FREE and beautiful escape from the tourist areas. I highly recommend visiting this off the beaten path Beaty! There's shaded parking, and a clean port-o-potty. Read about the art inside the garden. read more

See all

Lovely botanical garden in Hawaii Kai. Free entrance and parking. The garden is located inside the crater and is much more desert and dry like than other botanical gardens on the island. The gardens open up with a grove of plumeria trees and then you can choose a route on the garden loop. We had limited time on our most recent visit in January and elected to take the Americas path which featured many cactus type plants. They are amazing and huge! Note that most of the plumeria trees were not in bloom and were bare of leaves in January. Great find, but can be very hot and dry so recommend visiting on a "cooler" day. For those that need it there is a porta potty just after the plumeria grove. read more

See all

This is a small, peaceful, quiet, and beautiful botanical garden for a stroll or a break from worldly noise. There's a lot of plumeria trees with different varieties of colors and all kinds of plants. It's free, wellkept, and there are spaces for parking. They don't allow pets, so keep that in mind. I wouldn't recommend bringing a stroller with you, because the ground is uneven. I'd recommend baby wearing instead. read more

Koko Crater Botanical Garden - Signs. No pets allowed. - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This botanical garden was one of my favorite parts of our trip. When you follow directions it feels like you may be going the wrong way, but trust the process. There's a dirt lot and some signage at the entrance near the parking. You can walk up and you'll see all the plumeria trees- ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. We spent most of our time in the plumeria section and took a lot of photos. We loved seeing the different colors and sizes of all the trees at their different stages of development. We continued on the path that we learned is a loop and you could spend hours here exploring. We saw so many plants and animals and snapped a lot of photos too. Make sure you bring some water and that you have a good amount of time to explore. read more

See all

Koko Crater Botanical Garden is one of the free Honolulu parks you can visit; there's even free parking! Since it's December, many of the plants are in their dormant season, but there were still plenty of flowers and other really interesting and beautiful things to look at. The loop trail is about a two mile walk and there's a little brochure available to guide you while you're walking. The trees and bushes are well marked with their names and other information and the brochure gives you more information about them, which I appreciate since I know next to nothing about plants. I can imagine how beautiful the park would be if everything was in full bloom. There were so many species of plants that I'd never seen before, so I loved seeing and reading about them. The loop trail is a dirt trail, sometimes covered with pebbles. It was an easy hike and I did it in my sandals, but it might be good to at least wear tennis shoes since it was quite dusty. Definitely worth a visit! read more

See all

What a hidden gem tucked in the back of Hawaii Kai and Kalama Valley. Have been enjoying the various botanical gardens on Oahu. Less are the ridge walking adventures for me and more of the leisurely walking trails. Recently enjoyed Wahiawa Botanical (be sure to take your mosquito repellent for that one!), and am a frequent visitor to Foster Botanical Garden in urban Honolulu. Koko Crater Botanical garden is more dessert like, sporting tons of varieties of plumeria, hibiscus, bougainvillea. Even saw some dessert rose plants. Best time to go when they first open and when its not too hot. Otherwise consider taking an umbrella for shade or a big floppy hat! read more

See all

This is a nice little place to go for a small simple walk through the dresser Botanical garden. It is cute how they have different regions you can walk through. Some parts can be slippery with rocks or be a little careful. If it just rained it probable would get very muddy. It is about 1.9 miles all the way around. read more

See all

Tucked inside the rugged Koko Crater, this unique botanical garden offers a scenic, desert-like landscape with a fascinating collection of dryland plants from around the world. The loop trail is about 2 miles and best enjoyed in the cooler morning hours. Highlights include towering cacti, plumeria groves, and panoramic crater views. It's quiet, uncrowded, and perfect for a peaceful walk. Just bring water and sun protection! read more

See all

I loved it here. We took a nice stroll through the garden and got to see so many different plants and lots of birds flying around as well. Definitely come check this place out if you're into plants and birds. It's really cool that they have sections for different continents which shows how Hawaii's environment and ecosystems are resilient enough to grow plants from so many different regions of the world. read more

See all

KOKO　CRATERのふもとにある プルメリアが多数ある自然ガーデンです。。 車での行き方は2通り。。 ココマリーナの脇から住宅街に入り KOKO　HEADの終わりあたりから右折して行くのと SUNDY　BEACHの先のT字路を左折して行くのと SUNDY　BEACHからのほうが 簡易で分かりやすいと思います。。 園内はいろんな種類のプルメリアがあり いろんな色の種類でとてもきれいです。。 5月の初旬に行きましたが とてもきれいに咲いている プルメリアがほとんどでした。。 6月が一番の見ごろだと思います。。 車だとふらっとよって サクッとみるだけでも とてもきれいなプルメリアが楽しめます。。 園内入り口に舗装のない専用の駐車場があります。。 read more

See all

I'm not sure if it's the season we went, but the garden was not well cared for. Everything was dead, and there were barely any flowers. We went in early December. There are two small parking lots for about eight cars total. We saw a lot of birds and mongoose, which was amazing. However the plants in the area surrounding them looked really unkept. It was free admission, so maybe that's to be expected. read more

Fun, easy hike in a volcano crater! My nephews had a great time and loved seeing the different trees and plants. There were some volcanic rocks from over time too which was cool to see. The plumerias were so beautiful. FYI there's only one portable toilet, and parking is somewhat limited. read more

See all

Not to be confused with the District Park... That's the one with the crazy hike that got me timing myself for the views, these view are very different...April is Earth Month and I wanted to view some of the areas that we are so lucky to enjoy. It's like taking the back route through residential neighborhood to Hawaii Kai/Kalama Valley to the Golf Course and just when you turn into Kokonani Street there is a beautiful stone wall that says "Koko Crater Botanical Garden" Yelp gave me great directions until the end don't turn just go straight all the way in and there's a gate to let you know you're there. At the start there is a handy sign with description of the trail along with some plants that you may find and right beside it is a mailbox with a much better information to take with you. I came because I heard that the plumerias were in full bloom which happens in the Spring and you know I just had to see it for myself though I did go days later which I knew would be a bit late...but better than never lol! Luckily the Plumeria Grove is right at the front and what a lovely scene of trees, though you're able to find them throughout the islands it's really nice to view them at your leisure in the various collection Koko Crater Botanical Garden has, I didn't do the whole trail since I didn't come prepared as the one and very seldom days I wore slippers and though you're able to do it at this family friendly trails the dry dirts and gravels does make it a bit uneven and with some areas that have slight incline which can make you slip it's much more comfortable and easier in shoes. It is very dry here and though there are trails to make it easy to navigate it can get hot so plan your visit and dress accordingly which I will do when I return to view the rest of the area. It is free and beautiful though not really well kept but the slightly hidden and more of dessert climate does presents a less favorable location versus a much lush and grassy places but a great place to stroll and enjoy the work that went into this lovely gardens. Thank you! read more

See all

Visited for the first time (in December) so plumeria trees weren't really too much in bloom. But the cactus varieties and Madagascar section were really interesting! Some things to consider before going: - it's an all dirt/rock path -about a 2 mile loop -a good portion is uphill -only partly covered by shade so may want to come earlier or later in the day. -only 1 porta potty My husband and 6 year old and I were able to complete the loop and she enjoyed it- easier than many other "hikes" while still being in nature. read more

See all

It's a nice quiet place I live nearby so I will walk up here it's free and a nice workout for me plants to see bring water as it does get really hot read more

We've recently been teaching our kids about Volcanoes and how our islands were made, and all that good stuff. So, I was in search of an outdoor activity pertaining to volcanoes that we could do with them. I know the trail at Diamond Head exists, but may be quite difficult for a two and four year old. I was definitely not about to take them to the more popular Koko Head Trail, so I was happy to see that there was an easy, fairly flat trail inside the botanical gardens, thanks to reading other awesome Yelp reviews! So inside, there is a fairly flat, pretty easy walking trail, that was perfect for our little "field trip". Its about 2 miles long. Along the way, there are many, many plants and flowers to look at, and also amazing views as well. I was a fun family Adventure, and educational for the kiddos as well, aaannnddd, it was free, besides the long drive to get there, but that's fine. There was also a free brochure at the beginning of the trail with a map, and a small lesson on the geology of Koko Crater. This is definitely a place I'll bring them again, not only is there so much more for them to learn, it's not like they'll remember everything they leaned that day in a year or so since they're still so young. But I hope they'll at least remember the memories we've made as a family for now... read more

See all

Nature hike in Honolulu, Hawaii... Strolling around a Hawaiian volcanic Crater doesn't get much better than this! There are five Botanical Gardens on the Island of O'ahu: 1. Hoomaluhia (in Kaneohe) 2. Wahiawa 3. Foster Garden (Honolulu) 4. Liliuokalani (Honolulu) 5. Koko Crater (Honolulu) My friend asked me what I wanted to do since she had a day off. Visiting Koko Crater was a Bucket list item for me, so, we made a trek out to the Hawaii Kai area. This two mile loop trail is not to be confused with the Koko Head railroad trail which is treacherous and steep. Rather - the path at Koko Crater Botanical Garden - while unpaved - has a few inclines... The highest incline might be 45°. There were loose rocks and gravel here and there. The dirt road was dry on 2-8-23 (not muddy even though there were thunder showers recently). Parking was free in an unmarked gravel lot. Just enter through the gate and park alongside any other vehicle. Note the signs which indicate "No Parking" areas. We saw an informational sign at the beginning. There was a mailbox (next to the sign) containing brochures/maps. The decision to make is: whether to venture clockwise or counterclockwise. We chose counterclockwise and walked past the Plumeria Grove and the Bougainvillea Collection first. Out of all of the different sections (African, Hawaiian, Hybrid Hibiscus, Dry Palms, etc.), I liked the Americas Section the best. I felt like I was in Arizona - or maybe Las Vegas' Red Rock Canyon on a tinier scale. Finding a desert in The Tropics is quite the thrill, don't you agree? All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to return to this unique oasis. We saw four mongooses, a Pacific Golden Plover, and a Monarch butterfly! One hour of Free entertainment on a blustery day, sponsored by Mother Nature, is much appreciated! read more

See all

This is more like an arboretum than a botanical garden, although there were many smaller plants and shrubs on display as one walked around the two mile trail. It's always great to see an area like this set aside to allow people to hike and enjoy nature, but so much more could have been done with this property with so little effort to make it a LOT better. For one thing, the trails could have been labeled better and signs with maps could have been posted on the trails at certain intervals. People could use their cell phones to take photos so paper maps would not be necessary. Secondly, many of the plants on the trails were not labeled or highlighted properly. Some of them are rare in cultivation, even at a property like this, and should be labeled with even a small paragraph written about them. Lastly, the trails could be "cleaned up" a little bit by smoothing out the ruts and areas that made it difficult to walk. read more

If you're looking for a easy "hike" I would suggest this 1.7 mile loop, it's great for families and the elderly. Flat land, barely any incline. Lots of picnic tables to sit, relax, eat lunch if you had packed one. You get to take in the incredible sights of a variety of cool and beautiful looking plants. I was awe'd to see the cacti, they were huge! When I was a kid, the first cacti I ever saw was my neighbors house who had A LOT on their lawn. Out of all the botanical gardens i've been to, this was a new experience. The plants were definitely the best sight to see on this island. read more

Koko Crater Botanical Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Visited the Koko Crater Botanical Garden today with my two kids (6 and 8). Not a big fan. It's more of a 2-3 mile hike with a few pretty flowers on the path. It's super hot with no wind or shade. If you're looking for a hike or really into flowers, than this is for you. If you're looking for something fun to do with the kiddos, this really isn't for you. read more

Koko Crater Botanical Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

An absolutely beautiful walk among the plumerias!! A must see in March to April for the flowers. Easy walk and lots of flowers and the great fragrance. One must praise God and the gardeners for the beauty. And it was opened in 1958! I can't believe this place was here and I've played golf next door many many times over the past 20 plus years. So get on out for an easy stroll through some great gardens. read more

See all

Koko Crater Botanical Garden was a surprisingly interesting little stroll. Who would've thought there's a desert in Hawaii? This garden is filled with cacti and many other plants from Africa and Madagascar. This botanical garden is located in Hawaii Kai. Kalama Valley to be more precise. The entrance on Kokonani St, which will be the first right, after you make a right turn from Hawai Kai Dr. onto Kealahou St. The golf course will be visible from both sides. Just drive all the way up, and into the small, rock filled parking lot. You'd want to wear thick shoes because the whole pathway is lined with jagged rocks. The hours are from dawn till dusk. It's a short two mile walk that loops around the garden. There are side paths too that take you to other areas and different plants, but you can pretty much wander about. Overall, I can't say it was an amazing botanical garden or a very well kept one. There's a lot of empty areas, many of the signs have faded away and are too far to view. Don't take a deep breath in to breathe in nature at the beginning of the garden because it's right next to a horse stable, and you'll get a nice, piquant smell of horse manure. Wait till you reach the intersection, then it's okay to breathe it in. There were a few interesting plants and trees, such as a lantern/melon looking one with flowers inside, a huge moringa tree, and a tree that's been taken over by climbing cactus. Some of those cacti are pretty scary looking that's fitting for a horror, monster movie. It's still a nice walk that's not busy. A good alternative to the always busy lighthouse hike, and definitely an interesting view of Koko Crater. read more

See all

If you're into photography, you must add Koko Crater Botanical Garden to your list. The loop is only a few miles and you'll get to see a variety of climates within the crater. It's interesting to watch the climate zones with in the crater change. Bring water! There are no vendors along the way. read more

I can't believe I never reviewed Koko Crater Botanical Garden! It's one of my go-to spots to exercise and be with nature. This is my son's first hike at 4 months old! Good thing, because there aren't too many steep inclines and the loop is easy to follow. There is relatively a lot of shade, too. I carried my son in his sling, and after about a mile, he slept the rest of the way. It's located in Hawaii Kai right next to golf course and horse stable. It has its own parking lot, which is great, and there's even a well-maintained port-a-potty about 1/4 of a mile into the hike. The loop is 2 miles and takes you through a plumeria tree grove, an awesome cactus garden, through a Hawaiiana section and out through the Africa section. I always enjoy the cactus section and the Africas section. If you need a break, there's shade in the Hawaiiana section. Picnic tables can be found throughout, so you can pack a lunch if you like. I recommend bringing water because it can get VERY dessert-like. One time, I posted a picture of my hubby and I in front of the giant cactus on Facebook and pretended we were in Mexico, and people believed us! It's that dry and arid looking! The other thing I love about this hike is that it's SO quiet. You can't hear any road noise and you'll hearing plenty of birds chirping. Paradise! read more

See all

Love coming here for a short walk/hike. Usually takes us about 1hr to loop around with some breaks to take pics of all the cool and beautiful plants. The garden is broken up into different sections which are for the most part, clearly marked. If you can, try to go when plumerias are blooming so that you can enjoy looking at/smelling all the different varieties. I would recommend to come early to make sure you can get a good parking spot. Trail is gravel/dirt so make sure to have good shoes. No bathrooms, just a porta-porty. Bring your own water, or even a picnic! Lots of benches and tables around the trail to stop at. read more

See all

Koko Crater botanical garden is a lovely 2 mile loop path that takes you on a journey through 60 acres of plant collections. You could do the hike in slippers since there's only a slight incline in some areas but I would definitely recommend shoes due to the dry and dusty nature of most areas and loose gravel and dirt in other areas. In the beginning you will pass by beautiful plumerias and bougainvillea, this area was a bit crowded when I got there so I passed by quickly and then lingered around at the end of my hike. After that area, you have the choice of clockwise or counterclockwise, doesn't seem to really make a difference either way. I used the map in correlation with the highlighted trees to figure out where I was but I think it'd be more helpful if the paths that branched out had some sort of numbered marker since I was kinda guessing for the areas marked as "other pathways" lol. I really enjoyed stumbling upon the heart rock collection! In the Hawaii area, there's a few picnic tables to choose from with a nice view and refreshing breeze to enjoy a quick break with snacks. Overall, a peaceful and serene area with beautiful scenery, great for all ages (but no dogs, sorry)! Other things to note: - Always bring drinking water. - Bring an umbrella and/or a small fan if you get hot easily, there's a lot of shade to choose from and some nice windy areas but just in case. - Parking is limited in an unmarked gravel lot. - The website states that it's open daily from sunrise to sunset, obviously that doesn't give it a concrete time but I would say 8am-5pm is probably a safe bet. read more

See all

This is located in a great spot in the crater- so it is away from the wind. Lots of curving and small hills on the 2 mile trail and other shorter options. This is a somewhat wild and arid garden so do not come expecting manicured lush, ferns and tropical green everywhere- no grass. Huge plumeria ' forest ' and the beginning, and just a few spots to sit along the paths. Great spot to take mom on a windy day, especially if she likes to smell all the plumeria. Happy birthday Mom! The bird symphony is wonderful in the early morning. read more

See all

Do not sit on the barrel cactus. REOPENED. Oahu's most unusual botanical garden with native Hawaiian dry land plants, cacti from the South West US, bizarre dragon's blood trees and coral trees of Madagascar plus towering baobabs and silk cotton trees from Africa. Cycads from the age of the dinosaurs, unusual flowering "plants", the list goes on and on. Added bonus, exercise! The "quick loop" is two miles, add another two miles if you want to see all the plantings. Note: This is NOT the typical botanical garden. Do not go looking for pristine groves or sculpted gardens. While there are signs in each planting with the scientific and common name of plants the pathways are unimproved (AKA dirt paths) and resident kiawe trees and haole koa are everywhere. Open from sunrise to sunset. Free parking (you may come back to your car to find a chicken on the roof). Free admission. Dogs not allowed (see tips and you'll understand why). Tips: -- Hot and dry with little shade. Bring your own water. Wear sunscreen. -- No barricades or fences around any plants including the cactus. Get too close or fall in, it's your fault. -- Lots of poisonous plants. Do not pick or touch. ** Wear shoes (preferable hiking shoes). Kiawe trees drop long, sharp thorns that litter the pathways. I wore running shoes and a thorn penetrated the rubber sole. Get out and enjoy! We deserve it! We stomped our curve by all following the guidelines and together worked hard for our utopia. Disclaimer (say it quick like a pharma commercial): Practice responsible social distancing. Parties of 10 of less from the same household only. And tourists, stay the F away if you didn't finish your 14 day quarantine! read more

See all

Given that there are many botanical gardens in Oahu, I was really excited to check out Koko Crater! It took my party about an hour and a half bus ride from Waikiki and 15 minutes of walking to get to it -- only for it to be closed! I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't anyone around to answer any questions (and noticed that a couple of folks bypassed the area that said it was closed and went in anyway). read more

Cyndy's Bottom Line: An interesting selection of dry land plants from Madagascar to Africa and endemic plants of Hawaii. *No admission fee *Gravel parking area near entrance *No restrooms just a portapotty *Bring drinking water *Wear good walking shoes and a hat *Wear sunscreen I did not know that there was a botanical garden in koko crater. Who knew? So we decided to check out the Koko Crater Botanical Garden (KCBG) to see the terrain and the collection of dry land plants and trees. There is a loop trail (2 miles) which runs through the collections. You start on the trail in the outer crater with plumeria and bougainvillea cultivars. There are kiawe (Prosopis pallida) and koa haole (Leucaena leucocephala) trees. There are about 500 trees and 200 species of trees. The trail includes four major plant collections organized by region (Africa, the Americas, Hawaii, and Pacifica). KCBG has a good selection of endemic Hawaiian plants. All the plants are well labeled and identified. I have not seen a koa tree before and I was amazed to see the beautiful trees with the sickle -shaped leaves. The Koa tree is endemic to Hawai'i and can be found on all the main islands except Kaho'olawe and Ni'ihau. Koa is the largest native tree species in the Hawaiian islands, reaching heights of approximately 115 feet. Koa wood was used by the early Hawaiians to build ocean-going canoes, surfboards, spear handles, and ukuleles. Koa was considered the wood of Hawaiian royalty. read more

See all

Drove by to see if the trail was open, and yes it was. A number of people were walking the trail. The parking lot although not paved was clean and pot hole free. Covid reminders posted at entrance. Stay safe and wear your mask. read more

Koko Crater Botanical Garden - Foot of trail - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

What a pleasant surprise! I read the reviews about the plumeria grove but I was still surprised by how many there were - and such lovely varieties. We had a 1.5 and 3 year old with us so we had low expectations for our ability to complete the 2 mile walk (which is actually probably more like 2.5 miles because the loop begins after the plumeria grove). We didn't bring a stroller because the path was unpaved (although in retrospect we probably could've done it with a stroller). But our 3 year old was so enamored by the different types of trees that she did the almost the entire walk without complaining. The 1.5 year old survived in our baby carrier. My 3 year old loved seeing the cacti, sausage tree, and the many other trees with nut-like items dropping off them. She collected a big collection of these items. Best part was because the garden is in a crater, we were in the shade until about 10AM while we walked the loop. (Obviously the shade in the center of the crater where the plumeria grove was depleted much sooner.) read more

Koko Crater Botanical Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Was a great walk w coworkers! Nice to see them outside of work and a few of the local wahiawa es able to teach us about the trees and flowers grown here.. read more

See all

Love to come in very late during daylight hours. It's a bit cooler and less crowded. So it's a botanical garden, so some things are dormant while others are in full bloom mode. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. There is a portapotty 2minutes into the loop trail. One security guard is at the left of entrance. read more

See all

I found this while searching for things to do on a staycation. It was a good fit for us. The trail was fairly level and covered by trees all around the crater to where it wasn't an exhausting hike in the sun. There was sufficient parking at the start of the trail but just enough it seemed during our visit. The start of the trail was the best for us with the walk through huge plumeria trees and other flowering plants that were very picturesque and beautiful given the multitude of colors and smells. As the trail continued there were a variety of trees and cactus that were very interesting to add. Overall, a nice, easy hike with pleasant scenery. A good, free, botanical garden to visit in comparison to others I've been to where flowers are not abundant. read more

See all

Seriously had no clue that there was anything inside the Koko Crater except brush and kiawe. But to my great surprise, a unique botanical garden exists here. The main attraction are the huge variety of plumeria! Who knew there were so many different kinds? The other cool thing is the "Africa" section with plants that thrive in dry climates. Huge cacti and interesting trees abound here. The loop is about 2 miles or so, and is dirt path. Very easy to walk and enjoy. Highly recommend. read more

"A rose is a rose, and was always a rose, But the theory now goes That the apple's a rose, And the pear is, and so's The plum I suppose. The dear only knows What will next prove a rose. You of course are a rose-- But were always a rose." Robert Frost (1874-1963) Lovely and uplifting. Nice public gardens located on the leeward side of Koko Crater. During a recent family visit, our guests who are amateur plumeria cultivators asked if there was a place they could view lots of plumeria. Our answer was to take them here. Having hiked Kokohead crater for the past 11 years, I've always seen the botanical garden from the summit but never visited until now. Immediately upon entering the park you encounter the extensive plumeria grove. We counted over 20 different plumeria varieties and our guests were absolutely enthralled with the experience. They spent close to two hours just viewing plumeria and commenting on the rarity and commonality of each variety. We learned a lot that day. Would've enjoyed strolling around the remaining gardens but we ran out of time so that will have to wait for another day, but as Robert Frost also writes: "Yet Knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back" There are restroom facilities located right off the parking lot which was a pleasant surprise. Parking fo' days although the lot is not paved. My only recommendation is to bring a hat and some water as it gets quite hot during the day and the sun on that side of the mauka can get brutal. Highly recommended for all garden lovers. Mahalo for reading my review. read more

I finally made it to this gorgeous botanical garden this week after saying "we need to go check that out" only about a thousand times. I'm so glad we did! This isn't the lush tropical rain forest of Lyon Arboretum. It's a garden of the dry, arid desert plants all wrapped in the circle of Koko crater. How cool is that? The trail is about two miles of easy walking and is unpaved. It begins with a grove of plumeria trees. I love plumerias for their delightful smells and colors, but this was actually a big surprise. I hadn't seen many of the varieties before! Some were exceptionally vibrant, others had long petals. Still others had petals with a little twist as the end. I loved it and took way too many photos. Next is a grouping of cacti and agave plants. There are so many varieties in subtle desert colors and patterns. Some trees had climbing cacti that looked like snakes. Wild! Some of the cacti has awesome flowers growing. The trail eventually transitions to some Hawaiian plants then African and Madagascan. There were weird, cool squatty trees, gourds, succulents, trees with bright flowers and trees with dark flowers. I spent over an hour taking photos and marveling. How much did this cost me? Not a thing. Absolutely worth it for locals and tourists alike. Enjoy! Early evening was perfect for shade, lighting and heat. read more

See all

I came here with my husband and daughter a few weeks ago. We've been trying to go to this garden for ages. I think it's been over a year. We live in the area and we have tried to find it using our navigation maps on our phones. And of course it failed us again. Too bad we can't write reviews for bad navigation apps. .. We finally found it one holiday that we all had the day off. It really is quite tricky to find. There's a small parking lot at the end of the road. Once you get in there, it's beautiful. The whole front area is lined with plumeria trees. They're in all sizes and colors. I usually just see the traditional yellow one, pink, or white, but here there were so many different types. And they were all in full bloom. After the plumeria trees you can keep walking to view the other parts of the garden. We made it to the next section but then my daughter got tired and hot and wanted to be carried. So that pretty much ended our time there because it was too much to have to carry her and carry all of our stuff. However, it really looked like they had a nice trail there for walking and exploring. I told my husband that it would be a great place to come and exercise. I'd definitely would like to try going back there. Maybe when my daughter is older we can try hiking it up to the different sections of the garden or maybe alone to have some relaxation time. read more

See all

As far as a decent slightly tree covered loop trail, I love this one best in Honolulu. I go later in the day to avoid the direct sun which can get brutal in this crater. There is a dirt parking lot and practically that same type of dirt and gravel trail. Wear good traction shoes. Lots of good placards showing trail directions and identifying the many special plants. There is a security guard at the entrance. read more

Koko Crater Botanical Garden - Dragon Slayer next to the Dragons Blood plant - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all