Foster Botanical Garden

I am so glad I visited Fosters Botanical Gardens such a relaxing afternoon. This well kept garden has great specimens. I highly recommend stopping by and take the time to breathe and enjoy this awesome place. Mahalo Nui!

I love this place. I try to stop here every time I go home for a visit. It’s one of the most beautiful botanical gardens I have ever been to. It is definitely worth a visit whether you’re a local or just a visitor to Hawaii. You wont be disappointed. Why did I move again? Oh ya, those reasons lol. Maybe one day I will move back to the islands…

My mom, the horticulturist, wanted to go here, so the whole family hopped on, literally, hopped on the hop-​on hop-​off trolley that would deposit us at the Gardens. As the hubby was paying our $ 10 fee to go in at the ticket booth, I noticed they were also selling organic insect repellent. The type that is supposed to be good for the environment but bad for you if it doesn’t repel insects, particularly mosquitoes, bad mosquitoes, ones carrying diseases, deadly diseases.
We’re in Hawaii; how bad could it be? So, silly me, I asked the cashier. Do you have a problem with mosquitoes here in the Gardens? The answer: Yes, but no reports of dengue like on the big island, but we have this organic repellent that you can purchase. My response: I have tried organic repellent, but it actually worked like a mosquito-​homing perfume. Her response: I find it doesn’t work really well for me either.
Since the hubby had already paid and the rest of the family was in the gate, I asked again how bad could it be? I’ll just stay out of the shadows and walk briskly, which I read on the Internet (where everything is true) would lower the chance of mosquito bites. Within the first several yards, I was finding mostly shady areas and had calculated the high probability that I’d leave the Gardens with a dozen bites. Rather than chance it, I hopped on the the hop-​on hop-​off trolley, which was headed to Chinatown.
My star rating is based on second-​hand information from my mom, who isn’t a mosquito magnet and actually saw all of the Gardens.

3.5? I’m rounding up to 4.
My husband is a photographer and one of his favorite things to do when we travel is go to the botanical garden in town and take some pictures of the local flowers. So it was with much excitement that we approached the Foster Botanical Garden, being the vegetation is so beautiful in Hawaii and different than anything we see back in Michigan.
But in the end… it was beautiful but not my favorite out of the BGs we’ve been lucky enough to visit. There were some really impressive areas — the trees in particular were really stunning, including my favorite of the whole garden – the cannon ball tree! That was *really* cool. The «cannon balls,» the flowers, all of it… amazing. I also loved the orchid area and the sculptures. Maybe it was just the season (September) but there wasn’t a lot to look at by way of flowers or colors but the greenery and the trees were definitely an eyeful on their own.
It was just on the smaller side and easy to get through in a very short amount of time if you wanted to. In that regard I’m not so sure it’s worth your time to go out of your way if you’re a tourist with a limited amount of time. If you’re a local, I could see how it would be lovely to spend time here communing with nature. In the end we had an enjoyable visit but we were way more wowed by all the things we saw just riding around the island.

First let me stared by saying the pictures are no justice to how beautiful this place is. My husband and I wanted to go out for nature walk. A friend of mine had mention botanical gardens I figure we go to one. Well we got more than what we expected. The parking was free. The cashier was really not friendly. The entrance was $ 5 per person .they give us military discount paying only $ 8 for both of us .As soonest you walk up the rAil the place is breath taking and you get since of relaxation. The air is fresh and your surround with nice nature scents, and the sound of birds .they havE two restrooms .they are clean and stock with paper. All the trees and flowers plants are label with number tags and information pick with there name and little bit of information about them. In the map you receive it has all the plants well most plants the number of the tag with additional information if you want to learn more about the plant .I personally never new how many types of palm trees they are, they are just gorgeous. Omg the trees are huge while I walk thru the garden I just wanted to run to every tree or plant to take a picture. There’s also an orchid garden that I just love. Different colors orchids, theres also tropical garden is quite beautiful, inside of it there also small water fall and there small fishes swimming in the water fall. Additionally, there’s a small white gazebo decorate with pots of flowers. :). The also monuments around the garden. One of gardens has a bunch butterflies flying around. There’s also just gorgeous birds. Not sure what kind birds they are but they like parrots. They where light blue turquoise, lime neon green. Flying around the garden. I will definitely recommend this place.. Great place to take pictures. They were Mosquitos, we spray keep of. My husband got stung ones in two hour period so spray before you go in

Every year when I come home, I find something new to see. I had never heard about the Foster Botanical Garden, and I found it on a map when I was looking for something else. There is a charge to go in and locals receive a discounted admission.
It was really hot on the day I came and yes, it was just before noon. The staff will give you a map of the park, so I just started on the left and work my way around clockwise. Each section is unique, and I really liked the butterfly garden. Again, it was hot so I would say I spent about 30 – 40 minutes walking around. Also, I am a mosquito magnet and didn’t have any repellent on me so I headed out.
They also have concerts here and some of them are free. Definitely worth checking out, and such a beautiful haven near the city. The only entrance is on Vinyard, and there is free parking in the lot.

We were headed to Honolulu Airport and left real early in case of traffic… but on this Sunday it was empty and we were so early we detoured to an attraction — the Foster Boatnical Gardens about 10 minutes away. What a treasure. Admission is just $ 5 and parking is free. Since it was a Sunday, the gardens were pretty empty and we had the run of the place.
What really strikes one on walking through the gardens is the size of the trees… these things were huge… oftentimes ten feet in diameter. The walk around was lush… only the orchid gardens were pretty bloomed out, just about everything else was in good form. Flowers and other tropical plants were wonderful to see in their natural habitat… especially since we came for the Midwest where this stuff is only found in glass houses.
If you have the chance, whether you have time before going to the airport or you are just driving around, this lush treasure in essentially downtown Honolulu is worth the trip.

Nice little gardens located right in the middle of downtown. Loved taking pictures of all the different flowers and giant trees, and being able to stroll around in the shade. Great colors to work with. Lots of benches to sit and open areas for kids to run. My friend did it with a stroller, so stroller friendly for those wondering!
Ample parking and $ 3 for HI residents.

I have a story to tell. I will tell it to you as it was told to me. Place your hand on the tree’s bark. Feel the texture of the bark and breathe in the scent of the wood. As the warmth of the earth and sun dances across your fingers you can sense the rhythm of the earth.
Some of the ancient trees are huge. Bigger than my car. This place is the oldest of the Honolulu botanical gardens. It’s strange the city is right outside but here there is a calm stillness… There are strange and exotic scents in the herb garden to tantalize your sense of smell. I wonder what the exotic fruits would taste like. If only I could eat just one of those pink pineapples…
So many shades of green here. The trees, ferns, and grass combine into a moziac I’m not sure the camera can do justice to… Best you visit and see for yourself. As I left this little paradise I took with me my memories of the plants, birds, and butterflies that populated that place.

Admission for non Hawaiian residents is $ 5. We came here and spent over an hour walking around taking pictures and checking out the different plants and flowers. The place is divided into different sections. Everything here is just so beautiful!

Gorgeous.
Came at an off time, so the botanical garden wasn’t overly packed. Free parking is available in front of the botanical garden. The rates are very reasonable. It is $ 5 if you are 13 years and older. If you are a resident and 13 years and older, it’s $ 3. Kids younger than 5 years old can get in for Free. Make sure you pick up a visitor map, super helpful as you walk around.
We had a great time walking around and learning about the different flowers, trees, and plants. It’s so peaceful here. We took our time at the garden and were in awe of all the beauty around us. There are plenty of hidden areas around here with small benches. Perfect for some quiet time.
Very family friendly.

It is much easier to appreciate a botanical garden when it is laid down in the middle of a concrete jungle. It doesn’t take a long to feel like you have entered a different world when you enter this garden because of the stark difference inside the fence when compared to outside the fence. The city sounds of honking cars, people yelling, screeching tires, and more seem to disappear once you enter the gardens.
I personally loved the herb gardens and the prehistoric gardens as there were plants that are very familiar and plants that are almost extra terrestrial in nature. I couldn’t believe how many plants were being offered for such a small price of admission (under $ 5 for locals). This is a great way to spend an afternoon in town if you feel like you want to escape the city life but don’t want to travel far.
The feelings of tranquility and escape are plentiful at this garden. I would highly recommend you get here before the city ways take over your life and erodes your ability to appreciate all of botany’s greatest offerings.

I went to the gardens with my bf. We had never been but already knew we’d like to come back. I explained to the lady at the entrance that we live together and aren’t married and asked if we qualify for a family pass. She said yes, so we spent $ 25 for us for the year instead of $ 10 per trip.
The gardens were large, diverse, and beautiful. All was well maintained, and the map/​information card was entertaining. On our way out, we were given our passes and we asked about picnics. She asked for how many ppl and we said just the two of us. She said that was fine, but no alcohol is allowed. Sounds like the perfect excuse to make homemade lemonade in my opinion.
The lady running the gift shop was friendly, too, and help me find a natural bug repellent for the mosquitoes.

Smack dab in the middle of a bustling freeway & residential towers lies a serene oasis, home to hundreds of rare plants from around the world. Take this opportunity to settle down from your busy life to pause & ponder under the shade of one of the many trees.
There’s a small admission fee with Kama’aina discount available. You could do without the map & just wander around the garden’s peacefulness, but going clockwise, the first stop was the orchid garden complete with a gazebo. Then comes the grassy terrace featuring sky high trees & massive trunks. If you’ve seen a coconut tree, you haven’t seen them all as you stroll through the palm garden. A pergola structure stands in the middle of the herb garden where you’ll find various spices, dyes & even poisons. Making the final round around the garden you’ll reach the glass structure that features hybrid orchids & the stink corpse flower that blooms once every three to five years. However, I didn’t have the pleasure in experiencing it. There’s also a butterfly garden that’s supposed to attract butterflies, but I guess it wasn’t the season for them to be fluttering around. After seeing garden, my favorite is the sausage tree which has sausage shaped fruits growing at the end of long stems.
If it isn’t about looking at beautiful flowers & unusual plants, visit the Foster Botanical Garden to engulf yourself in peace & serenity. You’ll discover a world of nature right in your backyard.

We decided to see some of the beauty of the island by visiting a botanical garden and we enjoyed visiting Foster Botanical Gardens.
When you pay your entrance fee you get a little map of the property. You’re welcome to wander around, take pictures and read about some of the beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers that are on Oahu.
This is a very nice garden that is in the heart of the city, but once you enter the grounds the noise of the outside tends to melt away and you are left peaceful and wandering amongst the lush flowers and trees that the place has to offer. While most of the grounds are well maintained they are very sparse in alot of areas, as this is a very large garden with alot of walking required to get to the next tree or flower.
It was a great place to visit in the afternoon, it was so relaxing. We especially loved the orchid garden…

I love gardens. I’ve been to some of the most beautiful gardens in the world, and have enjoyed every single one of them. The Foster Botanical Garden doesn’t have the splendor or grandness that other gardens possess, but it has it’s own kind of charm. They have «exceptional» trees that are protected by the city. They are so big and beautiful! I kind of wish that I could open a botanical garden. Life dream right there.
The garden has several trees and plants, a small green house with beautiful orchids and a few sculptures. I’m not that enthralled by palms, and there are A LOT of palms here, but I loved the hawaiian section, the cannon ball tree and the butterfly garden.
The workers here are super nice. The entrance fees are not bad, considering it’s smack in the middle of town. If you are a student group though, you can call ahead and they will waive the entrance fee.
Walking around the foster garden is a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu, I’d definitely recommend it:)

This is a lovely oasis of a variety of tropical trees, palms, flowers, orchids & herbs (labelled for easy identification). My first visit was a few years back to check out the Midsummer’s Night Gleam. I was able to explore and stroll around the grounds while enjoying the planned activities and entertainment for that evening.
I’ve gone back last year for their Twilight Summer Concert Series and this year again (throughout the months of June & July on Thursdays) with my son to enjoy an outdoor FREE summer concert and keiki activity being this was their last event ~ the teddy bear picnic and a parade for the kids with their own bears. You just need to bring your own blanket and/​or chairs (and an umbrella just in case for that unexpected summer scattered rain showers). Bring food too and you can take a picnic, and there’s lots of grass space for kids to run around.

I visited the Foster botanical gardens and joined the walking tour, which made the $ 5 entrance fee worth it. (Apparently the garden across the road is free, and the two used to be one big garden until the road split them in half.)
The Foster garden isn’t the biggest, but it’s pleasant to walk around. Or you can recline under a massive Bodhi tree — an offspring of the original one Buddha sat under for enlightenment.
The garden was planted with trees that had commercial use at the time, so you can see plants that produce everything from carnauba wax, to kumquats, coffee, coconuts, and strychnine.
The walking tour had a lot of interesting facts about the plants and made my visit more enjoyable.
This could also be a good place to go with parents — it’s a nice spot near the city, but away from the busy vibe of Waikiki.

Absolutely beautiful & calming place to visit.
Spent the evening here recently for Midsummer Nights Gleam. Just me & my tot hanging out, eating picnic style on the grass while watching belly dancers, capoeira, & drummers. Surrounded by beautiful flowers, trees, plants, & creative sculptures made out of recyclables.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a nice, relaxing time.

«Thrills! Chills! An unbelievable journey into the fantastic!»
Like the B-​movies that would play at the local movie houses back in the day, they would always draw you in with a description of a fantastic story that would unfold, «FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY». So it is with Foster Botanical Gardens in downtown Honolulu, they have something to draw you in for a visit.
Amorphophallus titanum or the more sensationalized name, «corpse flower» is that special, very large flower that blooms once every 5 to 10 years and gives off the odor of decaying flesh to attract insects. Anyone who has had a refrigerator that went bad or forgotten about food left in the trunk of your car for a few days will get the picture. When you realize that the odor is manufactured by the plant and not a true product of decay, it becomes fascinating.
Hawaii is fortunate to have several of the plants blooming at different times of the year so you get a chance to check this out without having to wait for at least half a decade. Three (count’m three) are blooming right now as of May 11, 2014. One is farther along while the other two will fully flower in a few days.
The gardens have extended hours for at least today (⁵⁄₁₁) and tomorrow, and the fee is only $ 3 for kamaaina or $ 5 regular. There is limited parking in the front of the entrance and along the street. You can call the gardens to get an update to find out how far along the bloom is.
Up until about a month ago, we hadn’t visited Foster gardens in decades but were drawn to them by the siren call of the corpse plant. So it came to be that we had a chance to see one the plants when the plant had partially bloomed. The odor was pretty apparent when you looked over the flower petals. I can only imagine what it’s like when the petals are fully opened.
(A glutton for punishment, might go back this time around to try and catch it in full bloom)
If you go to Foster gardens to see the corpse plant, do take the time to walk around the gardens and enjoy some familiar and not so familiar botanical delights located here in this garden oasis of downtown Honolulu.
But for now, come visit Amorphophallus titanum for an unforgettable experience that will leave an everlasting impression that assaults your senses.
FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY :)