Established in 1927, Friendship Garden is a 10-acre natural area that is located high in the Oneawa Hills. This garden was uniquely created as a tranquil retreat for the small subdivision just below called Kokokahi. A subdivision that was, in fact, the very first Hawaiian interracial community and the aptly named Friendship Garden was designed as a place of tranquility for everyone to enjoy together. Today, you don’t have to be a resident of the subdivision to enjoy the natural escapes this property has to offer — and it really does have a lot of them to offer.
Friendship Garden and Oneawa Hills trails are a more hidden outdoor experience on the island of Oahu. That is to say, you won’t really find a lot of information about this place on most tourist sites, resort recommendations, or similar promotional materials. In fact, tour groups and similar commercial enterprises are strictly prohibited due to the more neighborhood feel of the area. But for the individual and small group who wants to explore Hawaii’s tropical outdoors? You are welcome and so too are dogs!
The property is currently owned by a nonprofit that was established by Jack and Janet Gilmar who sought to restore the gardens for the general public after it fell into disrepair following World War II. In 1998, the Gilmars deeded the garden fully to the nonprofit, and today a group of volunteers maintains the trail and general property. You might even choose to leave a small donation to this group when visiting Friendship Garden and Oneawa Hills, but it is not necessary. These grounds are open to all during all daylight hours and without any fees.
Of course, due to it beginning as a park for a tight-knit neighborhood, Friendship Garden and Oneawa Hills is understandably a bit odd to get to. Go towards the Kokokahi YMCA on Kaneohe Bay Drive. Near here, you will see an intersection for Kokokahi Place, a road that goes inland. Take that road all the way down until you see the sign for Friendship Garden. Note, the parking lot here is very limiting, with only four designated off-road spaces directly in front of the garden. If this parking lot is full, then there is the option to park at the bottom of the hill otherwise you risk getting a parking ticket.
As you enter the Friendship Garden, you will find a pavilion that is outfitted with large maps and informational material on the property. You will also find smaller paper maps and brochures that you can take with you to learn more about the history behind the neighborhood and the flora and fauna of Oahu.
There are a lot of unique things to look at and experience at Friendship Garden and Oneawa Hills, but there are two primary things people go for: The tea house bridge and the 2.3-mile hike to the top.
During those early days of the Friendship Garden, an authentic Chinese-style tea house bridge spanned across a tiny brook. The wooden parts of this tea house were unfortunately destroyed by vandals during the 1960s (this was during that aforementioned era of when the whole of the park when into disrepair and neglect). After the Gilmars bought the property, this tea house bridge was on the top of their fix list. In 1984, local craftsmen Walter Ishikawa and Masaru Okamura redesigned the wooden parts of the bridge using photographs of the original structure.
The second big draw of this property is the outstanding 2.3-mile, out-and-back trail that takes hikers to a pretty fantastic vista point overlooking Kaneoha Bay. This trail meanders through a bamboo forest alive with birds and gorgeous tropical flowers.
Insider Tip:
The hike to the top can get strenuous in parts, with there being ropes to assist those clamoring up muddy spots. So make sure you bring the right footgear and plenty of water. Despite not being that long of the loop, most people spend two to three hours hiking the trails here.