HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Following a public poll that accumulated almost 3,500 votes, the City and County of Honolulu announced Wednesday that the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden will close every Thursday for a “day of rest.”
The city released the poll last month, offering the public the choice to vote for a one-day weekly closure on either Tuesdays or Thursdays.
Of the 3,472 votes, 76% were in favor of closing the park on Thursdays, starting Jan. 8, 2026.
The closures will give the garden’s natural environment time to rejuvenate, and to give staff an opportunity to conduct much-needed maintenance and recreational programming improvements without disruption.
“Through the process we also gained lots of other valuable insight from the neighboring community on their experiences with the botanical garden, including the impact garden visitors and their vehicles have on the ‘opala pick-up for residents on Luluku Road,” said Honolulu Botanical Garden Director Joshlyn Sand.
“Closing on Thursdays will help ensure garbage collectors can regularly access their bins, reinforcing the benefits of providing the garden with a day of rest on this day,” Sand said.
The Kaneohe gardens opened in 1978, serving as “a peaceful refuge” for both visitors and locals. It hosts a variety of free or affordable activities across its 400 acres.
For more questions, call the Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens at (808)768-7135 or email [email protected].
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