Liliʻuokalani Botanical Garden — Attraction in Honolulu

This is a not-so-hidden peaceful oasis on the outskirts of Chinatown. First, the nuts-n-bolts: There is a small, free, parking lot off Kaimuki, near the Nu'uanu intersection, but be aware that the gates are closed at (or, often, shortly before 5pm). There is a bathrooms building, but it's been locked for the past few years. There are a number of picnic tables scattered throughout the park, and a windjng paved walkway, with handrails on any of inclined parts, that allows for folx with wheelchairs or limited mobility to enjoy the space. And, OH!, what a space!

The walkway trundles through an average park setting, cutting pretty close to the neighboring apartment complex, at an easy decline running alongside the Nu'uanu stream. From this side, you can see a disappointing amount of trash and debris in the water. It's really unfortunate, because you can tell a lot of it is washed here from upstream, not left by visitors to this area. Across a small bridge over the stream bed is a lush, grassy basin, with another (locked) building. This one seems more for events or something? This side of the stream has weeping willow trees, and view of the stream, with its charming little waterfall, that is less cluttered with garbage. It looks like the set of an overly romanticized historical novel, or one of those Hallmark hall-of-fame movies my grandmother used to watch.

At any rate, it's beautiful here, and not nearly as busy as one would expect. The foliage all around shuts out the noises of the city and highway, and creates the illusion of being in a faraway place. I strongly recommend this for anyone who wants to escape the grind, find inspiration, or do a good deed and clean...

Update: 08/03/2023

Mom and I come herein the mornings to this beautiful garden. We love walking from the kuakini street entrance and exiting at school street. There is the cooling greens, flowers and vegetation along side relaxing flowing water scape sounds. Mornings at 9 am mr. Wong is practicing taichi with the group, absorbing the zen energy of the forest.

Alex is the curator and caretaker of the queens garden. He has been carefully collecting and displaying native Hawaiian plants for over 15 years. Thank you so much for displaying the names and information of the different native Hawaiian plants. Learning something new every day.—————————-

Gate closes at 5pm but 1 night they forgot to lock it and had a chance to walk around. Love the QR codes to get info on Hawaii plants. Lush green grass with stream river rushing water sounds adjacent to walking path. So relaxing and a nice spot to keep in touch with nature. Praying mantis,, purple flowers,, mushrooms,, ferns,, green grass and so much more! Located between kuakini street and school street. Check...

❗Half of the photos listed are of the wrong place❗ The photos with the water fall and the moving steam/river are on Oahu. This park 🏞️ 🌺. The photos with the calm pounds lots of paths and lots of small bridges is on the big island of Hawaii. They have almost the same name just one is in Hilo one is in Honolulu. Just an airplane flight away from each other.

That being said it was a really pretty park. The waterfall is beautiful. The park is kinda small. There was a lot of grassy areas with plenty of picnic 🧺 tables. Some flowering plants not as many as other botanical gardens on Oahu.

It's definitely a good place to relax for a picnic or other family events. I would recommend checking out the botanical garden across the highway first, Fosters Botanical Garden, and then picking up lunch and finishing the day here.

The bathrooms were closed but that might be...