Nani Mau Gardens

Nani Mau Gardens is a 23-acre tropical botanical garden and event venue on the Big Island of Hawaii, located less than three miles from Hilo's downtown, airport, and cruise port. The name means "Beautiful Forever" in Hawaiian — a fitting description for grounds that were transformed from papaya farmland into one of the island's most distinctive event settings after opening to the public in 1972. The gardens are home to more than 2,000 plant species, 200 varieties of flowering plants, 100 varieties of tropical fruit trees, and a notable orchid collection that includes Venus Slipper, Moth, Dancing-lady, and Cattleya orchids. Seven distinct event spaces range from indoor air-conditioned rooms to covered lanais with garden views, a serene gazebo, and open lawns sized for concerts and luaus — accommodating intimate gatherings of 40 and larger events of up to 240 guests. Nani Mau Gardens serves as a venue for weddings, birthday and graduation parties, corporate conferences, and cultural celebrations, with in-house catering centered on locally inspired, garden-to-table cuisine. It is also recognized as a historic landmark for Hawaiian culture, welcoming visitors from around the world.