This year, 2025, marks a major milestone for Honolulu’s Community Gardens Program—50 years of growing food, friendships and stronger neighborhoods. In honor of the anniversary, Mayor Rick Blangiardi has proclaimed September as Honolulu Community Gardening Month. It’s the perfect time to learn more about this unique program that has been helping residents connect with the 'aina, or land,—and each other—since 1975.
About the Honolulu Community Garden Program
The Honolulu Community Gardens Program began in 1975, making it the first city-run community gardening program in the United States. The mission was simple but powerful: provide residents with the opportunity to grow their own food, reduce grocery costs and create shared green spaces in the city. What started with a single garden has now grown into a thriving network of gardens across Oahu.
Where Can You Garden on Oahu?
Today, Honolulu’s Community Gardens include 11 active locations across the island. Each site offers individual plots that residents can rent for growing vegetables, herbs and flowers. Fees, rules, plot size and waitlists may vary from site to site, so be sure to attend monthly meetings and talk to community memebers before choosing the garden plot that's right for you.
- Ala Wai Community Garden—End of University Avenue, next to Ala Wai Elementary School, Kapiolani
- Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Ala Wai Community Center at McCully St. and Kapiolani Blvd., (depending on space availability). Check garden bulletin board for updated information.
- Diamond Head Community Garden—On Leahi Avenue across from Pualei Circle, Diamond Head
- Monthly meetings alternate between second Saturday mornings at 9am and second Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m., at the garden. Check garden bulletin board for updated information.
- Dole Community Garden—Top of Frear Street off of Magellan Avenue, Punchbowl
- Monthly meetings are every second Saturday of the month at 8:30 a.m. in-person at the garden. Check garden bulletin board for updated information.
- Foster Community Garden—Foster Botanical Garden, Chinatown
- Monthly meetings are every third Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. in-person at the garden. Check garden bulletin board for updated information.
- Hawaii Kai Community Garden—End of Maniniholo Place, Kamiloiki
- Monthly meetings are held on odd month the third Saturday at 8 a.m. and even month the third Sunday at 5 p.m. in-person at the garden. Check garden bulletin board for updated information.
- Kaneohe Community Garden—45-529 Keaahala Road, behind the baseball field, Kaneohe
- Garden is currently closed for construction.
- Makiki Community Garden—Makiki District Park, corner of Wilder Avenue and Makiki Street, Makiki
- Monthly meetings are every second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in-person at the Makiki District Park Craft Building. Check garden bulletin board for updated information.
- Manoa Community Garden—3155 Manoa Road, next to Manoa Garden Elderly Housing, Manoa
- Monthly meetings are held on odd months on the second Thursdays at 6 p.m. and even months on the second Saturdays at 10 a.m. at the meeting room at the Manoa District Park. Check garden bulletin board for updated information or contact manoacommunitygardens@gmail.com
- Moiliili Community Garden—814 Coolidge Street, Moiliili
- Monthly meetings are the last Saturday of the month at 4 p.m. in-person at the garden. Check garden bulletin board for updated information.
- Mutual Lane Community Garden—At the end of Mutual Lane near 1710 Mutual Lane, Nuuanu
- Wahiawa Community Garden—On Kamehameha Highway across Wheeler Army Airfield, Wahiawa
- Monthly meetings are every last Saturday of the month at 8:30 a.m. in-person at the garden. No meeting in December due to the holidays. Gardeners are required to come to the meeting early to sign-in due to the large number of gardeners attending. Check garden bulletin board for updated information. * Note that there are some special rules at this location due to proximity of U.S. Army Air Field
How Does the Honolulu Community Garden Program Work?
- Eligibility: Plots are open to any Oahu resident, though spaces are limited and often have waitlists.
- Size & Cost: A typical plot is about 100 square feet, with a nominal annual fee. Size and cost vary by location.
- Rules: Gardeners must follow guidelines to keep the gardens safe and productive, including organic gardening practices, regular upkeep and respect for fellow gardeners. Rules may vary by location. See more information about community garden rules and regulations.
- Community Spirit: Beyond the rules, gardeners are encouraged to share knowledge, swap harvests and help maintain the beauty of these shared green spaces.
How to Get a Community Garden Plot
Ready to get growing? Here’s how to get your own Honolulu Community Garden:
- Contact the Honolulu Department of Parks & Recreation to request an application.
- Choose a preferred garden location (or multiple) when applying.
- Waitlist: Because demand is high, you may be placed on a waitlist.
- Orientation: Once a plot is available, you’ll attend an orientation session before planting.
- For details: Visit the City & County of Honolulu’s Community Gardens Program page.
For questions about these neighborhoods, or others across Oahu, contact your Locations agent. Happy gardening!
