HONOLULU (KHON2) — It’s that time again! KHON2.com’s Unfit Adventurer trekked across a fun botanical garden located in Kaneʻohe.
The Hoʻomahulia Botanical Gardens is a lush sanctuary that showcases Hawaiʻi’s native and tropical plants.
It’s nestled amidst vibrant landscapes; and it offers serene trails, exotic blooms and educational exhibits.
Visitors can explore diverse ecosystems, relax in nature and enjoy panoramic views which makes it a perfect destination for plant enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
The gardens are quite busy with many visitors. Most everyone goes down to the lake to watch the waterfowl.
As you made we way from the garden’s educational center, we got to see some gorgeous trees from around the Pacific, including South and Central America.
You can go to the lake, or you can take a detour at the lake and go down some amazingly wooded paths that include mountains in the fore- and backgrounds that really make this place feel extra special.
On our trek, we me Ronaldo and Federico who were visiting from Argentina.
“We love seeing the trees from the Amazon here,” said Ronaldo. “The climate here is quite different, but they’re still able to grow and thrive. It’s quite inspiring.”
“We came out here to get away from the chaos of the city,” added Federico. “This island and this garden are warm and welcoming.”
There weren’t as many people on the trails that surround the lake; so, it was a very peaceful experience with lots of small bridges that really add a quaint element to the experience.
After we made our way back to the lake, we met Ren and Yui and their son three-year-old son Haruto who are visiting from Setagaya.
“I got chased by a duck!” exclaimed Haruto. “But I’m ok, now.” With that, he ran back to the lake to see the ducks.
As we talked to Ren and Yui, they explained more.
“Haruto was down by the lake, and two ducks chased each other into the water; but he thought they were chasing him. He was both scared and feeling special from what happened,” Yui said as she and Ren chuckled.
We found a park bench perfectly situated by the water but not too close to the ducks so we could watch them and enjoy their antics.
These waterfowl are quite amusing to watch. They chill on the banks, play and talk. Then, humans come around, and they jump into the water to get away. The humans leave. So, the ducks come back to chill. And the whole process starts over again.
As we watched, we met Sophia. She’s stationed in Okinawa and hopped over to Hawaiʻi to find out what all the hype is about.
“This the only place I’ve ever been that stands up the hype about it,” she said. “It’s just gorgeous, everywhere I go.”
We took a few picture for Sophia, and she found her own bench to sit and enjoy the gorgeous life and scenery all around us.
The Unfit Adventurer Rating for this hiking trail is: (ratings are out of a possible five hiking boots.)
Ease of hike for unfit folks
Views offered
Friendliness of fellow hikers
Worth the struggle
Feeling of accomplishment
You can click here for a general map and here. These are for a more detailed map. that will help you maximize your visit to this amazing garden. You can click here to learn more about the garden before your visit.
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So, if you decide to hike Hoʻomahulia Botanical Gardens, then be aware that the experience for everyone who does it is different. You’ll need to rely on your own physical skills to determine whether this is the right hike for you.