A Glimpse of Japan on the Big Island
Anchoring the center of Hilo, where the Wailoa River feeds into the bay, the Liliuokalani Gardens is one of the most scenic and serene settings on the Big Island. Multi-use paths wind through the oceanfront expanse of manicured gardens, which were 17 acres at the time of their construction over a century ago, having grown in the time since to over 24 acres. Originally built to commemorate Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani and her love for Japan, the park also pays homage to the influence of Japanese culture on the Hawaiian islands, a reflection of our shared history and heritage.
Walking amongst the handcrafted bridges over koi ponds, Japanese stone lanterns, meticulous flower and plant arrangements, and towering banyan trees is like stepping into a portal to a zen garden in rural Japan, only the backdrop is the calm waters of Hilo Bay stretching out as far as the eye can see.
The unique park and gardens – renowned for being one of the most extensive Japanese gardens located outside of Japan – are just a 40-minute drive from our Big Island bed and breakfast, so plan to spend an afternoon admiring its beauty and tranquility, enjoying the ocean breeze, and picnicking in paradise.
Queen Liliuokalani – Her Lifelong Love for Japan Brought to Life at the Gardens
Queen Liliuokalani holds a special place in Hawaiian history as the first and only female monarch of the Hawaiian empire, ruling over the islands from 1891-93 before being overthrown by a coup. Born into the ruling class and related to King Kamehameha, she rose through the ranks of mobility, a trailblazer and innovator. In addition to her wide-ranging talents – Liliuokalani was an accomplished author and musician – she admired the tireless work ethic and rich culture Japanese immigrants brought to Hawaii. At the time, sugarcane plantations covered the islands and were the main engine of the local economy, recruiting workers from Japan in the thousands. Japanese people made up over 40% of Hawaii’s population during Liliuokalani’s heyday, and the queen learned Japanese, showing her reverence for their language, culture, and way of life.
Liliuokalani also admired Japanese gardens and dreamed of one day bringing their iconic architectural style to her native land. Although she would pass away before the Liliuokakani Gardens were finished in 1917, today, her legacy lives on over a century later on the shores of Hilo Bay.
Planning Your Perfect Day at the Liliuokalani Gardens
Start your visit to the Liliuokalani Gardens by heading out on the footpaths, which are over a mile in length and pass through numerous areas of interest like the traditional Japanese Shoroan Orasenki teahouse, the bicentennial rock gardens (added to the park on 7/4/76 to celebrate America’s 200th birthday), the Japanese garden centerpiece of the park, and the massive Waihonu pond. If you’re looking to fish, you can toss in a line here, and you’ll want to have your camera phone handy to snap pics of the picturesque bridges crossing over the pond in numerous places.
Take a lunch break by strolling to the Suisan Fish Market, located directly adjacent to the park and one of our favorite restaurants in Hilo. Fill a bowl with scoops of seasoned rice and several types of ahi or hamachi poke, add some sides like crab salad or pineapple, and head back to the gardens for a tasty picnic. In the heat of the day, grab some shade under one of the many banyan trees, which are impossible to miss, sometimes growing up to 100 feet high and wide. Like the 150-year-old banyan tree that miraculously survived the devastating fires in Lahaina, Maui, the banyans at Liliuokalani have weathered multiple hurricanes and are still standing, deeply-rooted emblems of strength and perseverance.
After touring the garden grounds, finish with a sweet treat from the Ali’i Ice Cream Parlor, which serves up homemade ice cream and popsicles on-site at the park. For a distinctive dessert, try the ube haupia ice cream, made from coconut and sweet potatoes from Okinawa, another nod to the centuries-old Hawaii-Japan connection. If you’re up for exploring even more, rent one of the bikes at the HIBike station right on the corner of Lihiwai St and Banyan Dr at the park – the bike-share program provides cheap short-term bike rentals by the half-hour, a great way to cruise around the Liliuokalani Gardens and even over to nearby Hilo Bayfront Beach Park (where you’ll find an easily accessible black sand beach).
Stay with us, where the Liliuokalani Gardens will transport you to Japan with their exquisite beauty!
