By Staff Reports
(Oahu)– Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden long-rang planning meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Windward Community College’s Hale ‘Ākoakoa building.
The City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation is inviting you to help shape the future of Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden! The City’s most popular botanical garden is embarking on its first-ever master planning process, with a community discovery workshop launching in November 2025.
This public forum is scheduled for Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Windward Community College’s Hale ‘Ākoakoa building. Participants may arrive as early as 6 p.m., and are encouraged to use the campus’ upper parking lot.
“We truly believe the best ideas come from the diverse communities we serve, and this planning process intends to tap into that collective ‘ike (knowledge),” said Joshlyn Sand, Director of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens. “No final decisions are being made in this current workshop, as this is the first of several public opportunities. We are truly excited to launch this is a historic moment in Ho‘omaluhia’s 43-year history, as we help shape the future of this special place of refuge together.”
The beginning of the workshop will provide information about the long-range planning process, then attendees will be invited to provide their thoughts and ideas. The initial goals of this long-range planning process include:
- Enhancing the visitor experience by ensuring a meaningful, inclusive, and educational experience for all who visit the garden, with an initial focus on managing visitation and alleviating congestion to improve public safety.
- Engaging the community and providing accessibility by expanding the garden’s role as a community resource responsive to the needs of Koʻolaupoko residents.
- Preserving environmental, cultural, and historical resources by acknowledging and integrating the cultural heritage of the ʻāina and its historical significance into the garden’s future development.
- Providing botanical and facility development by planning for future improvements and care of the diverse plant collections, garden infrastructure, public facilities, educational spaces, and visitor amenities.
If you are unable to attend the November 6 meeting, there will be other opportunities to stay informed and be part of this planning process. A dedicated website about this effort will continue to provide updates and future meeting details. That information is available at: honolulu.gov/dpr/hoomaluhia-long-range-planning/
Since opening in 1982, Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden has become an essential part of the Windward Oʻahu community. With nearly 724,000 visitors in Fiscal Year 2025 (July 2024 – June 2025), the garden continues to thrive as a cherished wahi pana (storied place) for relaxation, education, and recreation. As a result of this record-breaking attendance, a public survey in October 2025 helped determine a one-day-a-week closure for Ho‘omaluhia every Thursday beginning in 2026. This will give the garden time to naturally rejuvenate, while providing staff an opportunity to conduct much-needed maintenance and recreational programming improvements without disruption.
If you need an auxiliary aid/service, other accommodations due to a disability, or an interpreter for a language other than English in reference to this announcement, please contact the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email parks@honolulu.gov at least three business days before the scheduled event. Without sufficient advanced notice, it may not be possible to fulfill requests.
