Liliʻuokalani Gardens
Liliʻuokalani Gardens
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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See what travelers are saying
- Sarah LLeander, Texas10 contributionsA beautiful shady place to restThis is a gorgeous park with huge towering banyan trees, bonsai, and plenty of places to have a picnic or take a rest. Enjoy the beautiful weather and shade. Great for families, picnics, and a cheap outing!Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 14, 2024
- islandlovingtwosomeLake Forest, California125 contributionsPretty Little Park Worth A VisitUnfortunately, there must have been a lot of rain there before we arrived. The grass was drenched and the path to the bridges and other highlights were submerged in water. It was still a pretty park with many interesting pagodas. I was upset that the tea house was boarded up. It was a lovely stroll around the park, but it could have been much better. Admission is free.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten October 8, 2024
- AprilForbesSalisbury, United Kingdom1,609 contributionsJapanese GardensWe were told, this is the biggest Japanese garden outside of Japan. Even though it had been raining, the gardens still looked impressive. I would have liked to have walked over the bridge but couldn't as parts of the path leading to it were flooded. Definitely worth a visit.Visited October 2024Traveled with friendsWritten November 28, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,213 reviews
Excellent
674
Very good
415
Average
107
Poor
16
Terrible
2
Ebru A
Ankara, Türkiye1,097 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
It is a green and calm recreational area located on the Banyan Drive in Hilo. The area was donated by Hawaiian Queen Liliʻuokalani. It was developed in early 20th century. In the park, several ponds, bridges, gazeboes, statues, and some fountains are used as landscape elements. You can walk, skate, sit, and relax there.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JenRed2014
Buffalo, NY1,181 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
The gardens were really beautiful and were a great place for taking pictures. The bridges, trees, water and mountain views, sculptures and plants were all so gorgeous. Driving through was peaceful, but it was so inviting that we also got out and took a little walk. It was easy to park and free to enter. What a treasure to Hilo!
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter Barbounis
Norwood, NJ118 contributions
Dec 2019
Nestled right off the main road and Hilo Bay this 24.5 acre park has majestic views in a Japanese inspired setting. The garden was named in honor of the Queen, in November 1917.
Early morning and late afternoon offer some great opportunities for pictures. If by chance a tour bus is there at the time be patient to grab the photos that you are looking to get.
Early morning and late afternoon offer some great opportunities for pictures. If by chance a tour bus is there at the time be patient to grab the photos that you are looking to get.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason&Laureen
New York City, NY56 contributions
Jan 2021
Aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, this garden has so much charm and playfulness. Also quite romantic. A lover’s walk, family spots, a kids’ adventure, this garden is versatile and fulfills a wide range of interests!
Written October 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada12,815 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Liliʻuokalani Gardens is a 24.14-acre park with Japanese gardens, located on Banyan Drive in Hilo on the island of Hawaiʻi.
The park's site was donated by Queen Liliʻuokalani, and lies southeast of downtown Hilo, on the Waiakea Peninsula in Hilo Bay. Much of the park now consists of Edo-style Japanese gardens, that were built from 1917-1919, and these are said to be the largest such gardens outside Japan. The gardens contain Waihonu Pond as well as bridges, ponds, pagodas, statues and torii.
The east side of the island, where Hilo is, gets a lot more rain than the west side. In fact, the average annual rainfall in Hilo is 143 inches per year, while that in Kona is only 55 inches. For that reason, all of the resorts and most of the hotels are on the Kona side. However, I think that the Hilo side is the most beautiful, including these gardens.
The park's site was donated by Queen Liliʻuokalani, and lies southeast of downtown Hilo, on the Waiakea Peninsula in Hilo Bay. Much of the park now consists of Edo-style Japanese gardens, that were built from 1917-1919, and these are said to be the largest such gardens outside Japan. The gardens contain Waihonu Pond as well as bridges, ponds, pagodas, statues and torii.
The east side of the island, where Hilo is, gets a lot more rain than the west side. In fact, the average annual rainfall in Hilo is 143 inches per year, while that in Kona is only 55 inches. For that reason, all of the resorts and most of the hotels are on the Kona side. However, I think that the Hilo side is the most beautiful, including these gardens.
Written April 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DDM137
Columbus, OH156 contributions
Sep 2021
This park has so much potential for beauty. Walk around a corner and see the largest banyan tree I have ever seen. Another area has a beautiful bridge over a pond, statues and memorials to the history of the Three Sisters, and beautiful flora and garden areas. It is not a large park but has so much potential for beauty. However, whatever organization is responsible for this site is not paying attention to its upkeep. The memorials are decaying, many areas have weeds and lichen, and the entire area was flooded with stagnant water. It is also being overrun by feral cats. My hope is that whatever group is responsible for this site will begin again to attend to its upkeep and important historical significance to the area. It has much potential offering to the Hilo history.
Written October 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellesor826
Bradenton, FL1,664 contributions
Oct 2019
A simply beautiful setting and gardens which we stopped in while on a private tour from our cruise ship. It could be walking distance from the port IF they finish the sidewalks and IF one is up for a good long walk and IF the humidity is bearable. The gardens themselves are just beautiful - only wished I had a longer visit but the rush rush of the tour, it's cattle herding in and out....but I did get to wander a bit on my own and truly enjoyed every moment.
Written April 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hawaiian Canuck
Vancouver, Canada2,079 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
This is a nice manicured historic Asian garden that deserves about a half hour to wander around and enjoy. It’s a great little treat to stumble upon after a walk along the Hilo waterfront park system that follows the iconic banyan tree drive along the coast. The garden features a series of pathways and Asian bridges that are placed along a small pond system that meanders through a series of green fields and lava beds. Small garden beds and trees are strategically placed in random areas to add to the experience.
Written January 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PnP On The Road
Sacramento, CA354 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
When we lived here we spent many hours walking and running in the gardens. It’s just a delightful place to spend relaxed time right in the bay. Suisan fish market is nearby as well as Hilo Bay Cafe.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tupelo010835
Denton, TX1,926 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This qualifies as a true oasis in the middle of Hawaii’s second largest city. I may be a bit partial as my wife and I chose this magnificent little park to get married in a couple of decades ago.
It’s always a pleasure to return for a visit.
It’s always a pleasure to return for a visit.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long does it take to go through the garden
Written March 25, 2019
It depends upon what you like doing. This is not a botanical garden in the sense of strolling through a place that has featured botanical displays, such as the New York Botanical Garden. This is more a garden that could be used for a round of golf, if they allowed it. It has large swaths of grass, with select plants located throughout. It left me with the impression of being more of a public park to relax or picnic in, rather than a place of botanical displays. The plants that are there are established specimen plants, such as cycads and banyan trees. There are also bridges over water features. So think of it more resembling a public park rather than a botanical garden with floral displays. And like a public park, there is no cost.
Written April 2, 2019
I don't know about how you book events at the garden, but I do know you can book pavilions at the Panewa zoo just South of Hilo.
Written June 13, 2019
Does it cost to get in the gardens?
Written October 21, 2017
It's an open Parkland. Free entry.
Written October 21, 2017
No info on holding weddings in the park. Suggest contacting the Parks and Rec department at the Hilo courthouse.
I was married in a fifteen minute Buddhist ceremony at the meishoin in Hilo. The minister was Junshin Miazaki and the ceremony was truly beautiful. You don't have to be Buddhist and the suggested donation is 400 dollars. This would be an indoor event, so if you're looking for Hawaii scenery, your idea of using the park would be better.
Written June 13, 2019
Viewing Queens garden in the evening
Written May 24, 2017
Not a good idea as it does not have adequate lighting in the evening and you could turn an ankle as the surface is uneven.
Written June 9, 2017
My sister in law is getting married and I wanted to know how much it would be to have there?
Written December 27, 2016
There is a lovely restaurant next door, Hilo Bay Cafe, which may do functions. Lovely view of the bay, delicious food, and walking distance of the gardens.
Written May 8, 2017
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