Catch-and-Release Fishing Returns to Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden on Oʻahu

Get ready to cast your line. But first, you’ll need to make a reservation.

Situated at the foot of the Koʻolau Mountains on Oʻahu’s Windward Side, Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden spans 400 beautiful acres. Opened in 1982, the garden is the youngest and largest botanical garden owned and operated by the city and county of Honolulu. 

The property features six tropical gardens—which are inspired by geographical regions—and it also boasts a reservoir lake, Loko Waimaluhia. The lake is 12 feet at its deepest and covers 32 acres. In the event of flooding, the lake has the capability to expand to 150 acres. The garden was actually designed and built to provide protection for the Kāneʻohe area in the event of major flooding. 

Today, the garden lures thousands of visitors every day with its dramatic driveway and serene landscapes.  

And for many years, visitors looked forward to the garden’s free fishing program. The activity ended during the pandemic and never restarted.  

But beginning May 7, you’ll be able cast a line at Loko Waimaluhia again. 

“We are so excited to once again offer this amazing recreation and educational opportunity to our botanical garden visitors,” Honolulu Botanical Garden Director Joshlyn Sand said in a news release.  

In addition to facility improvements and staff training, the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation worked with the county’s information technology team to develop a free reservation system for the popular program. This is intended to help manage the hundreds of visitors eager to fish.  

Similar to the online reservation system for the county’s campgrounds, fishing reservations will open at 5 p.m. two weeks in advance. If you’re looking to be one of the first to fish at Loko Waimaluhia again on May 7, reservations will open Wednesday, April 23 at 5 p.m. 

With a reservation, fishing is permitted at Loko Waimaluhia on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The activity is open and free for all ages. You can bring your own pole (no barbed hooks or live bait), but if you need, you can also rent a pole for free from the botanical garden.  

If you miss the chance to make a reservation, walk-ins are also welcomed. However, to ensure a spot, booking in advance is highly recommended.  

“From helping launch the online reservation system, to making physical access to the lake easier, and getting our staff ready for the curious keiki and their ʻohana, there were a lot of improvements and upgrades that went into this reopening,” Sand said. “A big mahalo also to the garden visitors who patiently waited to once again enjoy catch-and-release fishing. We can’t wait to see the memories created through fishing at our beautiful, picturesque lake.” 

To make free reservations, visit bit.ly/HoomaluhiaFishing.