Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens

Any opinion about these gardens? Frommer%26#39;s gives them a good rating, but just wondering if anyone has ever been.

Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens

Ho`omaluhia is a big place and better with a car. Views of mountains are great.

If you want a more manageable size go to Lyon Arboretum in the back of Manoa Valley. They give tours for a small donation/free that take about 1 hour. Usually once a day and not everyday. Some days they close early. You can also go it alone if you want. It is operated by the Univ. of Hawai`i. Most of the plants have labels.

Manoa Falls hike is right ';next door';.

For me Lyon Arboretum is better because you see alot packed into a smaller space.

If you want a really small experience go to Foster Botanical Garden on Vineyard St. near the financial district of Honolulu.

It is 13 acres of mostly large trees, ginger, heliconia, orchids (not always blooming), and various exotic shrubs etc. Don%26#39;t expect to see flower beds full of color. Late May to mid summer are best. We have mostly flowering trees in Honolulu (orchid trees, African Tulips, plumeria, shower trees and monkeypod and poinciana. Not too much small delicate flowers in flower beds.