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On ten beautiful, sloping acres above Kane'ohe Bay
on Windward O'ahu, Friendship Garden is, in the words of Honolulu's leading newspaper, "a gem," with "the best views of Kane'ohe
Bay, with only birdsong and bamboo within earshot."
One kilometer (0.6 miles) of non-strenuous hiking trails takes
visitors through groves of macadamia, banyan, mahogany, strawberry guava and eucalyptus trees in a well thought-out, but "non-manicured,"
natural setting. A tea house, stone lantern, pavilion, lava stone platform steps and the replica of a large ornamental stone
basin donated by a Japanese university add to the garden's natural attractions.
The Garden is ideal for meditation,
and for family and small group hikes.
Friendship Garden is part of what began in the 1920s as Hawai'i's first multi-racial
community, called Kokokahi ("of one blood"), a place where people of all ethnic backgrounds would come together to live, work
and play. It was the inspiration of the Rev. Theodore Richards, who together with his wife, Mary Atherton, acquired the land
and built the community.
Jack Gillmar and his wife, Janet, continue the tradition today. Together with Kane'ohe resident
Ted Talbott and other volunteers, the Gillmars maintain the trails and the garden's non-profit foundation.
Entrance
to Friendship Garden is FREE, and the garden is open every day during daylight hours only.
For more information, send
us an email by clicking here
And to learn more about other Hawaii gardens, use the links provided below.
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