Cultural Gardens at Honolulu Airport

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Description

If your airplane leaves from one of the gates at the main terminal you have a treat in store! Once you've gotten through security, instead of waiting for your boarding time at one of the boring gate terminals, head downstairs and outside to the cultural gardens. Here you can get some sunshine and serenity before you board your crowded flight. The gardens are especially great if you have kids because they can run around, explore nature, and play imaginative games in the colorful Chinese and Japanese gazebos.
The cultural gardens represent three of the cultures most heavily represented in the islands: Hawaiian, Chinese, and Japanese. The Chinese garden has a red pavilion with a lovely curved roof made of bright yellow tile. There is water all around, and an arched decorative bridge across it. Have a pretend tea party with your kids in the pavilion.
An interesting zigzag bridge (to ward off evil spirits) takes you over water filled with koi fish to the Japanese gazebo where you can lie on blue-green benches and enjoy the last chance to stretch out before your flight. Stone lanterns and sculptured trees abound.
The Hawaiian garden is lush with tropical plants such as banana trees, coconut trees, a kukui nut tree, red and white ginger, ti plants, and ferns alongside a lagoon. Glass balls hang from the branches of the giant monkeypod tree. A waterfall gurgles over lava rock.
Whoever planned this garden was really thoughtful toward weary travelers and parents!
Hawaii has some beautiful gardens- check out these favorites: Japanese garden at University of Hawaii, Foster Botanical Garden, and Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden.

Photo Gallery

The Chinese gazebo (also pictured in the article).	Chinese arched bridge.	Exotic plants in the Hawaiian garden.
Coconut trees stretch to the sky in the Hawaiian garden. It makes you not want to leave Hawaii!	Zigzag bridge to the Japanese gazebo.	Lay on this lovely cool blue-green bench in the Japanese gazebo.

Directions

Click satellite and zoom in to see the gardens from the air, inside the Y concourse at the main terminal.
The gardens are located at Honolulu Airport (HNL), at the main terminal gate lounges. You must pass through security and then go to your gate. Then you go downstairs and outside. Ask someone official at the terminal gates if you can't find them.
Don't spend too long in the gardens or you'll miss your flight!

This is an interactive map, you can zoom and move it.

Overall Visitor Rating: Unrated.