It's basically by Manoa Falls hike and it's in a jungle. Like basically we in the jungle…read more Surrounded by plants it definitely feels like you have escaped into a different world. I appreciate the fact that they hold plant sales here twice a year because usually this place is blocked off from the public until they open it up just for this.

Truly in awe of how lush and gorgeous this arboretum is. It doesn't look like much from the…read moreoutside, but once you make it inside, it's like a whole different world. The Lyon Arboretum has the most vibrant plants and some of the most fabulous views that I've seen within Hawaii. My friend and I visited the arboretum after hiking nearby Manoa Falls. The arboretum is actually located within Manoa Falls Park, and the entrance is located just before the beginning of the Manoa Falls hike. We hadn't planned on visiting, but we decided to check it out since it was so close. Best decision that we could have made! While we really enjoyed the hike to Manoa Falls, we both enjoyed the hike through the arboretum so much more. Entrance into the arboretum is free with a reservation, but it's just a nominal fee of $5 if you stop by same day. We paid the fee at the visitor's center and were given trail maps to follow along our journey through the greenery. The visitor's center also has other maps and souvenirs for purchase. There are actually quite a few trails that run through here. We started our hike off without looking at the maps but then realized that we kind of needed them. That's when we realized that we couldn't find them. It's not a huge arboretum, but it is easy to get lost depending on how and how deep that you decide to go in. Would highly recommend that you use the trail map if you're planning a longer hike. We ended up hiking up to Aihualama Falls which weren't as grand as Manoa Falls, but it was still really beautiful and secluded. The hike to Aihualama Falls was also extremely gorgeous! We were practically surrounded by beautiful flowers during most of our hike. We literally stopped just to smell and admire them. We found the most vibrant orchids, roses, tropical wildflowers, succulents, and so much more. The gardens are so amazing here. The great lawn is so impressive! I was actually kind of bummed that I didn't bring my lunch because the lawn is the PERFECT place to sit out and have a picnic! We saw a few people relaxing out on the lawn and enjoying themselves, but it was so empty and secluded. Plus, the view of the mountains from the lawn is ridiculous! A spot that I could definitely see myself chillin' at all damn day. It was so lovely. We hadn't planned on doing any long or strenuous hikes here, so we just went with the flow. I will say that you can really get your hike on here. I think we ended up doing 3 or 4 miles from, but we weren't really prepared for the inclines through the forest since we had originally planned to only hike Manoa Falls. Make sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen and bug spray. We were there in the early afternoon but it was already super warm, and many parts of the arboretum are exposed. Also, the bugs can be quite aggressive in certain areas. Nothing that a little bug spray can't handle though. All in all, I'm extremely impressed. I would definitely come back to this arboretum to partake in a more extensive hike and for a picnic.

One flower. That was it. Jamie W and I saw just one flower in the entire botanical garden (Photo…read more3). Even though we saw a sign identifying this place in front of the parking lot, we really couldn't tell where the garden began. By the time we saw Waikahalulu Falls (Photo 10), we finally realized we were in the middle of it. Even though there was an abundance of native plants, none of them were identified as such, so we frankly didn't learn anything. We just made our way to the picnic grounds next to the waterfall and then exited. To be honest, we only stopped here strolling from the original Liliha Bakery in Kalihi to Chinatown, so we didn't have any expectations coming here. Inconveniently, the public restrooms were boarded up. Admission is free. RELATED - Exploring Hawaii? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/wLtaaLUEVq

This was one of the stop on our tour In Honolulu , we were here for about 45mins…read more Liliokalani Botanical Garden is a very beautiful it is free to enter also free parking as well, there are some benches along the grass and paved paths, lots of trees and flowers,a water stream, a bridge. I saw a family fishing in one of the ponds, she stated to that there are fish in that dirty pond, I wish that there signs leading you to the waterfall. The highlight for me here was getting some sample from a live paper tree.

FREE and beautiful escape from the tourist areas. I highly recommend visiting this off the beaten…read morepath Beaty! There's shaded parking, and a clean port-o-potty. Read about the art inside the garden.

Lovely botanical garden in Hawaii Kai. Free entrance and parking. The garden is located inside the…read morecrater and is much more desert and dry like than other botanical gardens on the island. The gardens open up with a grove of plumeria trees and then you can choose a route on the garden loop. We had limited time on our most recent visit in January and elected to take the Americas path which featured many cactus type plants. They are amazing and huge! Note that most of the plumeria trees were not in bloom and were bare of leaves in January. Great find, but can be very hot and dry so recommend visiting on a "cooler" day. For those that need it there is a porta potty just after the plumeria grove.

Finding the peace…read more.. Literally as Yelp direction kept leading me to Kapiolani Community College though close but not where it's at as it's actually to the left of Diamond Head State Park entrance which is quite easy to find. This little park is a slight hidden place that's pretty green and decently maintained with a couple of areas for you to enjoy one is closer to the entrance that has a lovely peek of the Wilhemina Rise area and a lovely place that I thought would be the perfect photo op spot for a cool gift from a thoughtful friend with BunBun is this cool cooler tote from TJ's! Using one of a bunch of stones and some benches for a place to relax and noticed a giant rock with a plaque that's a time capsule which will be opened on October 24, 2049! The other section is a bit more shaded as this circular garden has some stones placed with various peace quotes and though wanted to take more pics there was a gentleman chilling and didn't want to disturb him and majority of the area does have a path for easy access between gardens and up to Diamond Head as I've been here countless times and never knew this area existed is quite insane lol! A great spot for those that can't do the hike but enjoy a bit peace of time. Thank you!

A chill little park outside of Diamond Head State Park. Great place to sit under the trees and…read morerelax after a hike at Diamond Head and before catching the bus back to town.

I'd say, of any Orchid Society throughout the State, Windward Orchid Society is doing what I'd…read moreexpect a society to do - promote orchids and flowers, showcase rare and innovative species, and provide the public with education about how to grow and nurture plants properly. What I liked the best were low costs for quality orchids and other plants. My partner found some amazing, rare species worth triple the value. Also, it was just great to meet professional growers from nurseries throughout the State, including the neighbor islands. Apparently the best Orchid Show to visit is the Hilo Orchid show first week of August - so FYi and mark your calendars if you're interested and did not know.

The Windward Orchid Society Spring Show is the best and largest show on Oahu. Unfortunately because…read moreof the COVID-19 potential for infection it has been cancelled for 2020. Everyone is welcome to come to the monthly meeting in the King School cafeteria in Kaneohe. It is held at 7:30 pm on the first Wednesday of each month.

We were eagerly anticipating a peaceful retreat from the holiday hustle and found just that at the…read morefarm--a truly magical escape! Our visit felt like stepping into a beautiful, serene world. Our daughters had a fantastic time swinging, exploring the playground (though it's for toddlers up to age five), and letting their imaginations run wild as they played pretend kitchen with natural elements. They enjoyed feeding the chickens and petting the goats. The holiday open farm day was a delightful experience, featuring delicious hot cocoa, soothing live music with singing and guitar, and a creative ornament-making station stocked with paint, stickers, tape, and bells. We wrapped up our day with a $10 basket brimming with freshly picked vegetables--eggplant, vibrant carrots, fragrant cilantro, fresh basil, and a variety of kale. It was the perfect way to end our visit.

It was a great set up. We had our own private location for our celebration birthday party…read more Wonderful farm and loved all the animals. I would recommend that for the $450 price, you should invest in a nice bathroom; blue outhouse for that price is not right.

This was my first time at the Honolulu zoo and at the wildest show in town event. Thank you Yelp…read morefor the invite. The event was held on a large lawn facing the stage,. There was some vendors and some educational 10th, fundraiser for the elephants and activities tables for the children. The theme of the day was elephants and the Hawaiian national butterfly. We stop by the elephant book and bought some cute matching bracelets in support the elephants. We signed up at the free ukulele giveaway. Then we stopped by the butterfly exhibit and I got plenty of knowledge about how butterflies hatch. They grow on in Hawaii. And little did I know I was ready for the pop quiz that was happening later on that day. There was a coloring contest and everyone had fun coloring in there butterflies. And then we walked over to the vendor that was telling food and ICs. And had a nice day. They gave away to ukuleles and prizes for the most creative and interesting colors from the butterfly color station.. The event is family friendly especially for children under 10. With the activities and the large area of grass to play. There was a lot of children enjoying themselves. It was a perfect day to be outside and have a picnic. I did not have the heads up I'm bringing my own Blanket and chairs that I will bring the next time. The zoo is closed during the event I will definitely be returning to check out the zoo at another date.

At the Honokulu Zoo August 1. Beautiful perfect weather for this evening' awesome show featuring…read moreJohnny Helm and Friends! ---Took a quick stroll through the zoo before they closed. It's been a very long time since my last visit, and the zoo has made some massive improvements! I need to come back for a longer and leisure stroll! ---Trivia today (fun facts) was on the Hawaiian Monarch Butterfly. Hawaiian name? Pulelehua. Cold blooded or warm blooded? Cold blooded! ---food prices: see my pic. Expensive...you know what to do..... --- ambiance: family friendly atmosphere! Lots of little keiki around and very nice to see the kupuna out.

Brilliant: Use the former space of Native Books as a museum pop-up. Part of the division of that…read morecompany into 4-5 spaces in the Ward/South Shore Market area, at least until this Warehouse building gets torn down. Various craft artists, including textile artists, painters, sculptors, ceramicists, wood workers, etc., rent out offices here where they can work on their current projects, as well as show their work in revolving exhibitions. I think the space in the back, that used to be for groups, is utilized for classes. Even in the middle of this largeish space, there was an aunty--kupuna--teaching a student something, when I went in (fabric? weaving? not sure...). Many of the items I saw for sale in one of the small rooms--taken by a network of ceramicists and metal/wire artists--were relatively affordable (though more expensive than Hawai'i Potter's Guild Xmas season type shows in the parks/craft fairs). I looked rather seriously at some cleverly formed pieces, which are calling my name out to go on my desk next to the ol' laptop. Let's support Hawai'i artists! This place is only around for another month or so, before they gentrify-destroy the whole Ward Warehouse area in favor of some pricey condo that NOBODY LOCAL can afford. So GO NOW.