A Peaceful Refuge

The Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden is located in Kaneohe.  The Hawaiian word Ho'omaluhia means, peaceful refuge.  After just a short visit to the garden we know you'll understand how it obtained it's name.  This 400 acre garden is home to a wide range of tropical plant life from around the world and features a lake.  It was opened in 1982.  Designed and built by the Army Corps of Engineers to provide flood protection to Kaneohe.  Today the garden is open daily for those who are looking to escape for a few hours to a tropical oasis.  

Ho'omaluhia does not charge an entrance fee, but you do have to stop at the guard shack as they keep track of the number of visitors and vehicles entering each day.  Looking for the best way to experience the garden?  Rent a motorcycle, moped, or slingshot!  Nothing can top an open air driving experience to enhance the sights, sounds, and smells of this beautiful garden.

Parking & Entrance

After passing the guard stand, you will enter down a long two way road lined with palm trees.  There is no stopping or photography allowed on this road.  After traveling a little over a mile you will reach the first parking lot along with the visitors center.  This is our recommended first stop.  If parking is full, don't panic. There are several parking lots throughout the garden along the main road.  Just travel a few hundred yards to reach the next parking lot.  There is only one entrance and exit to the garden so it is nearly impossible to get lost.

Facilities

The gardens have restrooms, drinking fountains, and picnic tables conveniently placed around the grounds.  If you do need to fill a water bottle or use the restroom we recommend doing it at the visitors center, as the facilities are the best kept here.  The gardens also have camp sites!  If you are interested in camping within the gardens a prior reservation must be made.  Click the link here to reserve a campsite. 

Plant Life

The Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens are home to a diverse range of tropical plant life.  When the Army Corps of Engineers designed the garden they selected plants from multiple geographic regions.  These include; the Philippines, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Tropical America, Melanesia, Hawaii, Polynesia, and Africa.  With such a diverse group of plants, the garden has flowers in bloom no matter which season.  

The Lake

The 32 acre lake which sits just a short walk from the visitors center is known as Loko Waimaluhia or peaceful freshwater.  The lake was constructed to intercept water as it came down the many streams of the Ko'olau Mountain Range in order to prevent flooding in Kaneohe.  These waters are home to a variety or life including, coots, ducks, fish, egrets, turtles, bullfrogs, and mongoose.  One of the main attractions of the lake is to observe the hundreds of orange Koi like fish that will swim up to the shoreline.