Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden: How to Visit, Info, & Tips
Looking to add one of the most famous botanical gardens in Hawaii to your itinerary?
The Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden is one of the main attractions on O’ahu and I will tell you everything about visiting in this guide.
Quick Honolulu Travel Guide
If you’re traveling to Honolulu last minute, ensure you have lodging and tours booked ahead of time (as much as you can)! Below are some of my top picks on O’ahu.
⛵ Best tours and activities from Honolulu:
- Full-day O’ahu island tour (my top recommendation to see the island!)
- Waikīkī afternoon glass-bottom boat trip (a Honolulu bestseller)
- Paradise Cove luau (a luau that is great for families!)
🛌 Top hotels and lodging in Honolulu:
- Moana Surfrider Hotel (a famous place that I love!)
- White Sands Hotel (budget – I stayed here many nights and loved it!)
- Espacio the Jewel of Waikiki (luxury living in Waikīkī)
🍲 Popular places to eat in Honolulu: Senia, Duke’s Waikiki, 53 by the Sea, Merriman’s Honolulu, Sato Seafood (my favorite poke)
🚗 Traveling to O’ahu independently? Be sure to book your rental car ahead of time to ensure availability!!
This guide will discuss how to visit Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden from Honolulu, including how to reach it by rental car, ticket price information, and what to know before you go.
If you have any questions about visiting Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, let me know in the comments. Thanks!
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the following:
About the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden on Oʻahu
Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden is the most famous one of its kind on the island of O’ahu and it is located on the windward side of the island, not far from the Byodo-in Temple and other popular sites.
Situated in Kāne‘ohe, the garden was created by the US Army in 1982 (in cooperation with the city of Honolulu) to provide a flood barrier to the area of Kāne‘ohe.
While the flood barrier was the initial focus, they also decided to use the space to preserve and showcase the colorful plant species of Hawaii (and beyond).
Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden is located right against the dramatic Ko’olau Mountains and spans 400 acres. Inside the premises, visitors will find areas where they can go fishing at Wahiawā Freshwater State Recreation Area (usually referred to as Lake Wilson and, yes, a permit is needed), camping, and picnicking.
Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden Visitor Information
Island: Oʻahu
Address: 45-680 Luluku Rd., Kāne‘ohe, HI 96744
Opening Hours: 9 am to 4 pm daily (closed Christmas and New Year’s Day)
Ticket Prices: free
Parking: free parking on site
How to Get to Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden from Honolulu
Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden is around an 18-minute drive from Honolulu. There are two main routes; either via HI-63 N or the Pali Hwy.
A rental car will help you make the most of your trip, but taking the bus is a budget-friendly option (if you don’t mind walking a little).
Visiting with a Rental Car
The best way to reach Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden (and visit other attractions on the island of O’ahu) is to rent a car.
I would highly recommend renting a car in advance using a platform such as Discover Cars. There are tons of cars available and you can compare rates and vehicles that will allow you to rent a car that fits your budget and needs for your Hawaii trip.
Good to Know
The area gained fame on Instagram due to a road that runs down the middle of the garden with the Ko’olau Mountains in the background. It is NOT permitted to get out of your car and take photos on this road despite what you see in pictures.
Renting your car in advance also ensures you get one as they book up quickly on O’ahu.
Visiting on a Tour
Your other option is to visit by tour. This private circle island tour is a popular option, as your guide will tailor the tour towards you. This way, you’ve got input on what you see!
In addition to driving around Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, this tour includes a variety of other photography hotspots. These include the Hālona Blowhole, Lanikai Beach, Byodo-In Temple, and the Dole Plantation.
Arriving by Public Transportation
Those who don’t have their own vehicle can also take public transport to the botanical garden. From Honolulu, you’ll need to catch the #60 bus service (Kāne‘ohe – Haleʻiwa).
The bus journey takes around 20 minutes and then you’ll get off at the Anoi Rd + Hinamoe LP bus stop. From here, it’s around an 8-minute walk to the entrance.
Click here to see more about planning your journey on The Bus.
What to See and Do at Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
Botanical Collections
There are various botanical collections at Ho’omaluhia, each of which represents a different geographical region.
The regions represented are Africa, Hawaii, South Asia (India and Sri Lanka), Melanesia, Southeast Asia (the Philippines and Malaysia), Polynesia, and Tropical America.
They are all connected by a network of trails but some of the collections, like African plants, Polynesian plants, and the Hau trees are best reached by getting in your car and driving to their respective areas (where you’ll find parking and restrooms).
Loko Waimaluhia
At the back of Ho’omaluhia, you will find a reservoir called Loko Waimaluhia. A few of the paths get close to the water and it is easily reached from the Visitor Center.
Bird-watching
A wealth of birdlife calls this botanical garden home! There are some striking species found there, including the Northern Cardinal, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Java Finch, and the Red-crested (or Brazilian Cardinal).
The gardens actually have an entire checklist you can download, print, and take with you for your visit!
Events and Classes
Throughout the year, Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden hosts various events and classes.
In addition to guided tours, there are some fantastic activities that you can book in advance online, including garden meditation and botanical drawing and painting.
Tips & FAQ for Visiting Ho’omaluhia
How long do you need at Ho’omaluhia?
I didn’t stay there too long because I was visiting a few other places that day, but I did stay a little over an hour, which I would also recommend. If you’re really into plants, I would give yourself 2-3 hours.
There are several paths that take you through different gardens. And there are also a few gardens that need to be driven to (or walked on a main road to).
Do you need to purchase tickets in advance?
No! Ho’omaluhia is free to visit so you don’t need tickets in the first place.
Is Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden wheelchair-accessible?
Yes, most paths through the botanical garden are paved. There are also accessible bathrooms and parking on the premises.
Places to Visit near Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
Byodo-In Temple
Byodo-In Temple is around a 12-minute drive away. This cultural attraction is a must-visit, with highlights including the Amida Buddha, Bon Sho (Sacred Bell), and the Meditation Pavilion.
Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout
Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout is around a 13-minute drive from the botanical garden entrance. This breathtaking viewpoint offers striking vistas of the Windward Coast and Koʻolau cliffs. Paid parking is available.
Kailua Beach Park
Kailua Beach Park is under a 20-minute drive from the entrance gate of Ho’omaluhia. Here, you’ll find a small beach which is great for sunbathing and swimming. Bathroom facilities are available here too.
Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden: On a Map
How To Use This Map
You can use your fingers/mouse to zoom in and out. To get more info about a place, simply touch/click the icons. Want to save this map for later use? Click the ‘⭐’ by the map title and it will add it to your Google Maps account (Saved > Maps or ‘Your Places’).
Do you have any questions about visiting the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden on O’ahu? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!
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