Lanterns in Liliʻuokalani Gardens
Lanterns play an important role in Japanese gardens as ornaments. These carved stone monuments bear witness to the many places in Japan and the many people who brought these gardens into being.
The earliest lanterns of the Kasuga style are twins given by Hilo Fujin Shinko Kai, a Japanese Women’s Friendship Association dedicated to beautification in Hilo. These two lanterns were brought to Hilo in 1916, before land was set aside for the oceanside park. At the time, the location of the future park wasn’t certain, but the idea of a garden was definite in these ladies minds.
Lanterns + Monuments
Two komainu (lion dogs) guard the east entry to Lili`uokalani Gardens. They were a gift from Nagasaki.
The Governor of Hiroshima, Izuo Nagano, gifted this lantern to Lili’uokalani Gardens, Hilo. This tall Kasuga lantern was delivered in 1967 and placed under an ancient monkeypod tree 1968.
This polished granite lantern at the north torii entrance was a gift from Yamaguchi Prefecture. It was delivered in 1967 and placed in 1968.
One of two substantial Kasuga lanterns brought to Hilo in 1916 by Hilo Fujin Shinkokai, a Japanese Women's Friendship Association dedication to beautification.
The Niigata lantern is located next to the the wooden bridge in the northeast of Liliʻuokalani Garden.
Donated by Laura V. Kennedy in memory of her husband Charles Clark Kennedy who died in 1919. C.C. and Laura Kennedy were among the original patrons of Lili`uokalani Gardens. Her benevolence continued through her death in 1967.
The second of two substantial Kasuga lanterns brought to Hilo in 1916 by Hilo Fujin Shinkokai, this lantern has stood in this location since the beginning of Lili`uokalani Gardens.
This large Kasuga lanterns arrived by cadet training ship in 1967 and was placed in 1968 as part of the Gannenmomo centennial. The lantern is the gift of the Governor of Fukushima, Morie Kimura.
This yukimi doro (cruved top snow viewing lantern) was placed near the first tea house, Shoroan, when it was built in 1972. The tea house burned in 1994 and was rebuilt in a new location. The lantern, pine tree, and camellia remind us of the beginnings of Urasenke tea ceremony in the gardens.
Izu-Oshima, an island near Tokyo, is the first Sister City/Sister Island relationship. Begun in 1962, and active to this day, Oshima has gifted cultural items to Lili`uokalani Gardens.
A lantern from Tokyo has stood in this spot, in Waihonu, since the beginning of the park. This gift of Tokyo in the late 1960s replaced one broken and lost in the tsunami of 1960.
The Yamanashi lantern was missing for several years. It was restored in 2018. Pieces of the lost Yamanashi lantern were found in a garden tool shed. Restoration to the original location took place in 2018.
Izu-Oshima, an island near Tokyo, is a Sister City/Sister Island to Hawaiʻi County. Oshima gifted the lantern on old turtle island, in Waihonu
The Sister City Grove began in 2015 with this planting of a black pine tree by Hiroshima South Rotary and Hilo Rotary.
Given in the late 1960s by Fukuoka Governor Hikaru Kamei, this pagoda style toro commemorates the centennial of Gannenmono.
The Okinawa lantern was a gift of the Ryukyu Government Administrative Chairman in honor of the centennial of Gannenmono in 1968.