Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden

Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden

August 6, 2012

Nestled amid the crowded streets of Kalihi and Nuuanu is a patch of cool, green relaxation; the Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden.  The parking lot is small but seems to have enough stalls to accommodate a group.

Fiddle Leaf Fig

A fiddle leaf fig tree greets everyone at the entrance with huge leaves and smashed figs on the sidewalk.  The park is devoted to native Hawaiian plants so signs are posted next to trees and flowers to help visitors identify what they see.  Down the path from the fig and past the native plants, is a small walking bridge spanning a stream - with a small pool and waterfall.  Signs posted along the park are warnings of leptospirosis so swimming in the pool is not suggested.  

The people we ran into were workers on break from the hospital across the street and a homeless couple.  The picnic tables throughout the park make it a very easy place to have a meal.  To one end of the park is an underpass with easy access and shelter.  Not a bad place to live if you need a place to stay.  Kids from nearby schools walked through the park as a short cut and a city groundskeeper reviewed his work from a golf cart. 

There are large open patches of green space at the park with thick grass - hard to stroll through but easy to sit on.  Take a blanket as the stream and trees keep the ground moist.  Two buildings are proof of what used to be bathrooms but today the entrances are boarded up. 


Park hours are a little short - 7am to 5pm.  Around the corner from the park is Shamazu Store - stop there for shaved ice or a snack before you head to the park.