How many botanical gardens are on Oʻahu?

Oʻahu has eight major public gardens. The City runs five Honolulu Botanical Gardens: Foster, Hoʻomaluhia, Koko Crater, Liliʻuokalani and Wahiawā. The other three are the University of Hawaiʻi's Lyon Arboretum in Mānoa, Waimea Valley on the North Shore and Moanalua Gardens, home of the Hitachi Tree.

• City gardens (Honolulu Botanical Gardens): Foster (downtown, 14 acres), Hoʻomaluhia (Kāneʻohe, about 400 acres), Koko Crater (Hawaiʻi Kai, dryland plants inside a crater), Liliʻuokalani (Nuʻuanu, native plants and a waterfall) and Wahiawā (Central Oʻahu, 27-acre forested ravine).
• Lyon Arboretum: University of Hawaiʻi rainforest garden at the back of Mānoa Valley; free, weekdays.
• Waimea Valley: North Shore valley garden with a waterfall at the end of the path.
• Moanalua Gardens: private park near Moanalua with the famous Hitachi monkeypod tree; small admission fee.
• Free: Hoʻomaluhia, Koko Crater and Lyon Arboretum (donation suggested). Foster charges $5 for adults ($3 Hawaiʻi residents).

Sources: City and County of Honolulu: Honolulu Botanical Gardens · Hawaiʻi Magazine: Moanalua Gardens and the Hitachi Tree

Last checked Oct. 29, 2026. Hours, fees and rules can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.