The lush 400 acres in windward Oahu features plantings from major tropical regions around the world, about 35 minutes from the Ko Olina Beach Villas. The garden park, Ho’omaluhia, is Hawaiian for “make a place of peace and tranquility.”
Following floods in 1965 and 1969 that devastated Kaneohe communities, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a dam to provide flood protection for Kaneohe. The 32-acre reservoir created by the dam was given the name, Loko Waimaluhia, or “lake of tranquil waters.”
The park is open between 9 am and 4 pm and admission is free. Stop at the visitors center on Saturday and Sunday for guided nature hikes and to participate in the family fishing (catch and release) program. Bamboo poles with barbless-hooks are provided and you bring the bait (white bread works Wonders – a little bread pun).
Check out http://www.honolulu.gov/cms-dpr-menu/site-dpr-sitearticles/569-ho%60omaluhia-botanical-garden.html for more information.
