Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden is Hawaii’s largest scenic botanical garden.
Located on the northern foothills of the Koolau Range, it occupies a very large area of 1.6 square kilometers.
You can see many plants from Hawaii as well as species native to the Philippines, Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Polynesia, Melanesia, Malaysia, and various parts of tropical America.
By the way, Hoomaluhia means “to give peace, to protect” in Hawaiian, and true to its name it is a place surrounded by majestic nature where you are sure to feel a peaceful atmosphere.
Since the facility is managed by the City and County of Honolulu, most activities are free of charge.
It’s a hidden gem where you can enjoy spectacular views, fishing, camping, and many other activities.
Fishing Pond at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden
Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden has Hawaii’s only free fishing pond.
It is available only on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:00–12:00 and 13:00–15:00, but fishing rods can be borrowed for free and the fish bite continuously.
Walk-ins usually have no problem getting a rod on the day, but on busy Saturdays during high season free rods may run out, so it’s best to reserve in advance.
By the way, the red-colored fish known as the red devil is the one that is caught the most.
There are also koi, peacock bass, and various other species.
Once you get the hang of it, you can easily catch around 20 fish in an hour.
The only tips are to use ordinary sliced bread rolled into a ball as bait and to set the float a little longer.
It’s catch and release, so please be sure to release the fish carefully after enjoying your fishing.
Feeding and Wildlife Encounters at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden
The opposite side of the fishing pond is a no-fishing area, and here you can encounter large numbers of fish, birds, mongooses, and various other creatures.
If fishing isn’t your thing, you can still interact with Hawaii’s wildlife here.
It’s a great hidden spot for families, and kids are sure to be thrilled.
Because the weather changes easily and this is a rainy area, we recommend bringing rain gear such as a raincoat and insect repellent.
Walking and trekking while enjoying the spectacular views is absolutely refreshing.
Picnicking and Camping at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden
Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden offers spectacular views in every direction.
You can enjoy picnics and camping while soaking up this wonderful natural setting.
Non-residents can camp here as well, but you must obtain a permit in advance, so if you’re interested, please apply through the City and County of Honolulu website.
If you leave food out, wild animals such as pigs, birds, and mongooses may take it, so be sure to store food securely.
Picnics are fine anytime, so bringing a nearby plate lunch is a nice option.
Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden — Basic Information
| Name | Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden (Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden) |
| Address | 45-680 Luluku Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 9:00 – 16:00 |
| Admission | Free |
| Suggested Visit Time | About 30 minutes or more |
| Closed | Christmas Day and New Year’s Day |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| URL | Official site Fishing reservation page |
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