Liliuokalani Park and Gardens

Hilo Bay and Hilo town from Liliu'okalan Gardens

Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens is a 30-acre (120,000 m2) park with Japanese gardens, located on Banyan Drive in Hilo on the island of Hawaiʻi.

The park's site was given by Queen Liliʻuokalani, and lies southeast of downtown Hilo, on the Waiakea Peninsula in Hilo Bay. Much of the park now consists of Edo-style Japanese gardens, built in the early 1900s, and said to be the largest such gardens outside Japan. The gardens contain Waihonu Pond as well as bridges, koi ponds, pagodas, statues, torii, and a Japanese teahouse.[1]

Close to this park is the small island called Moku ola, (also known as Coconut Island), connected to the park by a footbridge. It is a good place for a picnic, and some limited swimming. The name Moku ola literally means "island of life" in the Hawaiian language, since it was site of an ancient temple dedicated to healing.[2] There is a stone tower on the east side of the island which is the remnant of the old footbridge which was destroyed by a tsunami. From Coconut Island one has a great view of Hilo Bayfront, Downtown Hilo, and the rest of Hilo Bay. To the east, you can see the massive breakwater protecting Hilo Bay. It is located at coordinates 19°43′36″N 155°4′6″W / 19.72667°N 155.06833°W / 19.72667; -155.06833Coordinates: 19°43′36″N 155°4′6″W / 19.72667°N 155.06833°W / 19.72667; -155.06833.[3] It is maintained by the County of Hawaii.[4]

Pagoda and Torii in Liliu'okalani Gardens
Banyan Tree and Bamboo at the Gardens
View looking across Hilo Bay towards the Hamakua Coast
Panoramic view of some of the rock/water paths in Liliu'okalani Park in Hil
Sunset over Hilo from Liliu'okalani Park in Hilo.
Panorama of Liliʻoukalani Park and Gardens in Hilo, Hawaii

References

  1. "Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens". downtown Hilo Association web site. Archived from the original on 2009-12-17. Retrieved 2013-03-02.
  2. Lloyd J. Soehren. "lookup of mokuola". Hawaiian Place Names web site. University of Hawaii. Retrieved 2009-10-12.
  3. "South Hilo map 5". Shoreline access. official Hawaiʻi County web site. Retrieved 2009-10-12.
  4. "Department of Parks and Recreation". official Hawaiʻi County web site. Retrieved 2009-10-12.
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This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/4/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.