A Hidden Oasis in Waikiki – The Queen Kapiolani Garden
Posted on Feb. 26, 2024 / Parks / Subscribe 0
By: Brandon Au
In the concrete jungle of Waikiki and Kapahulu, there is an intriguing greenspace bordering a residential area, the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Shell, and Kapi'olani Park… it is the Queen Kapi'olani Garden. Located at the corner of Paki, Monsarrat, and Leahi avenues, this garden was established as a nursery in 1926 by The Outdoor Circle and later became a victory garden during World War II. In 1971, the garden was dedicated to what it is today. As a kid, I remember visiting the garden and admiring the variety of roses, and when I started with the city, the landscape transitioned to hibiscus, which flowered all year round.
Managed by the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Urban Forestry (DUF), it was decided as the native plant initiative was on the rise to renovate the landscape as a demonstration garden for native plants and trees. This would allow landscape architects, designers, landscape contractors, plant nurseries, and the green industry to visit the garden and see the different species of native plants in a landscape setting. In 2009, DUF consulted and worked with Rick Barboza of Hui Ku Maoli Ola on how the project should proceed. DUF’s then-Landscape Architect, David Kumasaka, designed the native demonstration garden. Over 11 phases of construction and more than 6 years of work, the native garden came into realization with assistance from the Sierra Club of Hawai'i, Niu Valley Middle School, and other volunteer organizations. DUF’s Nursery and Landscape Section, led by June Harada, demolished, constructed, rebuilt, prepared, and installed the planters, irrigation, soil mix, plants, and trees, and performs daily maintenance.
Figure 1. Queen Kapi'olani Garden- Initial Installation of the Native Demonstration Garden with the Sierra Club of Hawai'i.
Figure 2. Volunteers from Niu Valley Middle School at Queen Kapi'olani Garden. Photo credit: Terri-Ann Koike.
The design themes for the native demonstration garden were Kaua'i, O'ahu, Maui Nui, Coastal, Mesic, Forest, Big Island, Edible, Kapa, Construction, Medicinal, Shade, Fragrant Endangered, and Lei. In addition to native plants and trees, the garden features lawn areas, ornamental shrubs, palms, and trees. A particular tree that stands out when in bloom is the yellow poinciana tree near the corner of Leahi and Monsarrat avenues. Other trees that are hidden and rarely seen in landscapes are the Maga tree, which is the national tree of Puerto Rico with reddish flowers that bloom upside down, and the white Ixora tree along a pathway near Monsarrat Avenue.
Figure 3. Yellow Royal Poinciana at Queen Kapi'olani Garden. Photo credit: Terri-Ann Koike
Figure 4. Maga Tree at Queen Kapi‘olani Garden. Photo credit: Lindsey Watanabe.
When in the area, stop by and take a stroll through the garden and see what you can identify or find something unusual.
Brandon Au, a Board Member of LICH, is the head of the Nursery and Landscape Section for the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Urban Forestry.
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