Tree in Liliʻuokalani Gardens

Hawaii Has The Largest Japanese Gardens Outside Of Japan

By Hillary Louise Johnson

VACATIONS

One of the largest Japanese gardens outside of Japan, The Lili'uokalani Gardens in Hawaii were built in 1917 and dedicated to the Hawaiian Islands' Japanese labor force.
Japan and Hawaii have long had a special affinity, and more than 20% of Hawaiians claim Japanese ancestry, explaining the presence of the gardens on the Big Island.
Lili'uokalani is located on Hilo's Banyan Drive and contains a ceremonial tea house, a rock garden, ponds with koi fish, stone lanterns, pagodas, mossy slopes, and red footbridges.
Japanese garden design is meant to aid in meditation. The pathways zig, zag and meander to keep out evil spirits, who Japanese tradition holds can only travel in a straight line.
Lili'uokalani Gardens is free to the public and open 24 hours. The Japanese bamboo and mosses are almost neon green, and the carpet-like lawns invite you to sprawl in the sun.