Lili’uokalani Gardens

There’s nothing as peaceful as an authentic Japanese garden, and the Lili’uokalani Gardens in Hilo is the largest we’ve been to. Sitting across from Hilo Bay, you’ll find a quaint pond, an abundance of trees including a giant monkeypod, benches, bridges, monuments, a tea house, and more. In 1917 the park was dedicated to the first Japanese immigrants who worked in the sugar cane fields on the island of Hawaii. We spent an hour or so here, sitting under a tree sampling mochi from Two Ladies Kitchen, strolling, and meditating. When in Hilo, it’s a lovely stop to make.