu for providing this free option for all to enjoy some of the natural wonders of the island.

Free entry to this garden. Staff members at the front gate was very rude and insulting. Lots of beautiful places to see with lots of picture opportunities.

This is a beautiful, scenic place, with picnic tables and camping areas. There are several stops along the road where you can park and then get out to picnic or walk along the trails. Each stop is based on a different part of the world, with different plants and trees. There are restrooms at every stop, and some have showers (in case you are camping). The trails tend to be muddy and gravelly, not suitable for wheelchairs, and challenging for people with disabilities. The scenery is beautiful. We were there on a partly-cloudy day, so it wasn't too hot. We saw various birds and also spotted a few mongooses (an undesirable invasive species).

My husband decided to visit on a whim. Beautiful place for pictures and exploring the sites. Free admission and ample parking. Would recommend seeing at least once!

Our kids loved the gardens! There is a path down to the lake from the visitor center, and it's lined with amazing plants. My girls stopped at every plant to take a closer look! Be sure to take bread or crackers for the fish and ducks at the lake. It's a great spot for kids to see them up close! We walked around several other trails including the Stream Trail which isn't maintained. But it was very passable with kids, and we had fun exploring! There are restrooms and picnic tables in every section, so take a picnic lunch and enjoy the scenery. It's a great, free and fun thing to do as a family!

There are a lot of trails in this large and well-maintained venue. We took a lovely stroll and enjoyed the views of the lake.

Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens is a real gem. Located at the base of the spectacular Koolau Mountains, it is really beautiful. So many different ways to enjoy the gardens - walking, picnicking, or just driving through. We saw some big wild pigs the last time we were there. (Caution - stay far away - they can be dangerous!) The park is wonderful in all types of weather - sunny, rainy, cloudy. There is often a nice little art exhibit to enjoy in one of the buildings. I love the variety of plants and trees, and the backdrop of the Koolaus can't be beat. This is a great place to take visitors who cannot or don't want to walk - they can enjoy the sights from the car. It's nice to just drive through, and enjoy the serenity and peace in the gardens. I've been here 3 times in the past few months!

Hoomaluhia is a beautiful botanical garden with quite a few small trails leading into different types of plantings. The garden is set in the background of the awesome Koolau mountains. The most enjoyable trail was the on eat the Visitor Center leading to the lake. We also went on the India & Sri Lanka trail, and noticed that more varieties of trees could have been planted. As is the case with the outdoors in Hawaii, one has to be prepared with sunscreen and insect repellant. There is no entrance fee to visit this botanical garden. One could easily spend a half day strolling around the various sections in this lovely garden.

Free entrance to this botanical garden. Such lush greenery and mountains views. We followed the signs for a short hike to the lake and had ourselves a picnic there. You can drive through and stop at various places for pictures or for nice little strolls.

Wow! What a great garden. It would have been worth a good chunk of change to visit, but amazingly it was free! We enjoyed a wonderful picnic lunch in the garden, drove and walked through the whole place. It's amazing what the Army Corps of Engineers can make of a flood control project!

We hoped to find someplace inspirational to paint, but the grounds were too muddy when we visited. Wear bug spray. I enjoyed walking on the path to the lake and reading the information about the plants and trees along it. It's worth a stop to walk the path to the lake and back and it's free!

Wow, so much to see there! Beautiful exotic plants, great trails, and the staff in the visitor center was very helpful. There are flat areas as well as mild inclines. Great views with minimal amount of people on the trails. We bought our lunch and ate at the covered picnic tables. Bathrooms at each location. We were there about 5+ hours and had a great time. . . for free!

We loved our visit to Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden. It was an unplanned stop, but it ended up being one of the most peaceful parts of our trip.

We spent about an hour sitting by the pond, just relaxing and soaking in the quiet and the beautiful scenery. It’s a wonderful place to slow down and enjoy nature away from the busy tourist spots.

If you’re exploring the area, it’s absolutely worth stopping here to unwind and take in the views.

We enjoy Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Gardens in many ways. We exercise there and have found many different routes that have a variety of difficulty levels. When it is rainy season, we park at the end and walk on the paved roads where the cars arenʻt allowed. Other times, weʻll pick a circle route towards the lake. If we need more exercise, we hike up hills to lookout areas or walk further. Our grandchildren love the canopied tamarind trees at the last parking lot. Theyʻve enjoyed fishing on the weekends. Prior to the pandemic, a group of us meet to paint the many botanical flowers and foliage in the gardens. My friend would camp there by herself and felt very safe with their enclosed gates and security. Hoʻomaluhia is a haven on ʻOahu!

The gardens themselves were not impressive -- primarily trees. But, OHHHHHH, the views from the lookout! HIGHLY recommended along with the nearby Byrd-in Temple. WOW!

I grew up on the windward side of Oahu. Back in the 60's this beautiful part of Kaneohe was not accessible to most people. mostly pig hunters and locals who knew where the trailheads were could experience this magical place.
Built in 1982, this gem of a park rightfully named "a peaceful refuge." gave access to locals and tourist alike. The park is around 400 acres of pure "Hawaii." You can find all kinds of bird life, wild bores, and fish here.
The best time is after a heavy rain shower. the Koolaus have amazing waterfalls and it's a sight to be seen.
You can rent fishing poles to catch and release Catfish, Talapia's and even small mouth bass. Your kid's will love it.

If you ONLY have an hour to hit this place (like we foolishly did), spend your time by the visitors center and the lake in that area. It's a massive botanical garden, with some beautiful sites, but honestly, if I ever get to go back, I'm parking my car at the visitor's center (or just outside the gates) and spending most of the day walking through here. It's absolutely beautiful!

We went to visitors center and picked up a map. The lady working there was nice and highlighted trails which would take us to the various sections of the gardens. First the map. As a trail guide it is utterly useless. The trails are not well marked and if you get off the paved paths are very wet and muddy. We went down to the lake and then after attempting to follow the map, finally abandoned them and went back to the car. We then drove to the various sections where there is plenty of parking and explored from there. This was by far the saner approach. Be sure to go to the overlook. The view of the mountains is spectacular.

Someone reviewed this place and said it was small. Must have been reviewing the wrong place or just not paying attention because this place is giant. Honestly laughing at anyone who didn't realize how big this place is and just saw the visitor center. There is one trail at the visitor center, which also has a couple of rooms for art and paintings. Beyond that there is a map showing all the other trails. The area is so big you need to drive to multiple parking lots each having its own trails. It was way too much so we had to just leave, there was no way we were going to see it all so we just moved on to our next tourist area. If you want to see the entire thing you'd either be here all day or return on other days.

You might as well call this a small state or national park because not only is it free it's a huge land area with tons of trails and beautiful views everywhere. Not only that but there are labelled trees and plants for all the nature fans out there.

You really can't get a better value for a botanical garden than this. Huge and free and nicely kept, I don't see why anyone wouldn't want to take advantage of this. Talk to the visitor center before you go on your exploration they are very nice and have good recommendations for what you should see first or if you have limited time. The one they recommended was a very short few hundred meters but very steep walk up a road that had the most amazing 360 view of the area.

A great way to spend half a day, explore nature, and free! The flora was amazing.

Note: you will be tempted to start taking pictures of the mountains before you get too far in to the park, but good news...there are multiple parking lots, lookouts, etc, where you will get killer shots, that will be 100% better.

But, you will still find lots of idiots hanging out their sunroof, stopped on the road, taking selfies (which coincidentally is one of the few rules they ask you not to break).

Otherwise, I'm shocked the local government hasn't started to charge. Recommend taking a lunch and enjoy!

We also took the scenic route along the east coast, back to Waikiki, and stopped at multiple lookouts to the ocean. Just awesome.

I booked a camping permit on the parks website, I think $30 for 3 nights stay and I booked a week in advance. We ended up staying only one night because it rained heavily and our cheap K-mart tent leaked water. The park is beautiful but one day is enough. Camping amenities are very basic, cold water only in the shower. I enjoyed the short drive through the park, nice views of the mountains. We also walked the short walk to the lake, saw the carps and some huge ducks begging snacks from us. Don't forget to bring headlamp and mosquito repellent!

We drove into the gardens and parked at the visitor centre. We continued the rest of the gardens on foot. The ridges you see are impressive and the trees amazing. You only hear the birds singing if you listen carefully. It is nice and shady in the garden so even on a warm day it is pleasant to go there. You will not be disappointed.

Visited in late September and unfortunately the paths were muddy and green grass areas were wet. There were very few flowers blooming. The lady in the information center was very helpful.

Lovely place, but I really wouldn't call it a botanical garden. It's all fairly natural, no real flowers, just flowering trees and shrubs. There are some trails, but you will probably get muddy, it's only partially paved. It's mostly a drive thru park, with different parking lots with trails and a lookout(up a steep hill). I would call it more of an arboretum. There are some tags on some trees for ID. Thankfully, it's free!

I haven't visited enough botanical gardens to compare this to another, but it is certainly beautiful, peaceful and extensive. The varieties of plant life and the lovely lake are nice to behold

We hiked around the park today (Saturday) for about an hour. Picnic tables and campgrounds scattered throughout. This would make a great spot for a family picnic, wedding, fishing, etc. Beauty abounds. Bring sunscreen, bug repellant, water and good hiking shoes. We were surprised by the number of hills and muddy spots. Parking filled up fast but available. Stop by the visitor center for a map and helpful tidbits about the garden. Very helpful and friendly. Had a lovely morning there!

Gorgeous botanical garden on the windward side of Oahu. They have hundreds of acres of plants and flora from all parts of the world. Beautiful look out point at the top towards the end.

There are hiking trails, but due to time constraints we decided to drive only. It was breathtaking. It is definitely worth a visit

This is a decent place to spend the morning and a great place if you're looking to get good pictures of Oahu's peaks. The walk behind the visitor center also has a good variety of colorful flowers and plants, but not a great deal of them. We found that the rest of the walking paths didn't deliver much. It's free and worth the drive but don't expect a bunch of flowers.

This facility should be named a botanical park instead of a botanical garden. It is a beautiful spot but too spread out to function as a garden.

The Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden is a stunning destination, especially after rain, which enhances its vibrant beauty. Open daily from 9 AM to 4 PM with free admission, it’s best to arrive early to fully explore its expansive grounds. The garden features breathtaking man-made lakes and diverse plant species from Africa, Asia, Polynesia, and the Americas, highlighting Hawaii’s rich cultural heritage. Established in 1982 as a flood control project, it also serves as a peaceful sanctuary, true to its Hawaiian name, meaning “to make a place of peace.”

Visitors can explore the garden at their own pace using maps from the Visitor Center or join guided tours for a more in-depth experience. Group tours can be arranged by calling (808) 233-7323, while scheduled tours are available on Saturdays at 10 AM and Sundays at 1 PM for just $1 per person. These tours, lasting about an hour, offer insights into the garden’s unique history, plant life, and cultural significance.

This garden is truly underrated. The welcome center is well done, interesting; has bathrooms; is staffed by wonderful friendly people; etc. Hiking the trails is spectacular with amazing foliage from around the world (and it's a fairly easy hike). The fact that it's free is incredible.

HUGE caveat - wear mosquito repellant!!!

As you can see there is a lot of information here (and on other websites) about people taking photos at the famous road entrance of the gardens, before they open at 9a. In fact a reviewer Patricia M about a week ago (look for her review below mine) said she was here at 7a taking photos and someone who works here even took some for her! I believe this person to be named Olive. Well I showed up a little past 8a and was accosted by a guard at the gate who was incredibly rude telling me no photos in that spot and that rule is enforced 24 hours. I spoke to Olive (who it sounds like from Patricia M’s review took her photo, as she drives around in a Toyota SUV which is referenced in Patricia’s review) who told me very condescendingly that absolutely no photos can be taken there and the information online is incorrect. I’m not sure why some people are allowed to take photos and others are not.. perhaps they are racist or biased against certain groups of people. That’s the only thing I can think of. We drove a long way and got up early to be respectful and take a couple photos before the gate opens (as other reviewers said they have) and we were treated incredibly condescendingly and rudely. They must somehow pick and choose who can take photos. If it is a 24 hour no photo policy their PR should attempt to take down and remove all reviews and articles from people who have taken photos there so other tourists, like me, aren’t confused and frustrated when they are told no.

The map provided at the visitor center wasn't that detailed and we ended up just walking around aimlessly for a little while after we went down to the little late. The garden paths weren't signed very well and we ended up just walking around a little bit and leaving. Just average.

Spent a while trying to figure out where to go, as the paths are not well marked. Some people recommended driving all the way to the top, but there wasn't much there except for a nice picnic spot. We eventually found a map online and strolled down a nice path to the lake. The most breathtaking part is the mountain backdrop- the rest of the garden is mostly green forest. Still very beautiful and makes for a peaceful walk, but don't expect flowers or much wildlife! There are plenty of restroom facilities around.

This park is beautiful and definitely worth a visit. It's surrounded by the lush mountain ranges and has lots of picnic spots. There's an overlook thats walkable from the visitor centre carpark but there's also small carparks at each section of the park. The campspot right at the end is definitely our favourite picnic spot and worth the drive?

Honestly, I was really looking forward to walking around and exploring the gardens. My friend and I dropped by after a long day at the north shore and per other reviews were told the road would be closed but the side gate would be open, which both were true. However upon walking through the side gate the security guard popped out of his room and said to us, without a greeting, "no pictures and you have to be out in 10". Look, i get it, it sounds like people taking pictures on that main road has caused traffic issues in the past and they have a policy. But this dude assumed we were here to take pictures and break the rules and made a point to call us out, as opposed to just letting us walk through and just enjoy the gardens for the last few minutes of sunlight. Also, the gate to the road was closed so what's the big deal anyways if there's no traffic coming in/out? Whatever.

We left with a bad taste in our mouth and no desire to go back. I'm sure the gardens are beautiful but I don't want to visit a place where the staff is rude to their guests right off the bat.

We thought to stop by the botanical garden to check out the garden. They have various birds on site along with the geese. But what’s interesting is the plants/trees planted and the use of what each plant/tree is used for. I would say that if have time and want to make a quick stop, stop by

It was a nice walk down to the lake on a paved trail. Fun to see all the flora and fauna. It’s a secret for locals only. No charge for entry which is great.

The old ladies here are incredibly rude. The area, however, is very gorgeous and worth the free price of admission. Just be warned they close at 400p, but the old ladies will turn everyone away at 330p, then at 345p will walk the area blasting an air horn and alarm siren the entire time.

If you visited Honolulu, you should visit this park. The park has one of the greatest atmosphere. You can take lots of perfect picture in here. Note that i recommend to visit there in early morning which you can have gorgeous background for your photos.

It is free and has free car park. You can also have a picnic over there.

I wish i can spent more time at this park.

Unfortunately, it is such a beautiful place, but is terribly run down. Very poorly maintained. Worst part is they closed the gates at three thirty and ended up having to walk an additional mile and a half to be able to get picked up, buy a taxi. They literally locked the gates thirty minutes before closing time.

Really lovely gardens. Sections are divided by plants of particular regions: Polynesia, Africa, and so forth... Wonderful views of the shadowplay on the mountains at all times of day. Was there a total of three times. One disturbing note, however, is that on two occasions, there were one or two "unsavory characters" wandering around the gardens; and because of the vastness of the park, this is a place you do not want to be all alone.

The Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens is such a hidden gem in Kaneohe. It is absolutely beautiful. You can take a short leisurely walk to the lake and even cast a fishing line into the water. However, I prefer exploring all the different areas within the garden. You will see a plethora of plants and birds. It is a visual delight!! I recommend going when there hasn't been a lot of rain. When the land is wet, the grounds can get very muddy. I learned the hard way! Spend an afternoon there. You won't regret it.

Most of flowers to be seen are at the visitors center on path to the lake. A drive through this gardens will not yield many flowers. plenty of picnic tables. hiking trails are not marked.

Situated in a great location at the base of the mountain range. Vegetation in the park is lush. The disappointing aspect was the different areas marked as having plants from different regions of the world. These plants and trees in each area were sparsely scattered amongst the lush surrounding plants. I think it is a nice place to walk and picnic but not what I would classify as botanical garden. It is free.

Very pleasant place. Well laid out, good maps with clear instructions. Carefully tended. Interesting background as to why it was constructed in the first place.

We had read the reviews for Ho'Omaluhia prior to going to Oahu and based on the positive reviews decided we needed to see what everyone was talking about. It is easy to find off H-3 in Kaneohe. There is no fee to enter. It is open from 9am and closes promptly at 4pm. Gates shut at 4pm and you are stuck if you aren't on the right side of them. They do have overnight camping. The visitors Center has a printed map or you can take a picture of the large map. The gardens are over 400 acres and you could spend hours there so looking at their website ahead of time can help you plan. Bring water and insect repellent if you plan to take any of the trails. There are nice bathrooms and picnic tables if you want to bring lunch. We would suggest after stopping at the Visitors Center first driving all the way to the end(Kahului Nui) and walk out to the right of the parking lot and look at the Ko'olau mountain range. It is a spectacular view. Morning light is best to see all the color. We felt this was the best reason to come to Ho'Omaluhia. We walked past the "road closed" sign to the end of the road(no exit) the walk was pretty but nothing like the Ko'olau's. We then drove back to Kahului Lahua and took the path to the lake. We went left at the fork and over the bridge. You can fish in the lake and there are ducks you can feed(bring bread). The walk takes you to Kahua Kuou parking lot so you can either walk back on the road or take the same way back to Kahua Lehua parking lot. That is all we did due to time. Keep in mind this is a botanical garden not a flower garden. It has plants from the Philippines, Malaysia, America, Hawaii, India, Polynesia, Africa. The garden is well maintained. There are 4 other botanical gardens on Oahu, this is the largest. Highly recommend going even if you only have an hour.

Admission and parking are free at this 400 acre garden which backs up to the Ko'olau Mountains. There are distinct areas of plants from different countries. You can hike from one to the other or you can drive and there are parking lots at each section. Lots of interesting plants with many being nicely labeled. The day we were there it was rainy and many of the pathways were muddier than we wanted to walk so we ended up just seeing a bit of the gardens.

This place was a must see. If raining, I highly recommend being prepared to get your feet a little muddy but you can opt to only stay on the semi-paved trails. You can drive to several different sections (close together) that have specific plants from all over the world. Most of the walk paths lead to the beautiful lake. There are tables where you can have a picnic lunch or areas to lay out a blanket. Also, the lookout point was amazing. It’s about a 3-5 min walk up a paved steep little hill then you have a view for miles. Length of time there was about 1.5 hours but only because it was raining. We could have stayed there for at least 3 with better weather.

Absolutely beautiful- walking friendly and well paved, but lots of distance and hills, so you may find driving from spot to spot also worthwhile. Friendly staff and quite knowledgeable about the beautiful plants around. Highly recommend for a wonderful light hiking experience and some of the best views of the area!

How beautiful! A large botanical garden, not crowded and very rich in different species proposed in a harmonious whole. You walk for hours in total relaxation and wonder

We stopped in for a few minutes and drove around. Nice plants, trees and views. But I wouldn't go out of my way to visit.

It was so pristine and had wonderful flowers and trees. We walked in at round down to the lake and then we drove all over the ground and took pictures of everything.

We found the best place to get the most from the gardens is near the visitor center. The walk down to the lake is very pretty and the plants are well marked. It was quite muddy the day we were there so we weren't able to get all the way to the lake. We thought we could continue driving through the park but they had the exit blocked off and unfortunately it wasn't posted until near the end of the drive so we had to turn around and retrace our path. Other then that it's a lovely spot to visit.

After visiting Waimea Falls, which is fully paved for the entire 3/4 mile path, this was disappointing. Only the sidewalks near the information center are paved. Hopefully there is or soon will be a plan to pave the paths (even those without mobility issues would probably prefer a mud free and paved walkway) but for now, most of the park is not accessible to wheelchairs. I didn't go down the paths, obviously, but they might accommodate mobility scooters with good traction. We were not charged a fee, but honestly, I would prefer to pay a fee and see the whole thing.

If you or someone in your party uses a wheelchair, skip this garden and make the drive to Waimea Falls instead. That location was totally worth it.

This Botanical Garden is a gem hidden away from the throngs of tourists. Unlike most formal botanical gardens, this one is quite a large park, with different areas planted with representatives of the different continents. Most of the plants are named so you can (finally) learn the genus and species of the beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers you've seen before, but could not name. There are short trails for hiking, and a small lake as centerpiece. Well worth a relaxing break from the hubbub of touristy Oahu.

Very scenic backdrop of mountains as you enter the driveway to the gardens. Good for bird spotting and a walk around the lake. Free to visit.

Stunning and beautiful. What an education on the species of trees in the area. It was one of our top 5 places to visit while in Oahu for 2 months.

Enjoyed the various trees; some birds. Liked identifying signs on some of the trees. Definitely recommend a visit here.

RUDENESS OF THE SECURITY GUARD !!

This is not a review about the park it’s about the security guard that works at the gate. He was the rudest person I came across on the Island. The first two word that came out of his mouth were f* off, go back to your car. ( this was even before we asked if we can go in and why not) He was very biased about who he let in and not. If he did not reconcize you, you cannot go in before 9 to walk. Some locals got very upset with him. He was swearing at me and when I can to talk to him he was shouting at me and swearing. This is definitely not the Aloha way. This guy should not be working here if he cannot do his job in a professional way. I understand rules but rules need to apply for everyone and not make them up. Some local ladies that have been living here for over 20 years came to talk to him and had the same conclusion: he makes the rules up.

This should not be the first face people get to meet and experience such poor manners of such a beautiful landmark.

Located In one of Oahus lushest areas, this beautiful botanical garden has plant life from Africa to Argentina backdropped by the beautiful Koolau mountains.
Well maintained grassy areas everywhere. A beautiful pond stocked w little fishes to catch.
Camping is available and recommended. It does rain in this area so plan accordingly, not that a little Hawaiian rain ever hurt anyone.

We loved the gardens! Traveling with my almost 80-year-old mom and the layout is excellent...short, doable walks and lots of pull-outs with great facilities on the drive through the park. Well done, Hawaii!

I have been visiting Ho’omaluhia for many, many years and I am happy to say that it is as beautiful now as it was 25 years ago. If you seek peace and beauty, come here, park your car (parking is abundant) and take a stroll. Or just sit in the majesty of the Koolau mountains.

We stopped here on a day with scattered showers, and would have loved to stay longer but the rain gods were not on our side. There are 400 acres to see, and it is beautiful. Next time we will bring a picnic lunch.

Staff was very friendly.

We spent a good 4-5 hours hiking and exploring the botanical gardens trails and areas. There are very well maintained trails that are nicely marked taking you to the lake area and the campgrounds. The trees are labeled and everything is quite well kept. There are benches and picnic tables you can enjoy and the visitor center has restrooms and staff who will answer questions. We found ourselves exploring some of the less maintained trails which was fun… the trails were not as clearly marked but were accessible, we saw some amazing views and ran across a wild hog who snorted loudly alerting us to his presence when we were in his territory then ran off in the opposite direction. It was a day well spent and so many picture perfect views!

We didn’t spend too much time here but we walked around a bit and drove through for some beautiful scenery

I have been to Oahu many times now, each time we have hired a car and driven around the island. This time I did a little more research and came across this place. wow is the best description. I think we were fortunate that it was a little rainy the day we went, raining off and on and this added to the beauty of this magical garden. Not only is it free but you can take a lovely drive through the gardens (in your convertible). We did not have the time to do any of the walks but still worth the time to visit this gorgeous place. Next time we would definitely allow more time on our schedule to spend more time here. Great photos to be had.

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens was recommended to us and, it didn’t disappoint. Very beautiful and relaxing to leisurely walk through at our own pace. Very enjoyable experience. No entry fee.

We live in Kaneohe where the garden is. It's a great place for a stroll, picnic, BBQ, family get together and camping. We've done all the above. They have free catch and release fishing with bamboo poles on the weekends, which is where we taught our grandkids how to fish. A lovely place. Recommend going to the visitor center and hiking around the small lake. If you like camping it's nice. Real bathrooms and clean campsites. Bring your mosquito repellent!!

It’s one of the few/only botanical gardens that you can drive through! Of course you have to since it’s huge, extending over 400 acres with a 32 acre lake and the Ko’olau Mountains providing a spectacular backdrop.
Stop by the Visitor Centre for a map and advice. The gates close at 4pm so unless you have a full day, it’s best to drive and park at a few of the stops. Though this park is largely in its natural state, which is a key reason for its beauty and tranquility, it is well maintained and curated. Every stop has parking lots, toilets and a sheltered area with tables, benches and sinks.
Stop at Pa Luana for a 10 minute easy trek to the lake for some fabulous pictures.
It was shady and cool even though we visited in the early afternoon. Comfortable shoes are a must.

We took the Lake Trail and saw so many beautiful flowers and trees along the way. The first part of the trail is paved, but it turns into gravel and grass after a while. Fishing is allowed at the lake. Admission is free.

Very unexpected so close to Honolulu. Layout gives the option of driving slowly through or walking from garden to garden. So many birds!! Wear sturdy shoes if you really want to explore. Be on the lookout for pedestrians and parents with strollers. Climb to lookout is steep, but view makes up for it.

This was a nice way to spend a few hours on Honolulu and it’s free. Great for pictures. The employees were very friendly offering pictures of maps and advice on where to go. We went around 10 am on a cloudy day which was probably the best because there wasn’t many people which helped make taking scenic pictures easier. There’s bathrooms spaced through out the property if you need them. There’s actually more bathrooms than I expected

The road into the gardens is clearly marked with “no photo signs” for the Instragram people who want that magic shot at the entrance. But there are plenty of other places to take amazing photos! We spent 1.5 hours here and stopped at all the stops to walk around and take pics. I’m so glad we went here.

Gorgeous views, very picturesque. This place is free. You can bring food and just have a picnic out there. It closes sort of early to me. Right now several exhibits are closed but the lake side is open.

Friends had no problem finding this garden within the flood control reservoir. This is the way flood control should be build, unseen blended into the environment. Beautiful lake and garden areas you stroll thru and around. Checkout art and photo gallery and visitors center.

Awesome and free place to visit! This garden is so beautiful and so are the mountains. If you go in through the visitor center out into the lake, it has some great spots to have lunch. There’s picnic tables and a water fountain. You can also buy fish food to feed them fish and ducks which always put on a good show as there’s hundreds of fishes in that lake. If you walk down further pass the lake you’ll have some great photos and views of the lake with the mountains on the back! 🤙🏼 *We saw an accident as we were leaving due to people driving too fast & not paying attention as they wanna get the worth famous gram photo! It’s a two way road people pay attention!!

Get away from the noise of the city and the hot sun of the beach and spend a day here. See beautiful scenery by driving the park and hiking the gardens. Bring a picnic lunch. Overnight camping is even available. Be prepared to see some wildlife! We saw wild boars and mongoose.

The volcanic cliffs backdrop is amazing.
We drove here, it is about 30min drive from Waikiki inland.
Very laid back but worth the visit.
Good facilities and a gallery but no shops or food.
We stopped on the way across the Island to Kailua beach.

Most Botanical Gardens we have visited have splendid arrays of flowers in artistic layouts; that is not the case here. The grounds here are 200 acres of trees, most of which are labeled so you know what you’re looking at, and there are flowers, but they are not laid out in color-coded gardens. Now that your expectations are in line with reality, let me say that the Gardens contained absolutely stunning natural beauty. You may also fish in the lake with long poles. There were many people fishing, and many others walking the paths. This place is for couples, families, singles, everyone! And it’s free. Free to enter and free to park! Wonderful for an island where everything seems to pull at your pocketbook.

Truly an amazing experience. We went thinking of a nice 2 mile walking area. We took all the dotted line paths around the lake and loved it. Well over 5 miles total with all the side trails. Awesome flowers, trees and foliage.

I don't really call this place a garden, they have no flowers! Only trees, no wonder it's free entrance. we did see a mongoose and that was the highlight of the garden for me. Nice ground for picnics and that's what it looks like it's mainly used for, lots of restrooms scattered throughout the grounds

This is a well cared for botanical garden. Several sections representing flora from all over the world. Easy drive to each. Nice short walks. I enjoyed sitting in the middle of a section just listening to the birds. Hardly anyone there. Wish I was there now.

Wonderful gardens, well maintained and laid it. Hiking is awesome for neophytes all the way to experienced folk. Well worth your time; fascinating collection of tropical plants.

The lake is teeming with big goldfish
Entrance is free
We stayed for an hour but could easily stay much longer

Seems popular with folks taking walks or jogs through the grounds. Not too many flowers but plenty of atmosphere. A couple buildi gs have activities for visitors, like botanical drawing group on Wednesday morning, or art exhibits.

It's easy to slowly drive through to see the emerald green flora and fauna. Then stop and walk at your leisure if time allows (which we did briefly on our own Oahu Island Circle Drive in a rental car.) The backdrop of the Ka'olau Mountains is spectacular. The variety of native plants throughout the garden is really impressive. Nice Visitors Center.

I expected a little more from this garden but we drove most of the way through and were not sure where the main reception area was. The scenery was awesome with a great variety of plants/trees. Only took a photo just as we entered but yes we drove through most of it. Great place for great photos and lots of land for picnics etc.

Went to this place last year is amazingly beautiful. beautiful lake and when you higher up you can see the rain on the mountains as well . When going there you drive through a neighborhood

A must see place on the windward side of Oahu. Not only can you learn about a bunch of trees and plants but you get to enjoy the stunning views of the Ko’olau mountains. I recommend driving (or walking) all the way to the top, and bring a snack because they have a nice little rest spot at the top. This is a perfect place to enjoy with the family. Don’t forget to bring your cameras for the views are absolutely amazing!

We visited the botanical gardens in early November. I recommend stopping at the visitor center and then follow the pathway to the lake. Many of the plants, flowers and trees are labelled along this walkway. The path is paved most of the way to the lake, with the last bit unpaved (gravel and then grass to lake) and somewhat muddy. It is worth it to go to the lake and see all the fish (look like carp) and birds. After the visitor center stop, be sure to drive all the way to the end. We parked here and walked to the benches, where there are some lovely views. There is no charge to visit these beautiful gardens. Well worth a stop!

There is a lot of ground to cover here. It is free so you can go in and come out as you wish. We had only a short time there so I could only loop one path. I will definitely go back sometime--especially to see the plants native to Hawaii. The visitor center has a map showing the different walks.

Well run place with helpful friendly staff at the visitor centre that explain the layout of the garden. It’s a huge garden! There are five sections of plants and trees from different countries. There’s a lake, lots of flora and fauna. You can walk or drive and park in each parking lot. There are also picnic areas. We were there for several hours and still didn’t finish all of the gardens.

Free to enter. Beautiful park, a lot of photo opportunities. No stopping on road for pictures tho. Visitor center small. Short hike back to a small lake. Trail was paved part way then a dirt gravel mix with occasional tree roots. I wouldn't try to get a wheelchair back to the lake. Trees at beginning of trail are labeled with information on uses of tree so educational. Some other areas for short walks/hikes. Great way to spend day away from beach and enjoy scenery.

Wonderful gardens with some breathtaking views and rare plantations to enjoy.

Be prepared to walk through rough paths and allocate enough time as the park is huge

Had a few hours to kill before our flight, so we drove up to the botanical gardens and it was very well worth it. Looks like they could have made the Jurassic Park movies there. Wasn't that crowded even on a nice Saturday afternoon. Also wasn't too windy whereas all over the rest of the island, it was 25 mph winds.

A nice paved garden with a huge pond. Quiet and a nice hangout with children. Seems like there is a conducted tour in the weekends. Visit only if you are in Kaneohe area.

Came here with my family on July 4th at 9 am, which is when they open. Admission is free. I think it could be easy to miss because it's located in the suburbs. I don't know if a lot of tourists come here or know about it. It seemed like a lot of the people there were taking their morning walk/jogs.

Parking is also free and there are various areas you can drive up to/park/explore. There's also a nice little trail near the visitor's center where you'll see many different plants (along with a description) that leads to a pond.

It's not exactly close to where my sister lives so I don't see myself coming back. But if I lived in the neighborhood, I could definitely see myself coming here often.

The park opens at 9am officially (for cars) but all the locals go there to walk at around 7am. The side of the fence has a walking entrance and it is beautiful for a morning walk. Don’t be afraid to go in, everyone does. The famous photo near the entrance is possible at this time of the day when no cars are around, so go at 7am if you want it! We were alone from 7am to 8am, and then a friendly park ranger old lady came driving her old Toyota SUV and told us pictures were not permitted after 9am but it was ok at this time as we seem to be respectful tourists, she even took some pictures for us! Mahalo my friend! We took so many pictures and it was just beautiful. I strongly encourage everyone to go there early mornings!

I am a local artist and enjoy going through the park to take photos for my paintings. The Windward Artists Guild displays their members work in the art gallery just down the road from the entrance. Always have interesting displays of art and the visitors center is there with information on the park.
Bathrooms are located there too.

We drove over for some peace from frenetic Waikiki, what a great move. This is a lovely spot where we spent over an hour wandering and viewing. Warm welcome from the visitor centre too.

We were so taken we drove off to some local shops, bought lunch and drove back to one of the many picnic tables. There is nothing flash here, it is quiet, it is nice, don't turn up expecting fireworks - just catch a peaceful moment.

Beautiful quite spot! After a short walk on a path you end up at a beautiful lake! We only saw 4 other people there, we attended on Thursday at 1:00 pm

Beautiful gardens where you can spend an hour or all day. Free to enter; plants from all over the world are represented in their own specific areas. You can walk from each geographical region to region or drive. There's a small visitor center to ask questions, restrooms accessible fairly easily and it's incredibly peaceful. A lovely place to stretch your legs and have a picnic.

I’m not sure visitors are that welcome! For a start, you’re not allowed to photograph anything near or on the roads, including the famous avenue of palms leading from the entry point into the park. Is this a top secret biological warfare project? No, just a view that’s now so popular so many people were stopping to take photos, the park authorities considered it a danger to life and limb.

We had the audacity to slow down so my friend could take a photo from the car window, and the terse-to-the-point-of-rudeness official at the gate was up with his loudspeaker within a millisecond, despite us being one of only two cars within sight.

This park has so many DONTs, it starts getting funny. First, the no photos; no stopping on the roads; no passing; no driving or stopping on the grass; smoking prohibited by law; no entry; area closed, no entry; all vehicles must be out the main gate by 4 … and the camping regulations had a pile of additions.

If you can shrug all this off, the gardens are worth visiting for views of the lake and the dramatic backdrop of the eroded caldera. Not many flowers though.

And yes, park personnel come out at 3.30pm with loudspeakers and klaxons to ensure you are definitely and emphatically out of the main gate by 4.

This is a 400 acre botanical garden with easy walking paths and large grassy areas. There is a visitors center, a covered picnic area and rest rooms. On the weekend there is camping and "catch and release" fishing.

Beautiful drive. We listened to the Jurrasic Park soundtrack while we drove around. Unfortunately the weather wasn't the best when we visited this park (raining pretty hard on and off). We were still able to walk to the lake, and lucked out to get a pocket of sunshine to see the stunning backdrop. And drove to the last point of interest. We then got rained out of the park as you couldn't see anything the rain was coming down do hard. Would love to come back and explore more. Very pretty! Not many botanical gardens have this backdrop.

Nice to visit we didn’t see it all, there was probably a lot more to see but the information wasn’t that informative. We walked to the lake but to be honest the walk down was more interesting than the lake. There is a lot of walking involved around the gardens, would like to go back and explore some more

This place was not what I expected. I thought we would have a walk through garden areas, but we ended up driving the one mile or so stretch of road and just stopping for pictures of the mountain view. Visitors have the option of stopping in various parking lots and then hiking into areas with plants from around the world. There were no staff members in the office to ask any questions. It would have been helpful to have some guidance. This attraction is free, so I have no room to complain!

after seeing this place on Instagram posts, I knew I had to check this place out for myself. I don’t drive so I caught two buses from Waikiki to Ala Moana mall - catch the 60 bus it takes you there :)

I arrived there at the gate and you’re warned not to stop and take photos (too many tourists / bloggers have done this too often that you can’t do this anymore. Who could blame them ? The view from the gate entrance is beautiful)

As I continued to walk my jaw dropped - this place is like something out of Jurassic Park - the Ko’olau mountains are so majestic no matter where you look, it’s just standing beauty. I went on a day it was cloudy - so the heavy clouds hung on the tips of the mountains.

It’s a mile to walk to get to the tourist info centre, bathrooms and a little museum.

I walked to the lake - wow oh wow. I finally got to see this slice of heaven.

I even went up to the overlook where a kind local drove me there so I could take more photos.

It’s a must do - you have to see this place and it’s for free !

It is beautiful there, so peaceful. You'll see a lot of plants and birds and beautiful views that make you forget Honolulu and Waikiki :)

Definitely worth a visit if in the area. The famous Instagram street is just after you pass the security booth. You cannot stop and take pictures. Make sure you have your camera ready and set it up on top of your car. You are able to drive about 2/3 of the road and than it is closed. If you get out there, the Mountain Views are awesome.

We had a car and found it quite easy. You can drive in garden and see the views but we did it by foot and it was amazing walk. Trees, plants, mountains, views, air - everything was extremely interesting and enjoyable.

Not sure why this place is not highly rated - the view when you drive past the entrance is just stunning (so is the view at the visitor center parking lot area), with the jagged mountains as backdrop. It was a real pity we went close to 4pm, which is when the Garden closes, and didn't get to explore.

Another of the 5 Honolulu Botanical Gardens, Ho’omaluhia means “a peaceful refuge.” The Garden offers weekly classes in seasonal crafts ($25 supplies fee) and its “Catch and Release” program (unavailable at this time due to COVID) can be fun for children. Bamboo poles with barbless hooks are provided; you bring the bait (fresh, white bread is suggested). Tips: Download the detailed garden map from the Garden’s website before your visit; the blue pre-printed maps available in the Visitors’ Center lack detail needed to identify trees and plants in additional garden areas). Again, a plant identification app can help you get the most out of your visit.

After hearing that you could get in a side gate for a picture of the front, we thought we would stop. We ran a little late, and weren't able to catch a good shot, but if you drive all the way to where the power lines are, you can get a good shot and some great views along the way. Worth the 30 minute drive if you have time to explore.

Even once you get on within the boundaries its a bit of a drive to the main buildings. But you can also get out and walk around, in designated parking, along the way. Sitting in the shadow of the Ko'olau Mountains, this garden in Kāneʻohe features plantings from major tropical regions around the world grouped geographically. Designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1972, the Ko'olau Mountain Range is located on Oahu's windward coast and is what remains of the island's eastern shield volcano.

Having grown up across the mountains in Honolulu, I couldn't figure out why I had not heard of this place. Turns out that it wasn't built until about 1982, well after I had left the islands. Even our local friends had never visited. Missing out. This is an extensive facility, but you can spend as much time as you want to. The education center is really worth a visit at least once, and the docents are great. Lots of interesting stuff and recommendations. The paved trail just outside the center takes you through some very interesting plants, and down to the reservoir that has a lot of colorful fish. The path is only paved for the first half to two-thirds. I would say that it is wheelchair accessible.
The "sealing wax palms" with their red tops were startling. Didn't know that allspice actually is a plant. Was quite familiar with heliconia and hanging heliconia, but had never seen a yellow variety, or the"Sexy Pink" variety. There is plenty of time to just be quiet and soak in the beauty of the Koolau Mountains, and the green of the rain forest.
Two things can be irritating. There are a LOT of speed bumps on the road. They really don't want you going fast. But they also don't want you to stop on the narrow road, blocking traffic, so that is forbidden. It is also understandably forbidden to pull off the road at other than the designated parking areas, of which there are a lot. Irritating when people ignore the rules.
I was fascinated by the display of the plants typically carried by Pacific seafarers to plant on the islands that they discovered and colonized. I'm talking about sailors like those who journeyed from the South Pacific to the Hawaiian Islands, not Europeans. These plants had specific purposes, like for food, medicine, and clothing.

Me and my wife decided to visit the gardens. It was amazing. The mountains are huge and green. The views are amazing. You won’t be disappointed. It’s a paved road with many viewing areas. You can walk or drive. Very relaxing and just a good place to meditate on creation.

Hoomaluhia provides a respite in the middle of a residential area. The well maintained, diverse greenery , many labeled, is an education, calming place to walk, ride or just sit.

The gardens are sumptuous and tranquil. It is the perfect way to delve into the beauty of O’ahu. It’s easily accessible and convenient and a real treasure to see.

This was our third time in Hawaii and we had done numerous different tours on several of the islands, but this tour/visit is definitely in the top three. We were lucky with the weather, went there in the morning, very few people and thus we could enjoy all the different parts of this huge garden. Clear maps and markings, easy to follow trails, we had an outstanding time there.

We lucked out today. Very rainy on the morning, so not many people around when we went there. The rain stopped but it was muddy, so navigating the trails were an adventure. There's a nice visitor's center and small art gallery at the first parking lot to the lake path. The lake path itself is the best part of the garden. Very beautiful. The rest of the park is divided into flat grassy walks. Pretty but not much in the way of flowers, just lots of nature. I can see why the locals use the main road as a walking path.

We visted the gardens on a cloudy, rainy day, but that didn't stop these botanical gardens from being a great experience. We wish we had more time to hike and explore all of the paths. It was quiet, gorgeous and we were amazed by the natural beauty. Put this on your list!

Disappointing as a botanical destination. A flood control project that provides excellent fishing for the children. Not so good as a source of botanical specimens in a brief visit although it had a good collection of economic plants from the tropics.

Sadly, my visit to this botanical garden was disappointing. The staff was surprisingly rude and unwelcoming — definitely no spirit of aloha here. When I asked a simple question about a plant, the only response I received was a curt and dismissive, "It's poisonous," with no further explanation or kindness. The grounds themselves are beautiful, but the cold and unfriendly attitude of the staff really took away from the experience. I hope the management addresses this, because visitors deserve better.

Botanical gardens in Hawaii are a must see for vacationers, and this place was lovely!. We were in the gardens for a wedding, the views were amazing and we have lots of gorgeous pictures to remember the special day.

The gardens aren't huge - and it won' take much time to take it all in. But I recommend it mainly for the tranquil ambiance. Sit and relax and just breath in beautiful nature.

This place is huge and beautiful. Great for a picnic or just exploring the exotic and native trees and shrubs. There's a ton of mosquitos so be warned and plan accordingly. There are campsites as well that you can get permits for to stay overnight.

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, Kaneohe, Oahu
About 30mins from Waikiki is Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden with Hawaiian and tropical plants and a man-made lake where large carp line the lake perimeter waiting to be fed. The gardens opens at 9am and entry is free. An online map displays the walking paths and facilities. Then you can drive to Manoa Falls on the way back to Waikiki.
#HoomaluhiaBotanicalGarden

Love coming here with my daughter. Walking down to the pond where you can fish catch and release. If you don't have s pole you can rent one for a very small fee. They have many pavilions on this site so if you want to plan a party here you can for a few of course. They also have a camp site at the very top of the Gardens. Many different areas to have a group picnic. Highly recommend big spray. A fun place to go for a drive especially after heavy rains and the Ko'olau Mountains are showing off its waterfalls. Bring a camera when you come to visit.

The visit was somewhat underwhelming. I expected more botany and effort to instruct plant lovers but had a sense of basically having visited a park.

The huge Gardens are at the base of majestic volcanic cliffs and feature huge lawns surrounded by tropical foliage. There are many walking trails with a beautiful reservoir sitting in the middle of the grounds. The small visitors center has some interesting Hawaiian historical artifacts and displays. Also, a great picnic spot.

Beautiful most scenic side of o’ahu, with the Ko’olau’s as a backdrop. Spend the day with friends and family taking in the tropics!

Many visitors may skip it and go for the "Jurassic park" amusement tour. But what better place could it be being it was totally free? You get the same amazing views of the mountains plus the nature's fresh air and soothing sounds. Many local students take their graduation photos in the garden. It is such an amazing place with lush tropical greens and marvelous views. The speed bumps are a little too bouncy but the experience has no match.

Very nice well marked trails and roads. Tucked back behind a neighborhood. Has natural art snd info center as well

This garden is free which is amazing. I did not however, understand this is a “driving to see” garden. We entered the nature center and picked up a map- nothing said to take your car.
We walked to the lake and then tried to navigate the gardens with the map- which was impossible. There is NO signage other than countless ones that tell you of eminent danger. We got hopelessly lost, asked at least 3 other parties who were hopelessly lost. We had no idea which gardens we were in. Most plants were not marked and no signage to give you any idea where you were in this very large garden. We literally walked miles and eventually made it back to the main road for the long walk back.
I share this only to save someone else the confusion.

We had no idea what to expect as this was a free experience. It was absolutely amazing - lush, beautiful, greenery, and well-marked trees and other foliage.

Tons of pull-offs with picnic tables and potties.

There’s a 20-30 minute walking trail from the main entry to and from a lake - part of it is muddy. Recommend boots. Otherwise, drive down the road and enjoy the greenery along the way. It’s a fairly hilly walk, so recommend the drive.

Beautiful gardens, lots to see and explore, beautiful views of the mountains surrounding the gardens, you need to make a full day or longer to see the entire place.

On our way to the North Shore, we stopped by the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens in Kane'ohe. It's a beautiful 400 acre garden that is located at the base of the Ko'olau Mountains. The park is split up into various ecosystems with plant life and vegetation from all around the world. This place has been very popular on Instagram but in person it is much more majestic and marvelous, that pictures just don't do it justice. A must visit when in Oahu. If you'd like to see more posts follow us on Instagram at @epochrendezvous .

It is off the beaten path since you have to drive past neighborhoods to get to the place but it's worth the drive. I have to admit that I actually wanted to visit the place because of the infamous IG picture that are taken at the entrance. They make it known that they don't want you to stop at the sides of the street to take pictures, so I wasn't able to take the picture...lol. But holly moly the nature! When you reach the center and hike down to the lake, it is breath taking, the nature is gorgeous! When I left, I thought that if I continued to the other road that I could exit while seeing the rest of the park but it's not; it comes to a dead end parking. It's a one way in and out.

Lovely place to visit even if it is just for an hour like we did. The scenery is stunning and there are lots of plants to see. If you are short on time just jump in your car and hop from car park to car park and have a little stroll at each place.

This botanical garden is something you can drive through and enjoy the beauty from your car, but it also has many walking trails as well as plenty of restrooms for those who want to spend more time. We were with someone who has difficulty walking so it was nice to be able to drive through and see so much.

Its a tossup: do I go here because it has a wealth of exotic tropical trees, flowers and shrubs in a natural setting or because it is nestled under the awe-inspiring Ko'olau mountains? Both! Great place to hike, stroll, picnic, even camp out over night or a weekend. Word to the wise, check the weather forecast before trying to camp- rain dampens the camping experience. However, when it rains heavily the Ko;olaus are unforgettable!! The reservoir occasionally holds catch & release fishing for the kids--lots of fun. Parts are wheelchair accessible. Hiking can be easy-on flat ground or more challenging up foothills. A place to return to many times & its free!.

My husband and I took our 6- and 3-year old granddaughters to Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden for catch and release fishing, available most Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am to 2 pm. The Gardens provide free bamboo poles, but you need to bring your own "bait," white bread. A loaf from the day-old bakery store worked perfectly!

Hats, sunscreen and mosquito repellent are strongly recommended. With instructions and our map in hand, we started off on the 15-minute (20-minutes with toddlers) walk to the large pond.

Despite some whining about the long walk, the girls were excited once we got there! With some help, they got bread on their barbless hooks and managed to get their lines into the water. Unfortunately, their very short arms couldn't stretch their poles very far, and the fish were really only biting further out.

We quickly decided to abandon the fishing and walked back to the near side of the pond where they could actually feed the fish and ducks. This was lots of fun, as both the fish and ducks zealously anticipated and gobbled up every bit of bread faster than the girls could throw it out!

If you have older kids who have longer attention spans, you might want to pack a mat and a picnic lunch -- many beautiful, shady spots to eat, rest and relax!

Be sure to bring bug spray and wear walking shoes. Paths can be rocky and muddy. Great place for family photos

I grew up on the Windward side of the island and never heard of this place until it was featured in a newspaper article and recommended on Facebook.

First of all, it reminded me of the lush overgrowth greenery that is in the Kahaluu area close to the hills. There are nice clearings that would make for a terrific picnic spot with family or a wedding venue (bring your own food). The drive in the park takes you through a lot of different levels of forested and planted areas and many off-road parking areas. You don't have to walk very far to get a picture perfect view of the area.

I was looking forward to seeing the lake. However, it appears that the path to the lake is gravel. In fact all paths from the numerous parking lots are gravel. There are many parking spots for handicapped parking. I could not see pushing a wheelchair in this park, however, I did not stop to see how much gravel was on the walking paths. We did not stop at the Education Center.

One of the "attractions" was a lady who appears to be an employee. She has been written about many times on Facebook. Because I was driving slowly to enjoy the scenery and peace, I pulled over across entrance parking spaces on asphalt to let the other cars behind me pass. She came out of the hut, motioning that I needed to keep on going, and nearly got to my car before all the cars behind me passed. I guess she has been known to be screaming when people take pictures from the road, where there are signs posted to not take pictures. (a little local flavor)

Another oddity of the park. With all the lush greenery, I never once saw feral chickens, pigeons, sparrows, mynah bird or dove. It was absolutely silent of animals (except for the lady at the entrance).

At another time, I will go again, and this time, go take a look at the lake as well as walk up the hill to the overlook. If you can catch it on a blue sky day, good pictures
will be easy to get and will be the envy of your friends.

When you drive or walk around the gardens, it is easy to see why the name means a “peaceful refuge”. If you are driving a car, you are not allowed to stop along the route to the gardens and take photos. Signs are posted throughout the drive. There are many areas where you can enjoy the abundant greenery of plants from around the world including Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Africa, Tropical America and Polynesia to name a few. Here you can take pictures of the mountain range, tree canopies and foliage. My daughter said the gardens has become a popular place to take Instagram photos. Parking lots, picnic tables, benches and bathroom facilities are strategically located throughout the park that can be reserved for a fee from Friday to Monday. Another feature is that the park has about 8 camping sites that can be reserved Stop by the visitor center to pick up a map to better enjoy the park. Best choice to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city.

An adventure to try I have just let myself be carried away even by the most difficult paths seems to live Jurassic Park I remind you that sport you because the ground could be muddy to try absolutely is free

A great (and educational) way to spend a day with family that will not break the budget. It's free!!!! Beautiful gardens featuring many species of plants from the Pacific Rim.

I used to take my sons here when they were small. They loved the hikes, the fish in the pond and the ducks! We also learned a lot with the way the vegetation is labeled. Now I take my granddaughters and they, too, love it! Another bonus is the art exhibits at the front of the park. I believe it changes every month. My favorite time of year to visit is in December when they have children's art displayed from Daunna's Art Studio. Pack your lunch and wear clothes that it is okay to get mud on and be ready for a joy filled day in the great outdoors.

Great place to go for a stroll. Lovely atmosphere and beautiful views. Probably my favorite of the five botanical gardens here on Oahu

It does not get more beautiful on O'ahu than Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens! Situated on the windward side in Kane'ohe, it's very easy to drive to off the main roads (or walk from convenient bus stops). The gardens have limited hours and close at strict times, so be sure to research before you go.

Driving through an unassuming residential neighborhood, the entrance can been seen heading mauka. A guard booth will guide you in. The park road is a curving dead end, leading through many camping and picnic areas. To camp overnight, you must get a vehicle permit at the office beforehand. Your first stop is the main office building which has nice restrooms, classrooms, and administration. It is here also you can walk to the lake through an area showcasing the main trees and plants found around the park. Keep an eye out for local birds, mongoose, and boar!

Each campsite area is somewhat unique; some shady, cool, and damp, others out in the sunshine and open air with beautiful vistas of the mountains around. Maps are available at the office and helpful to learn the names and see all the park has to offer. The road continues and essentially wraps back around to the highways, but the far gates remain locked.

My most recent visit was with the Honolulu Disc Golf Association, where an immense disc golf course was set up at the far end of the park. The course had the added benefit of showing off all the majesty of this location. Thank you to the park for hosting the club!

Facilities are some of the cleanest public areas around with showers, sinks, and toilets all with running water. They also have cooking areas, both uncovered for charcoal and covered for gas. This is the perfect place to come for a day of outdoor recreation or relaxation; great to explore by bike or on foot. It is great for group events. Tourists and locals alike must come enjoy this free and pristine place!

Perfect spot for any photos. Go to the welcome center before going anywhere. We never knew they had trails and one that leads down to the water. They will also recommend some photo spots.

This park is in a very natural state, and many plants are marked with their botanical and common names. Set against the majestic mountains below the Pali Lookout on the Windward side of Oahu, morning light is perfect for photography. Temperatures at that time of day are also more tolerable for a nice leisurely stroll without the distraction of city noises and such. We are Seniors and not able to walk long distances, but the terrain was easy to manage. Makes a pleasant day trip from Waikiki in combination with Valley of the Temples in the same area. While it seemed popular, we never felt crowded or rushed.

While in Hawaii, we were looking for something to do for the remainder of the day, saw the free price and decided to stop here. We enjoy being in nature and around plants and this place was perfect. We took a short hike to a lake which was beautiful and had a lot of different types of birds. The drive was slow and scenic.

I discovered this place on instagram and went early in the morning (7.30 am). Initially I was afraid about the reviews had previously read on tripadvisor about the photo policy bias.

When I arrived, the road was closed but there was an entrance open for pedestrians. I took great pictures in the main entrance road, where this spot is located (see picture attached to my review). Later, around 8am, Ms. Olive arrived in her 4x4 car as per it was stated on the comments. I stopped taking pictures, but she was very nice. She explained me that officially she could not allow to take pictures, but that she didn't care as long as the road was closed to traffic and even offered to take a picture of my partner and I together!

I have to say that when we were leaving, a family of asian tourists came to take a picture and she shouted at them and told them to leave immediately, so I was confused with that. Anyways, she was kind with me.

Later in the afternoon, I came with my car to drive through as the road was open by that time. I strongly recommend not only going there to take pictures at the famous spot, but also to drive with your car inside the garden. The roads are very well maintained and the garden is very large, so there are lots of nice spots with the view of the mountains behind. It is very relaxing to drive slowly around such wonderful nature and get off for a walk. I would recommend at leats 1.5 hours to visit the garden.

We were in the area so we decided to stop by these botanical gardens as the entrance pictures posted by others really drew us in. Unfortunately, there were no parking signs and cones from the entrance to thwart picture takers copying the iconic photo. We parked at the nature center and hiked a short trail to the lake. We decided to drive the remainder of the park as mosquitoes were out and the park was closing soon. While the mountainous backdrop is breathtaking, that is really all that captured our attention. Seemed like a nice place for a picnic.

This is not your typical Botanical Garden. It's more like a drive, stop, and view overlook experience. The variety of plants is mind blowing. They have vegetation from all over the world. The Mountains and Foliage is lush and green. The park is free which is great. I would have been happy to pay a few bucks to support better signage and pedestrian pathways. It's definitely worth a visit.

What a great free resource. Just the drive from the entrance to the visitors' center is worth the trip. We made the mistake of visiting after a heavy rain and the paths and ground were sodden, but the beauty of the natural setting and cultivated plant life were unmistakable.

This is a HUGE, free botanical garden. If you like plants, please go. This is really big, and I would advise you to go by car so you can walk in between sections more easily and stop whenever you want or go prepared to walk a bit. This is really pretty and amazing place to go.

If you are travelling by private vehicle, Byodo-In Temple is 15 minutes away. If you visit the gardens, I would include the temple as part of your day trip.

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens is first, and foremost, a flood control project. It was designed, built and maintained by the US Army Corp of Engineers.

I mention this because you will occasionally see signs asking you to stay out of, or refrain from taking photos in, certain areas. (I'm just saying).

The rainforest garden has plants from major tropical regions around the world. It also has a lake and walking trail.

From the visitor center towards the lake, the trail has a downhill grade. The first third of the trail is a serpentine concrete walkway. Afterwards, the trail is hardpack soil + aggregate mix. I would rate the walk as "easy" for most people who do not have mobility issues.

Towards the lake, there is a pavilion with picnic tables. There are a fewer picnic tables and benches near the lake.

The lake has a lot of koi.

Frankly, if you are looking for a botanic garden which curates and labels a lot of individual plant specimens, there are other botanic gardens on the island that do a better job.

However, this garden does provide a nice park experience; and the ambiance of a tropical paradise. (And this is first, and foremost, a flood control project.)

Beautiful and peaceful garden showing names and descriptions of tropical plants from Hawaii and other places in the world. The initial walkway was very informative with a large variety of lovely plants and flowers. We spent 2 hours here and loved the time away from traffic!

Great areas to take pictures of scenic Koolau mountain range. Yes, Kaneohe rains a lot but when it does you are rewarded with many waterfalls and beautiful rainbows. Locals like to go there to walk for exercise. You can reserve pavilion for gatherings and there are areas for camping too! Can be muddy. Bring mosquito repellent.

Beautiful garden we stopped by on our way to Byodo-In Temple. Many walking trails and a lake. Nice stop to get out and stretch your legs with beautiful views.

Bring mosquito repellant. This is very peaceful, a good place for a picnic. Outdoors each spot has description of the plants and birds. While not large, it is very quiet and a place to leave city noise behind and feel the island. Interesting to learn that many island plants and animals are not indigenous

More than you can do in one day! I have no words for the beauty. A must if on Oahu. Good birding, too.

Must see!! We drove and walked the gardens. It’s a must do. You can pull over and take pictures. No hurry. Spend as much as you want.

most stunning views on the island, for free! even if you're not into flowers and flora, this is the place to see the hills! forget the ranch this is the true jurassic park adventure.

A great FREE adventure for families. You can hire fishing rods on weekends for catch and release fishing. Great for kids to roam free.

We took our two kids (2 & 1 yrs) and had a great time. We walked to the lake, but once you got off the paved path, it was very muddy which we weren't expecting, so wear shoes that can get dirty. Fishing was closed this weekend, so call ahead before going. We were able to feed the ducks and see all the koi along the shore. After returning to our car, we drove down to check out the rest of it (campsites ect). There was such pretty views the whole time.

My mom and I were in Hawaii and my cousin drove us here. Breathtaking view for sure. I love that you don't need to hike to see the view. Basically, a few steps from the parking and you will see the mountains.

A hidden gem on Oahu! Beautiful grounds with friendly and helpful staff. If you’re interested in learning about the botany of hawaii, definitely put this on your list. The scenery and views are spectacular, and best of all, it’s FREE!

If you want a place where you can enjoy nature, specially the mountains... this is the right place for you.

Amazing view, different kind of flowers, well maintained and just a huge place with bathrooms all over.

no entrance fees.

I love being surrounded by the deep lush greenery of the gardens. Take a short or long walk thru the park. Perfect for all ages.

This botanical garden is beautiful, you can walk through it, or drive through it. It's gots tons of beautiful sights, definitely worth checking out if you're on that side of the island.

Great place to visit with the family, we brought a picnic and had it in the trees and stale bread and fed the ducks and the fish, walked around the park and had magnificent views of the mountains and the plants! Best day in Hawaii was spent here with excellent pictures and great memories. And it's free! They have fishing on the weekends and on certain Tuesday's of the month they have activities for preschoolers!

This was one of the first things we did on our recent trip to Oahu. I can't believe this place is free! Beautiful views. It rained ever so slightly when we were driving there, but not while there. Maybe I am not used to fully outdoor/more natural botanical gardens, but there was not as many labeled exotic plants I was expecting. That being said, it's a huge area and plenty of interesting plants to explore. Just pretty spread out and more "natural" than what you might expect at a smaller, more landscaped botanical garden. Definitely worth it, but temper your expectations of what you will see!

My 8-yr old wanted to go fishing while we were in Hawaii. The fishing charters were out of the question. I read about the catch and release fishing ho'omaluhia has on the weekends. It didn't disappoint. The visitor center will loan bamboo fishing poles and you supply the white bread for fish food. We spent about 2 hours by the lake in this stunning valley. Seemed like many families were ready to make a day of it, but a couple hours was just the right amount of time for us. It is a fantastic, free, relaxing experience. Bring sunscreen and bug repellent, the path to the lake may get muddy, though the day we went it was relatively dry.

Beautiful botanical gardens with many native species. A gem that allows camping as well as catch-and-release fishing with bamboo poles available at the visitor’s center.

To be honest, it was not in our plans to come here. It was raining and our beach plans got canceled, so we were trying to find something to do in the rain. We were able to drive through the gardens without having to get out. Immediately upon entering the gate we were awestruck of the beauty here and promised that we were coming back when the sun came out. We kept that promise on our last day in Oahu....THIS PLACE WAS FABULOUS. The lush mountains, tropical flowers: this is what I pictured the island to be...so thankful it rained!!!

My family wanted a nice place to have our lunch. My oldest daughter comes a few times a month before work to relax and go for a nice walk and she suggested we come here. We drove all the way up to the picnic area and ate under the Pavilion. We loved it! We also loved the misty rain that showered the verdant gardens. We enjoyed learning about the many varieties of plants from all over the world. We are grateful for the caretakers and volunteers who keep it safe for all who come to Ho'omaluhia!

If your visiting Kaneohe and need a great little walk and a nice area to unwind this may be it. Find a quiet spot in the Paradise this may be it, Find or make a lunch then mosey over to this secret spot for a tranquil lunch or nap.

We came here for the scenic view of the cliffs in the background and just to rest a bit from the scorching sun - it was nice and relaxing, and I was surprised that this place is actually free to enter and explore! Something pretty rare on Oahu - no parking fee, no entrance fee!

We chilled, relaxed and then we noticed mongoose families! We had seen these bad boys in St Kitts in big numbers but we had never seen the baby ones! This was a treat :) we love them and find them hilarious!

TIP: while in the area check out the Valley of the Temples or the Ko'olau Distillery (free sampling) or just go to Kailua Beach Park to enjoy some nice beachfront!

After several rainy days, we picked a sunny day to come here. There's an informative visitors center, art gallery, and lots of trails and parking lots at different groves of trees. Signage is a little confusing and some of the trails can be muddy - wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty. We applied insect repellent, but I still got a bite on one ankle. A nice natural outing alternative if you've had enough beach time. Several picnic areas, restrooms, and there's no charge to visit.

Oh my goodness- driving through this park is a must - please do not miss this. I took some awesome photos- we packed a picnic basket and had our lunch with the best views around.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and take bread to feed the ducks down at the lake which is near the information centre.
A definite tick of my bucket list

KANEOHE RAINS RAINS RAINS -especially in winter months . I live in Kahalu'u which is part of Kaneohe. These gardens are gorgeous and tropical--there are already many pictures posted to get the idea. But I'm writing this to say CHECK FORECAST first, especially in winter rainy season months (Dec-Feb). If it has been raining heavily it will be a soggy messy but still beautiful trip. If rainy weather clears, expect sogginess for a day or two until it dries out. Summers are best here but i love the rain (us windward folks DO:) so its always nice to me. Just bring rain gear if in doubt--as it can BE SUNNY IN TOWN WAIKIKI AND LEEWARD AREAS AND POURING RAIN IN KANEOHE!

This is worth checking out if you are already in the area. Admission is free. It was muddy when I was there, so we did not make it down to the lake. They do have 3 or 4 feral pigs in the area, which are not very afraid of people. Not being from Hawaii, my kids and I were nervous, but they left us alone (we gave them a wide berth). Later though, I did see them walk right into the middle of a wedding taking place there. Someone ran at them and chased them off. Do bring bug spray and be prepared for mud. There is a paved section of trail, which you can walk in six minutes, and signage about different types of plants on the path is good.

Amazingly well maintained, family-friendly park with several distinct sections with separate parking lots. Our first time to see a Cacao tree, which which beans from the pods are used to make chocolate. Easy access off H3, only 5 miles from He'eia State park, and easy access to Waikiki.

I am so happy they reopened! My hike up here was one of my highlights of my few months on Oahu, this is such a hidden gem! If more people knew about this being free and having the most picturesque landscape of volcanoes, we’d all be doomed. Get there early in morning and enjoy the peaceful uphill walk. Take pictures, soak it all in. I read some reviews saying the man shews you away from taking pictures on THE MAIN INSTA worthy street and yeah... he kinda does without speaking, but it didn’t stop me from taking my time, taking selfie’s and even asking someone to snap some. Once you turn the corner the views get even better.... when you make it up to the top there’s a visitor center and I picked up a pamphlet that helped me identify birds and continued walking through the lake. I read some reviews that they recommend bringing a car since it’s so long and spaced out but I ubered here and did all walking myself and I have no regrets! I spent 3-3.5 hours here. I sat on bench listening to music and enjoying my morning - definitely could have done everything in 1.5-2.5 but why be rushed!? Nature is beautiful

The place is well maintained and has many beautiful gardens within an overall 400-acre site. There is no charge to enter. They have fishing on the weekends but we went on a Monday. You can walk to all of the parks or drive to them. We drove since it was a little warm and muggy. Be sure to bring bug spray!
The walk from the visitors center is nice and can be done in flip-flops, but the path gets rocky and muddy so walking shoes would be better. We saw people trying to push strollers on the rocky path, and it didn’t look easy. There is a paved path around the visitors center to see the different types of plants, but if you want to go closer to the lake the path goes from rocky to just grass.

Extensive collection of trees and large plants. Arranged in broad geographic sections. Due to the size of the gardens and the distributed areas you can either drive or walk between them. Nice education pavilion. Two historic kilns off the road. Spectacular sights of the cliffs.

Drive through and enjoy the views. There are several lookout points to experience. I hope to return someday when I have more time.

We visit this place by ourselves, it’s a big place, a lot of sections that you will need to drive through them.
The entrance which is where you can see the big mountains with the most famous view of the park is very surveilled to avoid people getting out of their car to take pictures.
They have camping sections, a big lake and a lot of forest. Very clean and protected park.
I expected to see more flowers.

Nice excursion with children. The lake and surroundings get very busy with hobby fishers over the weekend. We liked the whole atmosphere a lot! Sure the gardens itself very nicely maintained with a lot of information on the local fauna and flora.

So close to Honolulu but feels like a tropical oasis. Hiking trails, camping, art galley, lake, visitor center ...andall the beautiful tropical plants, flowers and trees...be sure and take your camera. Even when the gates close at 4 pm, people can walk in ...

A great place for a local run among local and transplanted tropical trees/flora. It's roughly about 2.7 miles from the entrance to the very end of the road, but cars can only go about 2.5 miles on the road into the botanical gardens before you meet a road block. Walkers/runners can keep on going to the fence at end where it meets Kamehameha Highway and H3. Sometimes they film the new Magnum P.I. aboput 2.5 miles in, so you might not be allowed to make it to the end of th road. Did I say it's a beautiful run? There's more parking at the visitor's center near the reservoir about 1 mile in from the entrance.

This is a beautiful large expansive area (you have to drive between stops mainly) that has a lot of different parking areas, and areas to explore. I was initially very confused as I thought there would be a central parking lot, however it’s divided into little ‘pods‘ and areas with their own parking lots. The attendant told me the best park was right at the top. There are a ton of beautiful areas and walks to explore, and of course lush greenery that is very serene and mostly empty and quiet.
Just a tip: the drive into the park at the front of the gate features the palm lushness of the trees and mountains in the background. This had led to many people stopping their car for Instagram pics, however the attendants monitor this very tightly - so watch out! They were collecting license plates, and two girls were told to leave. I believe there’s a fine if you’re caught. Enjoy the parks and only park in marked areas!

This is one of my favorite places on Oahu. I often walk throughout the tropical splendor, exploring all the different areas with plants from various geographical regions. I feel immediately calmed as I gaze upon the ample beauty all around. I also like to drive through the park when I have less time. A good stop is the visitors center, where friendly people can answer questions about the plants. There is also an art gallery that hosts paintings from local artists that gets changed on a regular basis. There is so much magic here and the best thing is that it is free. There is camping on the weekend but it can be quite wet as it often rains in Kaneohe.

This place is gorgeous! It closes pretty early and is huge. I wish that I'd had more time to explore it. Would definitely come back.

We come here at least once a month. So much to see and do. Great for kids, on the weekends they offer free fishing..of course you can't take or eat the fish..it's nice that it's FREE! If fishing isn't your thing..no worries. Take a a nice nature walk or pack a picnic lunch. There's so many plants and trees from all over the world. They don't allow pets..dogs, cats..but they do have ducks and fishes. You can bring bread from home to feed them if you wish. I love this place..and grateful that it exists in this concrete jungle. Enjoy the beauty. ALOHA.

This is one of the many free things to do on Oahu and it worthwhile. I do not think it would not hold anyone’s interest for more than an hour or two unless you really were interested in plants and botany. I am not. It was, however, worth a visit. The gardens are big and there is ample parking. The lake has a huge population of fish that are fun to feed – so bring bread and they will entertain you for a bit. The overlook has a great view of the mountains behind the gardens. The botanical gardens are a good solid stop for someone in the area with some time to kill.

If you are looking for gardens that are collection of various species clearly identified, labeled with information about the plants, and this is not a place to go. There are several areas with plantings a different tropical tropical species from various parts of the world, but the labels are brief and old. However, if you’re looking for a beautiful place to walk trails or camp, this would seem to be a very nice place.

I guess I hadn't expected the Hoomaluhia Gardens to be what they really are. You can drive between various parking areas. Plants are arranged according region, but I am not a botanist and there wasn't enough information or signage for me to be able to make any distinctions. This was very disappointing as I'd hoped to learn something about Hawaiian flora. There aren't really walking paths per se, which was also contrary to my expectations. I thought we would be able to walk a nature trail or path, but everything was on grass. So, we drove from location to location. It was a gorgeous day with no rain and we did enjoy the setting between mountains. We also were prepared with bug repellent - I would not visit without this. I think we would have enjoyed more if we could have gone on a day on which tours were offered.

Took the family for a winter vacation to Oahu, and spent the better part of a day at the Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens. It was an unbelievable experience in terms of the sheer beauty of the gardens. There are multiple parking lots along the winding and hilly roads. My suggestion would be to stop at the first parking lot near the visitor's center and walk to the lake. Then drive to the very end of the road for the most amazing views of the mountains. Finally, stop at a couple or locations for other beautiful views. Expect to spend at least 2-3 hours, and bring with plenty of water.

Enjoyed these peace gardens, easy to walk around. The plants, trees and nature are spectacular! Even all the ducks roaming around were awesome. Very few other people were there the day we visited, so that made it feel like we were the only ones there! We recommend this place if you wish to get away from the crowds. And free to visit.

LOCAL artists work on display - changes monthly. Amazing artwork. The grounds are a plein air paradise. FREE ADMISSION.

Uncrowded with wonderful views of the mountain. Beautiful rain forest area up against the Koolau mountains that is great for children (especially when its not so muddy). Lots of parking available and a lots of picnic areas available. Really great labels for the flora, so you can tell the names of all the plants. It had been rainy, so the trail was muddy and we could not hike all the way to the lake. The staff gave us bread to feed the ducks. There is a very nice art gallery with a miniature painting exhibit of local artists. There are also craft events available including succulent wreath making. The staff was extremely helpful and let us know the muddy spots, great lookouts, nice smelling plants with very clear directions. Watch out for mosquitoes, so bring your repellent.

Interesting drive-through probably overall half hour stop there are some parking spots that you can get out and do some walking. It’s a free activity so if you have a little time to kill, hug, recommend it.

We enjoyed walking through this garden, especially since it's free of charge. They have a lot of beautiful plants and you get treated to lovely views of the surrounding mountains. Little ones will enjoy feeding the fish and ducks in the pond.

This was our second visit to Hoomaluhia Gardens. It is a nice garden if you don't want to walk a lot. There are small parking areas at various spots so you can visit the garden area and walk as much as you like. You can, of course, park your car at the visitor center and hike through the park as well. The park is beautifully maintained and the staff are helpful and friendly.

I enjoyed our visit though it was a little muddy, so next time we'll try to go when its sunny and good weather. We enjoyed the scenery, the lake, the fish, ducks and wild boar. If you want to have some serene and peaceful state or enjoy nature, this is one of the place to be.

One of the most beautiful sites, I strongly recommend seeing it. We really enjoyed being there. Nice scenery.

Beautiful botanical garden with views of the Koolau mountains. Has a wide variety of plants. Best thing is admission is free, they have plenty of parking and clean restrooms. Often overlooked as its on the other side of Oahu. Would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to explore Oahu beyond Waikiki.

I love coming to this place so much, after discovering it 3 years ago, that during our 2025 visit we visited twice within 5 days! It's a very serene and peaceful environment, I always find it so unusual about the roads through residential areas that leads you to this FREE park.

If you love seeing mongoose, this is the place for it :D then the greenery, the soundtrack of nature at its best, everything is so super peaceful and relaxing.

My biggest complain.... it closes sooooooo early! 4PM! I did not remember it being so, and thought maybe it's a winter thing but I was told it's like that all year round - so plan accordingly. We came here on a sunny day and also visited in a meh-type-of-weather day, both times it was an enjoyable experience.

There are restrooms, picnic tables, trails, benches etc. - all free to use, no fees to enter or park etc. - very rare in Oahu/Hawaii/USA in general :)

Hawaii is not all sunsets and beaches. These gardens are spectacular even on a rainy day. The rolling mountains offer a great backdrop for photos or just to relax and take in all the Hawaii beauty. Great for picnics and families. Always a winner to go here.

We visited the Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens at the end of October. Unfortunately, it was raining cats and dogs, so we were just driving around and jumped out for a couple of minutes.

This beautiful botanical garden was a bit far from Waikiki but accessible by public transportation. It was entrance fee free and had some walking trails, camping sites. I saw some couples taking their wedding photos, and I really loved the scenery here with lake, trees, mountain...

I discovered this place from an Instagram post. You can almost forget you are on Oahu. This place reminded me Kauai - beautiful mountain range and lush green. You need a car to get there, but no entry fee. Well worth a visit to get away from Waikiki crowd.

I enjoyed the drive up to the Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens, but it felt more like a park to hang out for a short while. I guess I've been spoiled by so many other wonderful botanical gardens that I have been too that this one just seemed 'OK'.

There is camping on the weekend but it can be quite wet as it often rains in Kaneohe. Beautiful gardens featuring many species of plants of the Pacifics. The visitor center has a map showing the different walks. I wish we can spent more time at this park. Bring a camera when you come to visit. Beautifully maintained.

We visited these gardens by accident on the way back to Ko Olina from the Byodo-In Temple. We just followed the signs through some residential streets, and we were happy to find the main entrance .We went there on a rainy and stormy day and that actually made it all the more dramatic and beautiful, especially with the high ridge and mountains in the background and the beautiful gardens in the foreground. We wish we had allocated more time to explore the many sights here. Throughout the park and gardens, there are many curving roads and small parking lots where you can stop and take a short walk to see more. Free of charge and highly recommended

very nice & peaceful alot of plants & scenery to see & huge lake with ducks & alot of beautiful fish to feed

Really nice free park accenting fauna and flora that can grow here. Spectacular mountain backdrop on a hilly park. You need lots of time if you want to see it all as it is large. Even saw campsites with bathrooms and dishwashing sinks available on weekends with a permit through City and County parks. This is NOT Waikiki. Beautifully maintained. Compliments to the crew.

This place was really enjoyable. Beautiful location with a view of the Mountains along the was just amazing. Make sure u were shoes that can be cleaned as it can be muddy in some places but well worth it. Wish i had more time to explore but maybe next time

Take a stroll through the gardens. Be sure to climb up to the observation point -- beautiful view of bay and the mountains.

Bring shoes you don’t care about there’s mud almost everywhere. Where your allowed to catch and release, is lacking fish and all the spots that say no fishing have tons of fish. You have to grab and sign for your fishing rods I was unable to take that famous entry pic with the mountains and the clouds because a guard is sitting right at the entrance waiting for tourist who disobey the rules. Walking 20 minutes to get to the fish was brutal bring your front carrier and leave your stroller at home you can camp here overnight and let me just say this place is huge !

I am not sure the must sees in the garden, so we drove around the garden to see it all. The area with the lake is the best part of the whole garden in my opinion. There are many fishes in the lake The plants looked healthy and beautiful. Don't miss the area if you go.

if you love nature and want to experience it in the purest form, please consider taking a walk/drive through Hoomaluhia botanical garden! there are many parking lots located throughout the garden so parking is abundant. when its nice and sunny, enjoy a nature walk through trails, make sure to take in the beauty of each tree, plant and shrub you see along the way, you will be amazed at how different plant speices are from different parts of the world. when its raining at hoomaluhia, dont be bummed out, take in the awesome views of the water falls from the koolau mountains! maybe you will be lucky enough to see a rainbow once those clouds disappear!
go on bird watches, or listen to the sounds of their melodies, watch the fish at the lake or feed the ducks located there to. there is just something about this garden that brings so much peace to my soul.

This is a beautiful drive through with hundreds of different species of plants, flowers, and trees. On this particular visit, the road was closed part way through, so we really don't know what we were missing. We pulled into one of the many lots and took a lovely hike back to the lake.

We thought we didn’t want to deal with parking on a weekend so we took a bus. Boy were we wrong. First, lots of parking. There are a few lots according to the map for parking. Second, it’s 15 - 20 minutes walk from the bus stop to the entrance. And from the entrance to visitor’s center another 15 - 20 minutes. Mostly uphill. Then the hike itself is around 4 miles (8 total back and forth) we just gave up around the lake area. Which is serene and beautiful. So definitely drive so you can enjoy the beauty around the vast area! And it’s well preserved so don’t wear slippers if you don’t like mud.

The botanical gardens are well maintained and have picturesque view. U can feed the ducks, go for fishing (only in weekends), treking, camping etc. Alcohol though is not permitted.

Very green garden with different plants and really awesome views! There are a lot of options to take wonderful pictures inside the park. The most famous view (on photo) is on the entrance to the park, but inside it there are a lot of cool locations also.
No entrance fee.

When visiting O'ahu, it is best to drive your Jeep or Ford Mustang through this garden. Fascinating nature. It's beautiful. On the road it is forbidden to stop, one should always drive at walking speed.

This place is just breathtaking. Nature at its finest. I could spend days there. It rained while we were there but that created a fog at the top of the mountain which made it even more stunning. Anywhere you looked, it was like a post card

Husband and I decided to check out this state park, it was open during reasonable hours. We drove through, plenty of parking lots to park at, able to walk around a bit & then get back into our car because the place is much bigger than we thought. The lake area is so relaxing. BEAUTIFUL views.

The lush tropical vegetation was interesting and beautiful. We'd have liked to stop and take pictures, but there were signs that said no photography from cars or along the roadside; I'm not sure why.

This is a lovely place to look at lots of tropical plants and the gorgeous mountains. I enjoyed the last stop of the drive the most. It was a wide open area that had a nice sized enclosed picnic area. It was a great place to view the the surrounding mountains.

There were some other areas that had plants from other parts of the world. They also had restrooms and access to the trails. We’re not hikers so the rather muddy trails were of little interest to us, but to each his own. Others seemed to enjoy them. There are also campsites, though not available through the week. The lake area was closed and it appeared that it will remain so for a while. The pictures looked like it would be worth exploring when it reopens.

All-in-all, I enjoyed the visit here.

I wasn't prepared for the vastness of this Botanical Garden but it's very popular for driving in, finding parking and going for a picnic, bird-watching, photography, walking on trails and enjoying the scenery. Plant collections are grouped according to geographical regions (Tropical America, India, Polynesia, etc.) with restrooms and parking lot in each area. We had no problems finding parking spots on a weekday afternoon and entry is free. You can pick up a map at the Visitor's Centre (2 miles from bus stop) and book guided nature tours (in advance). You can camp here too! Botanically speaking, this is a tree hugger's paradise and not much for flowering plants. Be prepared with rain gear, insect repellent and good shoes for walking. Love the killer view of the majestic Ko'olau Mountain Range. A great getaway from the busy-ness of the city.

We found this to be a peaceful garden a short drive from Honolulu with the best parts by the visitor’s center. While you can walk to other parts of the garden, it’s easier to drive between the stops. Other than the visitor’s center, parking was ample in most areas with restrooms usually located by each parking lot.

On the downside, while peaceful and pretty, this garden did not feel too special. The plants by the paved trail near the visitor’s center were what I was expecting from a botanical garden. However, beyond that, it felt more like an ordinary park. Many of the paths were also not paved and signage in some of the areas was lacking making it unclear what exactly we were looking at. Still, if you have time, this makes for an acceptable excursion from busy Honolulu with an unbeatable free admission price.

We drove out to the garden because it is a state park supposedly showcasing the flora of Hawaii. We stopped at the first stop and got a map and walked down to the fish pond. The path was well maintained as were the informative signs. We then went to the next stops and we were disappointed, very few informational signs besides the Latin names and the plants presented were not from Hawaii. We stopped at the supposedly Hawaiian collection and there were none of the flowering plants we expected.

Visited Hoomaluhia Gardens for the Blue Grass festival. The grounds and trails are well maintained and beautiful. A well paved road takes you from one end to the other with multiple areas for picnicing, fishing (catch and release for children), hiking and camping.

Amazing scenery, and free admission. Easy to access with a car, with parking near key spots. I recommend 1 to 1.5 hours to visit.

Incredibly beautiful. We parked at the visitor center and walked through the entire garden but you can drive through the main road and park at each parking lot, get out and explore the area, and then drive to the next spot. I’m happy that we decided to walk it all the first time we went. It’s A LOT of walking and a lot of steep uphills and downhills so keep that in mind when deciding if you want to walk or drive. They don’t allow you to take pictures along the main road, probably to avoid traffic issues, but you can take as many pictures and videos once you’re off the main road. The first path to the lake was my favorite, you get incredible views all around and a great view of the mountains. So many Koi fish in the lake. There are plenty of areas on the land to sit and have a picnic at one of the benches. We did see some people also setting up camp in the camping areas which was really nice. I highly recommend everyone experience this at least once when visiting Hawaii.

Beautiful botanical garden! Worth the stop-recommend driving from parking lot to parking lot as they are further apart than we realized and ended up doing more walking than expected

Enormous gardens with many easy walks. These gardens give you a sense of stepping back in time with a majestic mountains in the background to the lush plants and bird life within. We only got a taster with our few hours there. Recommend the walk down to the lake and head up the other end of the gardens to capture the mountains. Many plants were well labeled which made walks interesting

Peaceful walk thru the Gardens - nice stroll to the lake and around it. Such a variety of foliage - 1st time I've seen a Cannonball Tree! Visitors Center is small, but good into w/ knowledgeable & friendly staff. Also - good hike pass the Visitors Center and up a little hill around the bend - great expansive view of Kaneohe & Olomana (plaque explains the geographical changes in topography). Many nice areas for picnics - and you may be joined by a family of wild boar like we had! ENJOY!

A drive through this garden is like stepping back in time to the way all the land used to look in old Hawaii. Speed limit is very slow on purpose to allow you to see the scenery as well as to protect those walking along the paths. There is outdoor camping, fishing in ponds, hiking gentle trails and a delightful gallery for local art guilds to show excellent art exhibits by the visitor center.
Several of the exotic plants near the center are labeled with plant names. The public restrooms are located there also. If you need to get fishing poles, they are available at the center.
No food is sold in this park so bring your picnic with you. Remember to bring sunscreen, bug spray, and mats to sit on as grass could be damp. A bag to collect your trash is an excellent way to keep this place looking so lovely.

Great park for leisurely walks, scenic views, picnics and camping. Admission is free with ample parking, although, parking near the visitor center fills up fast. Suggest picking up a map at the visitor center first. Allow at least 1-2 hours for a walkabout or you can drive through the park in 20 minutes or so. Fun activities for the kids include fishing (poles available at no charge at the visitor center but you need to bring your own bait). Some parts of the trails/paths can get soggy and muddy so prepare accordingly. Pleasant way to spend a half day or more on the Windward side of Oahu.

This park was free the day we went there (Dec 24). I found the grounds to be very lush and attractive. I particularly liked the walkway thru the tropical plants of the Americas section. The plants were well marked. The rest of my family was not impressed. They were expecting a well-manicured garden such as you would see at a European castle. Instead they got something closer to a jungle.

I consistently have a great time when visiting park with my children. Good preschool friendly. Great for picnic.

Do not really understand why it is called an arboretum. Perhaps there is a tree collection, but interpretation is nearly non-existent with more emphasis on paving, camping, and picnic tables. It is free!

I wouldn't say this is a must see attraction but if you're looking for a place to walk or just really love plants this place is for you. Most of the walkway is paved and there are signs in front of most of the plants describing what they are. There was also a staff member walking around and answering questions. The only downside is that there was a sign warning of bacteria in the mud and to walk through it at your own risk. We decided to turn around near the large fig tree so we weren't exposed to any mud.

We stayed two nights in the botanical gardens, camping in the Kahua Lehua campground. Each campground has a limited number of sites (6 in our), so no chance of being overcrowded. There was a (cold) shower block, toilet facilities, and each site had a picnic table and a cooking area with tap. While facilities were basic, the view you wake up to each morning is unbelievable. Visitors aren't permitted entry until 9am, and the gates close around 5pm, so you have the entire park pretty much to yourselves.

Some tips:
- As the gates do not open until 9am, be wary if you have an early flight the next morning. Just let the main office know the previous afternoon, and they will be able to arrange someone to open the gate for you.
- Bring bug spray!
- It's a rainforest, so expect substantial amount of rain especially over winter. Check the forecast before you go, and have a back-up plan.

We stopped off for a walk around the place and to see the lake. It was a nice spot but I would only recommend it if you have spare time as theres plenty of other places on the island to avail off for nature and scenery. A bonus is that it is completely free and you can get some pretty photo shots!

This is really a device by the US corps of engineers to protect Kanihoe from floods. Lots of roads, parking spaces and picnic tables but just a lot of common tropical plants, almost no native vegetation pleasant for a walk.

Must-see, majestic landscapes. Worth going to meet. Recommended to do it in the morning, the color contrasts are amazing

This garden has an easy trail to walk, to get to the other side of the lake. The flora is labeled but many of the labels are faded. You can also go catch-and-release fishing, just bring your own bread for bait.

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens located on the east side/windward side of Oahu, is a wonderful natural place to spend 1 to 3 hrs. You can drive through the entire site. However, I totally recommend walking through it to get up close with nature and hear the songs of the birds. We also saw a couple wild Mongoose along our walk. The walk is a fairly easy hike along a paved road that has very few inclines or hills. There's also a small lake/reservoir that allows "catch & release" fishing which would be fun for families. I can't believe Oahu isn't charging for parking or to enter this spectacular hidden gem!