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The last Hawaiian monarch, Queen Lydia Lili'uokalani donated 120,000 square meters for a park on Hilo Bay, Big Island. The Queen wanted to honor the many hardworking Japanese immigrants working the Waiakea Sugar Plantation. Unfortunately the greatly beloved Queen Lili'uokalani was illegally deposed from her rule by American businesses and military in 1893.

Downtown Hilo is more like a traditional Hawaii town, composed of native Hawaiians, Japanese, Chinese, etc. Time seems to be slower here and there is less interest in creating tourist attractions. Yet it is a friendly place and the Park overlooking the bay is my favorite place.

The park has no fence and is free year round. It has a magnificent view of sunrise over Hilo Bay and the Pacific. It has traditional Japanese structures, bridges, tea house, Torii gates, temples, rock garden, and numerous fish ponds. A perfect place to stroll, meditate and relax.