Liliʻuokalani Gardens is a large green space in Hilo, Hawaii, on the Big Island. These gardens are the largest authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. If you visit Hilo, plan to spend an hour or two exploring the grounds of the Liliʻuokalani Gardens. You can also make the short walk out to Coconut Island.
Gardens
Like most cities, Hilo has a downtown park. People go there to jog, relax, and wander through the open space. Liliʻuokalani Gardens, named after Hawaii’ last queen, is just like this. We found little bridges, stone paths, and small ponds throughout the garden. These gardens are designed to look like beautiful Japanese gardens to honor the Japanese immigrants who came to work the Hawaii sugar cane fields.
There were a lot of places for pictures, and the kids enjoyed seeing a few animals as we walked. These animals included nesting Nene geese, the state bird of Hawaii, small crabs, and many other birds. We even spotted an invasive mongoose, which is surprisingly common in Hawaii, running across the grass. The gardens are peaceful and there are benches to sit and rest and meditate.
Coconut Island
After you’ve spent a little time in the Liliʻuokalani Gardens, walk across the bridge to Coconut Island. We spotted two sea turtles on this walk, one below the bridge, and one near the end of the island. Both were close enough for all the kids to see. Coconut Island is very small, and there are some historical signs explaining its significance, but we merely enjoyed it as an extension of the Queen’s Garden. Make sure that while you are on Coconut Island that you find the tree with tsunami heights. It’s difficult to believe that the water swelled nearly to the top of the tree in the 1940’s.
We could have spent a lot more time in the Queen’s Garden. There is plenty to see, and it’s a nice place to relax in downtown Hilo. It would be a great place to bring a picnic, too. It is free to visit the Liliʻuokalani Gardens in Hawaii. Here is the address: 189 Lihiwai St #151, Hilo, HI. There is parking along Lihiwai St, as well as a small parking area near the bridge to Coconut Island. If you are looking for other free things to do in the Hilo area, make sure to visit Rainbow Falls or the Panaewa Zoo.
