KOKO CRATER BOTANICAL GARDEN

GENERAL INFO | MAP | MAIN FEATURES | FUTURE

GENERAL INFORMATION

Koko Crater Botanical Garden is a 60-acre basin inside the landmark Koko Crater on the eastern end of the island of Oahu. The hot, dry climate here makes this garden the ideal location for the dryland collections of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens.

The garden is still in the early stages of development, therefore, restroom facilities, drinking fountains and other visitor accommodations have not yet been constructed.

For your safety, please wear walking shoes and exercise caution on the unpaved roads and trails. Bicycles and motor vehicles are not permitted and dogs are not allowed on the grounds.

MAIN FEATURES

Garden planting occupy the inner slopes and basin of Koko Crater. The visitor is first met with colorful collections of plumeria and bougainvillea cultivars in the outer crater.

A two-mile loop trail leads visitors through a variety of dryland plant collections from Hawaii and around the world. Naturalized exotic kiawe and koa haole trees dominate the landscape along the trail between the cultivated collections. The four major collections arranged by geographical areas are:

In addition to these geographical areas, other significant plant collections include:

Of special note is the native grove of wiliwili trees (Erythrina sandwicensis) found in the Hawaiian section. This magnificent stand of native trees is protected by State law under the Exceptional Tree Act 105.

KOKO CRATER BOTANICAL GARDEN is home to a collection of rare and beautiful plants from the tropical regions of the world. Some are rare or endangered in their native habitat.

• To preserve this fine collection, visitors are not allowed to pick any part of the growing plants or remove any plant material from the garden.  Section 10-1.2, ROH.

A WORD OF CAUTION: Plants contain a wide range of substances used by humans as food, medicines, dyes, poisons, etc., but leaves, fruits, seeds and thorns may cause skin irritations, sneezing, external or internal discomfort, eye inflammation or puncture wounds.

• A basic rule in any botanical garden is never put any unfamiliar plant or plant part in your mouth and use caution in touching any unfamiliar plant you encounter.

THE FUTURE

Long-range plans for Koko Crater Botanical Garden focus on the continued cultivation of rare and endangered dryland plants. Special emphasis will be given to the conservation of our highly endangered native Hawaiian flora. Basic xeriscape concepts will be used to support a drought-tolerant landscape in harmony with the surrounding environment.

For further information, please contact:

Honolulu Botanical Gardens
Department of Parks and Recreation
50 N. Vineyard Blvd.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Phone: (808) 522-7060
E-mail: hbg@honolulu.gov