Botanical Gardens of Oahu

Koko Crater Botanical Garden

Because it was our first real stop of the trip in a natural environment, we were amazed to see the diversity of the birds in the garden. We also spotted the first of many mongoose (an invasive species once introduced by farm owners to control the rat population) and were amazed at how quickly it moved.

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden 

We started our 2-hour visit at the visitors’ center, where there was a small exhibit space that highlighted the uses of tropical plants found in Hawaii. Picnic tables, informational handouts and indoor restrooms were also located here. Most visitors were making their way to a lake down a winding path through cultivated tropical gardens. We followed the well-traveled path toward the pond to see the fish (public fishing was at some point permitted but not during our visit) and waterfowl.

Like the other botanical gardens we found the map a bit challenging to read, and eventually it became easier to find my bearings by just walk along the road toward the top of the mountain. Parking lots with restrooms were located at frequent intervals because camping was available with proper permits. 

Foster Botanical Garden

Enormous Kapok trees stood out in an open grassy area outside of the dense collection. With more time we would have explored the conservatory and butterfly garden, but we felt the very affordable $5/person admission to be worth the cost even without time to see it all. 

Waimea Botanical Garden

We made it to the Waimea waterfall, located at the furthest point from the entrance, 1 hour after opening. The uphill walk took about 20 minutes, but shuttles were also available to book for a small additional fee. There were small changing rooms and restrooms, but for visitors who went straight to the falls it made more sense to wear swimsuits to the Garden. Swimmers were required to wear life jackets provided by the garden (cash tips were appreciated). The rocky path to the entry was not exactly treacherous but also not especially easy, with large slippery rocks extending under the water. A strong current running away from the waterfall made for a bit of a workout to reach the rocks adjacent to the falls, and after reaching it visitors took turns jumping into the cascading water.

Of the gardens we visited on O’ahu, Waimea Botanical Garden had the greatest focus on the Native Hawaiian culture, with a village recreated using traditional practices and materials, interpreters onsite, and information about the many roles of plants in the lives of the indigenous Polynesian people’s lives. Historically important archaeological sites have also been documented onsite. Each Saturday offered live performances with “cultural traditions of mele oli and mele hula from new hālau” in the upper meadow, halfway between the garden entrance and the waterfall. 

We felt lucky to encounter one of the stranger wetland animal VIP residents of the garden, the endangered ‘Alae ‘Ula’ or Hawaiian Moorhen.

Just outside the entrance (and available to those not paying admission) all our basic vacation needs were met with a coffee shop, bar and restaurant. 

Wahiawā Botanical Garden

We were on a time constraint to get from the Dole Plantation to the Byodo-In Temple before the 4:30pm closing, so we were able to only spend 30 minutes at the 27-acre Wai’aneae Botanical Garden. The highlight of the collection was the Rainbow Eucalyptus, a tree that revealed multiple colors under the outer layer of peeled bark. Steep shaded paths descended into a ravine through lush rainforest.

More Posts about our 2024 Trip to O’ahu, Hawaii…