A Perfect Hilo Day
Exploring Beyond the Park: Your Complete Hilo Adventure Guide
Written by a Local Expert
Kalani MillerBeyond the Park: Exploring Hilo's Treasures
While Onekahakaha Beach Park could easily occupy an entire day with its diverse activities and amenities, its location makes it an ideal centerpiece for a broader exploration of Hilo's unique attractions and cultural sites. After a morning of swimming, snorkeling, and tide pooling, the afternoon presents perfect opportunities to dive deeper into the rich history and natural beauty that make Hilo such a special destination.
The combination of Onekahakaha Beach Park, Banyan Drive, and Liliʻuokalani Gardens creates the foundation for a perfect day exploring the best of Hilo's natural beauty and cultural heritage. The proximity of these attractions means minimal driving time and maximum enjoyment, making it ideal for families with young children or visitors who prefer a more relaxed pace.
The perfect Hilo day combines ocean adventures with cultural discovery. Start with the protected waters of Onekahakaha, then explore the living history of Banyan Drive and find tranquility in authentic Japanese gardens – all within a 5-minute drive of each other.
Stop 1: Banyan Drive, Hilo's "Walk of Fame"
Just a short five-minute drive from Onekahakaha lies one of Hilo's most distinctive and historically significant attractions: the famous Banyan Drive. This scenic road curves gracefully around the Waiakea Peninsula, creating a natural boulevard lined with some of the most magnificent banyan trees you'll find anywhere in Hawaii.
What makes Banyan Drive truly special isn't just the impressive size and beauty of these trees, but the fascinating story behind their planting. Each of these massive, sprawling giants was planted to honor a famous individual who visited Hilo, creating what locals affectionately call "Hilo's Walk of Fame." The tradition began in 1933 during a period when Hilo was actively promoting itself as a tourist destination.
✈️ Amelia Earhart
Aviation pioneer whose tree stands as testament to her historic Pacific flights and adventurous spirit.
⚾ Babe Ruth
Baseball legend who visited Hawaii during the height of his career, bringing America's pastime to the islands.
🎺 Louis Armstrong
Jazz icon "Satchmo" whose music brought joy to local audiences during his memorable Hawaiian performances.
🏛️ Franklin D. Roosevelt
President who helped strengthen ties between Hawaii and the mainland United States during crucial historical periods.
The Living History Experience
What makes Banyan Drive particularly meaningful is that these aren't just memorial plaques – they're living monuments that continue to grow and change with time. Some of the original trees planted in the 1930s have grown to enormous proportions, their aerial roots creating cathedral-like spaces beneath their canopies.
The drive itself offers beautiful views across Hilo Bay, with glimpses of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in the distance on clear days. Early morning and late afternoon provide the best lighting for photography, with the interplay of shadows and sunlight filtering through the banyan canopies creating magical atmospheric effects.
⏰ Perfect Day Timeline
- 8:00 AM: Onekahakaha arrival
- 11:30 AM: Picnic lunch
- 1:00 PM: Banyan Drive
- 2:30 PM: Liliʻuokalani Gardens
- 5:00 PM: Sunset at Moku Ola
🗺️ Explore This Guide
📍 Nearby Attractions
Banyan Drive
5-minute drive
Liliʻuokalani Gardens
5-minute drive
Downtown Hilo
10-minute drive
Rainbow Falls
15-minute drive
🌺 Cultural Respect
- Keep voices low in gardens
- Stay on designated paths
- Respect meditation spaces
- Photography welcome
Stop 2: Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens
Connected to Banyan Drive and easily accessible on foot lies one of Hawaii's most serene and culturally significant attractions: Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens. This authentic 24-acre Japanese garden represents far more than just a beautiful park – it's a living tribute to the Japanese immigrants who came to Hawaii to work in the sugar plantations and who became an integral part of the islands' cultural fabric.
Named in honor of Hawaii's last reigning monarch, Queen Liliʻuokalani, the park serves as a bridge between Hawaiian and Japanese cultures, reflecting the multicultural heritage that defines modern Hawaii. The garden is recognized as the largest authentic Edo-style Japanese garden outside of Japan, making it not just a local treasure but an internationally significant cultural site.
Authentic Japanese Garden Elements
As you enter the gardens, you're immediately transported into a world of carefully planned tranquility and natural beauty. Every element has been thoughtfully placed according to traditional Japanese garden design principles, creating spaces for contemplation, meditation, and harmony with nature.
🌉 Graceful Bridges
Arched bridges span peaceful koi ponds, each offering unique vantage points for appreciating water, stone, plants, and architecture.
🏮 Traditional Stone Lanterns
Classic lanterns light pathways in the evening and serve as focal points throughout the garden's contemplative spaces.
🐠 Waihonu Pond
Centerpiece pond home to hundreds of colorful koi fish that swim directly up to visitors, especially fascinating for children.
🌿 Fusion Landscaping
Unique blend of native Hawaiian plants and species imported from Japan, reflecting Hawaii's multicultural identity.
Moku Ola (Coconut Island)
From the main garden area, a pedestrian footbridge leads to the small island of Moku Ola, more commonly known to visitors as Coconut Island. Don't let the simple name fool you – this small island holds deep cultural and historical significance in Hawaiian tradition.
The name Moku Ola translates to "island of life" or "healing island," reflecting its historical role as the site of an ancient Hawaiian temple dedicated to healing and spiritual renewal. According to Hawaiian tradition, the island possessed mana (spiritual power) that could help cure illness and restore spiritual balance to those who visited with proper respect and intention.
Today, Moku Ola offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views available in the Hilo area. From various points on the island, you can see across Hilo Bay to the dramatic coastline beyond, with Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa providing a magnificent backdrop on clear days.
Cultural Significance and Respect
When visiting both Liliʻuokalani Gardens and Moku Ola, it's important to remember that these are not just tourist attractions but places of genuine cultural and spiritual significance. The Japanese garden represents the dreams, hard work, and cultural contributions of thousands of Japanese immigrants who helped build modern Hawaii.
Visitors should maintain appropriate behavior, keeping voices low in the gardens, staying on designated paths, and treating the spaces with the reverence they deserve. Photography is welcome and encouraged, but should be done respectfully and without disturbing other visitors who may be using the spaces for meditation or quiet reflection.
Mālama Onekahakaha (To Care For This Place)
As the afternoon trade winds carry the scent of plumeria across Onekahakaha's peaceful lagoon and the last families pack up their beach gear for the day, I'm reminded once again why this special place holds such a central position in our community's heart. Onekahakaha is more than just a beach park – it's a living testament to what's possible when a community comes together with vision, resources, and dedication to create something truly special for future generations.
This park represents a gift that keeps on giving, passed down from the community leaders and engineers who shaped it in the 1930s to the parks staff who maintain it today, and ultimately to every family who creates precious memories within its protected waters.
When you visit Onekahakaha – whether it's your first time or your hundredth – please accept this gift with the gratitude and respect it deserves. Walk softly across its tide pools, knowing that each step treads on the homes of countless marine creatures. Look closely at its wonders, but leave them undisturbed for the next curious child to discover.
In doing so, you become part of Onekahakaha's continuing story, helping to ensure that this sanctuary remains a place of safety, wonder, and joy for generations of keiki yet to come. You join a tradition of stewardship that stretches back decades and will hopefully continue for centuries more.
A hui hou (until we meet again), and may your time at Onekahakaha leave you with a deeper appreciation for the ocean, a stronger connection to Hawaiian culture, and memories that will call you back to these peaceful shores again and again.
