Oahu] What is Moanalua Garden like? What is a 130-year-old monkeypod tree?

Oahu, Hawaii's most popular resort island

Hawaii is a tropical resort loved not only in Japan but around the world.

Of all the islands in Hawaii that many people visit each year for vacation, Oahu is the island where the most tourists descend.

Oahu has many classic spots such as Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, and Ala Moana Center.

 

What is Oahu like?

Oahu is considered to have the largest population in the state of Hawaii, with 80% of the state's total population living on the island.

Major facilities are concentrated in Honolulu, the state capital, which is also home to Hawaii's largest airport, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, a hub for connecting flights to other Hawaiian islands.

The average temperature is mild at around 25 degrees Celsius, making it possible to enjoy marine activities all year round.

Oahu is especially famous for surfing, with high waves during the winter, attracting surfers from all over the world in search of good waves.

 

How to get to Oahu

A direct flight from Japan to Oahu takes approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Direct flights are conveniently available from Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Chubu, Fukuoka, and Shin-Chitose airports.

 

Attractions of Oahu

While beautiful beaches and abundant nature are the main attractions of Hawaii, if shopping is the goal of your trip, Oahu is the perfect place to go.

There are many shopping spots on Oahu, including the Ala Moana Center, a huge shopping center, and the Waikele Premium Outlets, where you can enjoy shopping at a great price.

If you like shopping, you will surely enjoy the many other stores in the center of Waikiki.

 

Beautiful beaches and vast wilderness

Oahu's pristine wilderness, with its endless expanses of emerald green ocean under a bright blue sky, is the island's main attraction.

It is a great place to spend a vacation because you can truly relax and forget the hustle and bustle of the city.

 

One of the world's leading resorts

Oahu is one of the world's most visited resort areas in Hawaii.

Each area has its own charm, such as Honolulu with its resort hotels and shopping centers, Kailua with its beautiful ocean, and the North Shore, considered a sacred place for surfers.

Therefore, people from all over the world enjoy their thoughtful resorts here.

 

Shopping and restaurants are also recommended

Oahu is also a great place for shopping.

Ala Moana Center, one of the world's largest open-air shopping centers, is located along Ala Moana Beach, west of Waikiki Beach and across from Ala Moana Beach Park.

The four department stores are a sight to behold, offering a wide variety of stores, including not only top brands, but also American brands that have not yet entered the Japanese market, and select stores. It is a must-see for shopping enthusiasts.

There are also many gourmet restaurants, and three food courts - Makai Market, Lanai at Ala Moana, and Sirokia Japan Village Walk - offer gourmet food from Hawaii and around the world.

Of course, there are many good restaurants outside of Ala Moana Center.

The lineup is rich in variety, from the well-known loco moco to pancakes with a mountain of whipped cream and a vegan restaurant that uses organic vegetables, so you will never get bored when it comes to food.

 

What is Moanalua Garden like?

Moanalua Garden is located about 30 minutes by car from Waikiki.

Dotted with large trees that are more than 100 years old, it is not only a favorite picnic spot for locals, but also a tourist attraction.

 

Moanalua Garden Highlights

The park is home to a variety of plants, not only those native to Hawaii but also those from around the world, including gardens inspired by the Orient, such as Japan and China.

It is a historic park that reflects the will of the royal family, which was committed to the co-existence and co-prosperity of multiple ethnic groups.

 

monkey pod

While Moanalua Garden offers visitors the opportunity to view plants from around the world, the monkey pods stand out as a symbolic presence.

Familiar to Japanese people through the lyrics that begin with "Kono ki na nani no ki" (What kind of tree is this tree?), it is also known as the "Hitachi tree" as it appears in the Hitachi Group's commercials.

The "Hitachi Tree" is a monkey pod plant native to Central and South America, with a height of about 25 meters and a branch spread of about 40 meters, and many tourists from Japan visit every year to see the giant tree in person.

In the old days, it was useful to place weapons under these monkeypods during wars, so that they could be hidden from enemies in the sky above.

 

Check out the cottages and souvenirs.

Moanalua Garden is known as the location of the cottage where Prince Lot, later to become King Kamehameha V, lived.

There is also a souvenir store that sells original goods such as pens, beach towels, T-shirts, eco bags, and mugs with monkey pod motifs. These unique Hawaiian souvenirs are sure to be appreciated.

 

A place for locals to relax

On holidays, the area is crowded with locals who spend their days lying on the grass, eating lunch in the shade of trees, and spending time surrounded by greenery.

This laid-back scene is another attraction of Oahu that is different from the bustling marine activities.

 

About Monkeypod

An evergreen tree of the subfamily Fabaceae (Fabaceae) native to tropical America, it is also known as the raintree or American raintree.

It is also known as a "gathering tree" in Hawaii because people rest in its shade. It can grow up to 50 meters when its leaves are spread out, and it is used as furniture material because it can easily become a large tree.

Japanese people would recognize it as "the big tree in the Hitachi Group commercial.

When you see the enormous appearance of the monkey pods, you are impressed by their size and sense of déjà vu.

 

About the best season for sightseeing

The Moanalua Garden area is always in its best season all year round, with little rainfall and temperatures averaging 24-30°C (72-86°F).

The "Hitachi Tree" flowers twice a year, in May and November.

The best time to visit is around May and November, when you can see the beautiful, thread-like, pink flowers blooming, especially in May and November.

 

Access and Admission Fees

This section describes how to get to Moanalua Garden.

By car, from the airport, take the elevated Nimitz Hwy. straight and turn left at the intersection of Puuloa Rd.

Go straight and turn left at the intersection with Mahiole St. Turn left and go straight until you see a "DEAD END" sign on the right. At the first corner, turn left and follow the road to the parking lot.

From Waikiki, take the H1 West, then take the Moanalua Freeway (78) in a westerly direction and exit at the Tripler Hosp exit. In the middle of the exit lane, there is a "Moanalua Gardens" sign.

It can also be reached by The Bus.

From the bus stop on Kapiolani Avenue on the mountain side of Ala Moana Center, take the number 3 bus, but feel free to tell the driver when you board that it will take you to the gate at Fort Shafter.

The drop-off point is just off the freeway, and once you get off, go straight along the road to the back gate of Moanalua Gardens.

As for the admission fee to Moanalua Gardens, tourists 13 years and older are charged $5, those 6-12 years old are charged $3, and children under 6 years old are admitted for free.

 

You can go to Moanalua Garden.
Recommended Tours

You can get there on your own by car or bus, or you can take an optional tour to make it easier.

It is also recommended to enjoy not only Moanalua Garden but also other famous spots in combination.

 

Half-day tour of Oahu! Sightseeing Tour
Hanauma Bay, Iolani Palace, What is this tree?

In addition to Moanalua Garden, this tour offers an efficient tour of Hanauma Bay, which was awarded the No. 1 beach in the U.S., and Iolani Palace, where you can feel the history of Hawaii, with a Japanese-speaking guide.

You can visit three popular spots in half a day.

 

North Shore (Haleiwa) Sightseeing

This tour adds Haleiwa Town and Moanalua Gardens to the ever-popular North Shore sightseeing tour.

We are also happy that you can choose whether or not to climb Diamond Head.

 

Conquer the classic tourist spots!
Private Tour

This is a private tour with an at-home atmosphere.

This is a full tour that takes you from your desired location to popular Hawaiian attractions with an experienced and seasoned guide.

 

summary

In this issue, we have introduced the attractions of Oahu, the island where the most people land in Hawaii, one of the world's most popular resort destinations, with a focus on Moanalua Gardens. How was it?

While classic spots such as Waikiki Beach and Ala Moana Center are great, we also recommend Moanalua Garden, where you can see the monkeypods you have seen in commercials.

Please visit when you are touring Oahu.

Thank you for watching until the end.