Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden

A lush and lovely vantage point for admiring the land and sea of the Windward Coast, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden occupies a 400-acre corner at the foot of the Ko'oalu Range. It is planted with trees and shrubs from the world's tropical regions and was originally designed by the US Army Corps of Engineers as flood protection for the valley.

This peaceful natural preserve is networked by trails winding through the green park up to a 32-acre lake (no swimming). A small visitor center features displays on the park's history, flora and fauna, and Hawaiian ethnobotany. Guided two-hour nature hikes are offered at 10:00 Saturday and 13:00 Sunday.

The park is at the end of Luluku Rd, 2.25 miles north of the Pali Hwy via the Kamehameha Hwy. Buses 55 and 56 stop at the Windward City Shopping Center, opposite the start of Luluku Rd, from where the visitor center is a 1.5-mile walk uphill. There is also camping.