Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens partner with the Hilo community to foster 24 acres of tranquil gardens.
Our story
It all began with love for a special place. There have been many people who loved and cared for Liliʻuokalani gardens since its begining in 1917. Today, Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens are a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering its beauty and connection to the Hilo community.
Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens formed in 2012 and work under a Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Hawai`i Parks and Recreation Department. Our function is to maintain the park, raise funds for improvements, and co-sponsor community events. We coordinate more than 1,000 volunteers a year in fostering 24 acres of verdant cultural landscape.
Fostered with care
We hope the work we do advances the aesthetic and physical beauty of Hilo and provides a tranquil place to recreate and enjoy. We aim to promote beauty through ornamental horticulture, floriculture, and arboriculture. Through our work, we develop relationships with other non-profit public gardens in North America.
Board of Directors
K.T Cannon-Eger, President
Hawai`i resident for 48 years; founding member of the North American Japanese Garden Association, board member 2018-2023; partner in Cannon and Eger (1972); active with Puna Hongwanji Mission, past-president of the island-wide Buddhist Women’s Association; enthusiastic gardener, Master Gardener emeritus with UH class of 2008.
Jane Heit, Treasurer
Born and raised in Hilo; worked in accounting field for 30 plus years, specializing in non-profits and trusts; interested in things Japanese, bon dance instructor and president of Tsukikage Odorikai (Moonlight Dance Club).
Kalani Kahalioumi, Director
Keaukaha resident; works for County P&R as director of special programs housed at Richardson Beach Park, emphasis on surfing, sailing, and swimming as both educational and recreational activities; member of Polynesian Voyaging Society, sailed with Hokule`a and Hikianalia; former certified substance abuse counselor at Lokahi Treatment Centers.
Kenji Kuroshima, Director
From Kobe, Japan, studied at Osaka University of Economics; resident of Hawai`i Island for many years; professional photographer specializing in hula performances and competitions such as Merrie Monarch Festival; tea ceremony practitioner; popular blogger in Japanese on Hawai`i Island; owner of Black Island LLC.
Glenn Miyao, Director
Life-long resident of Hilo, graduate of Hilo High School and UH-Manoa; retired park planner with the Department of Parks and Recreation, County of Hawai`i; currently enjoying travel and grandson’s baseball games.
Bert Mukai, Director
Born and raised in Hilo, Eagle Scout; graduate of UH-Hilo Business; worked for family business Mukai Vegetable & Flower Shop; retired County Parks Department after 35 year career from caretaker to supervisor and recreation specialist; 50 years of his own landscape maintenance business; volunteer with County P&R Culture & Education.
Amy Nishiura, Director
Born and raised in Hilo, graduate of Waiakea High School; Practitioner of Chado, the Japanese traditional Way of Tea, at the Hilo Urasenke school of tea ceremony for the past 20+ years; past English secretary, past treasurer, current chief of administration; assistant bon dance instructor of Tsukikage Odorikai (Moonlight Dance Club).
Alton M. Okinaka, Director
Associate Professor of Sociology; Advisor to Sociology Club which brings volunteers to community projects; Director, Social Sciences Training and Research Lab, University of Hawaii at Hilo; School Board for Ke Ana La'ahana Public Charter School.
Advisors
Les Isemoto
Lance Niimi
Mike Sasaki
Hiroshi Suga
Raymond Tanouye
Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens
501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization
We are a completely volunteer-run nonprofit organization, in good standing. We were formed in 2012 and works under a Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Hawai`i Parks and Recreation Department. Our function is to maintain Liliʻuokalani Gardens, raise funds for improvements, and co-sponsor community events in the park. We coordinate over 1,000 volunteers a year in fostering 24 acres of verdant cultural landscape.
