Ancient banyan trees, rare wildlife and stunning vistas combine to make Hawaii’s largest – and oldest – public park the perfect place to relax.
Honolulu’s residents have been heading for Kapiolani Park to escape the bustling city’s streets ever since King Kalakaua presented it to the people of Hawaii in 1877. However, more recently, the impressive natural beauty and extensive recreational facilities of this sprawling 121-hectare expanse have made it a haven of rest and relaxation for visitors to the city too.You’ll find all walks of life among the park’s rolling grasses and towering trees, from elderly Asians practising tai chi to long-distance runners circling the purpose-built tracks every one united in the desire to take a break from the world in Hawaii’s most famous public park. There’s something of interest for everybody in this popular city retreat. Sports fans have no shortage of options for working up a sweat with tennis courts, basketball courts, an outdoor gym, and even an archery range all provided free of charge. And if you just want to watch, then sit back and cheer at one of the many international lacrosse or rugby tournaments, or the Honolulu marathon hosted annually in the park.Music lovers are equally spoilt for choice in Kapiolani the bandstands are always full of local musicians entertaining the crowds, while Waikiki Shell stadium frequently draws crowds of thousands for top international concerts. The highlight in the city’s music calendar also takes place in the park in April local superstar Jack Johnson’s Kokua Music Festival is hosted in the 2,000-seater stadium, with thousands more thronging the surrounding grassy hills.For many visitors, however, it is not the park’s man-made attractions that are the main draw but its natural offerings. The huge, ancient banyan and ironwood trees offer not only welcome shade for picnickers, but a habitat for some of the island’s beautiful birds, such as the red-rested cardinals, often seen flitting between the giants’ branches. Honolulu Zoo to the west of the park is home to even more exotic creatures, and younger visitors are always excited to discover the island’s fascinating marine life in the aquarium.The park is open all year round and is located east of Waikiki beach at the foot of the Diamond Hill volcano with free parking at the Waikiki Shell stadium.
