Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden is a unique, magical place, where as soon as you enter, your blood pressure goes lower. You are instantly transported back in time to a land of Hawaiian royalty and serenity.

In 1884 Queen Lili'uokalani purchased approximately 1 1/2 acres of land from Queen Kalama. This land was originally given to Kalama by King Kamehameha III. On the diamondhead side of Nu'uanu Stream, the property included the hidden gem of Waikahalulu waterfall. Above the waterfall, Lili'uokalani built a small house, where she and her close friends would gather to picnic and relax.

This land was later transferred to the Hawaiian Trust Co. to hold until the completion of the Civic Federation's plans to create "a park and recreation ground for the general public benefit."

This generous gift generated additional donations of nearby land, especially from Mark P. Robinson and the other heirs of James Robinson who shared Nu'uanu Stream between Kuakini and School streets.

In 1916 Lili'uokalani Garden was transferred by the Hawaiian Trust Co. to the City and County of Honolulu, upon its promise to "continuously maintain the property as a public park and recreation ground and become responsible for the development and upkeep." During the '60s and '70s, house lots next to the garden were acquired by Honolulu, improvements were made and new plans for the garden's future were mapped out.

Today, Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden is a true tropical oasis surrounded by the concrete/asphalt desert of downtown/urban Honolulu.

The upper terrace of the garden is a meandering path that allows one to stroll by a landscaped ribbon of native Hawaiian plants.

These plants were extremely important for their cultural/ethnobotanical uses.

The visitor will be introduced to 'a'ali'i, 'akia, alahe'e, hala, ho'awa, 'ilie'e, 'ilima, ko-ki'o ke'oke'o, ko'oloa 'ula (maybe my favorite), kulu'i, loulu, ma'o, naio, na'u, 'ohai, pohinahina, 'ulei and wiliwili.

Continuing downhill will lead you to the bridge over Nu'uanu Stream and a spectacular mauka view of gushing Waikahalulu waterfall.

Under towering monkeypod trees, walk across the sea of green grass toward the falls and breathe in the scent of ginger. Luxuriate in the refreshing coolness created by the misty waters of the falls. Stand next to the pond of the falls and let mother nature whisk away all negative stimuli with the best possible prescription for stress.

Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and best of all, it's free!

Duane Choy is a volunteer coordinator and heads docent training for the Honolulu botanical gardens. Reach him at hbg@honolulu.gov. Foster Botanical Garden, 50 N. Vineyard Blvd., is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. For information about the garden, call 522-7066.