FRIENDS OF HONOLULU BOTANICAL GARDENS
The object of this organization shall be to support the aims, policies and programs of Honolulu Botanical Gardens, so that knowledge, enjoyment and recreation concerning trees, flowers, plants, horticulture, gardens and related subjects may be spread among the people of Hawaii.
About FRIENDS OF HONOLULU BOTANICAL GARDENS
Friends of Honolulu Botanical Gardens (EIN 99-0107937) is a long-established volunteer support organization that raises funds and provides direct programmatic and material support for the five-site Honolulu Botanical Gardens system (Foster, Liliʻuokalani, Wahiawā, Koko Crater and Hoʻomaluhia). Founded in the early 1960s, the Friends organization exists to broaden public knowledge and enjoyment of tropical plants, support conservation of threatened Hawaiian flora, and to assist the City garden staff with education, collections management and horticultural projects.
The organization remains active and donor-facing with a public website, membership and volunteer programs, recurring plant sales and garden events. Recent activity includes a well-attended Spring Plant Sale (April 26, 2025) and the revival/partnership on the Shower Tree Festival (summer 2025); the Friends maintain an updated board and advisory roster for 2025–26 and continue partnerships with the City & County of Honolulu and local conservation groups. On its most recent publicly available Form 990 (filed for 2023) the Friends reported revenue in the low six figures and total assets in the high six figures, indicating ongoing operating activity and stewardship of resources for the gardens.
Historically and today the Friends supply financial support, volunteer coordination, education programming, plant acquisitions and modest capital funding for Garden projects (classroom/office construction, accessioning and label equipment, library and staff training). The group serves as a primary community fundraising/advocacy arm for the Honolulu Botanical Gardens system and continues to run donor-facing events and membership drives to support those activities.
Notable achievements
Funded professional collection assessment
Provided major funding and coordination for a multi-year professional assessment (late 1980s–1990s) that led to recognition of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens as one of the nation’s leading tropical plant collections.
Large historical accession program
Supported extensive plant importation and accessioning work over decades (tens of thousands of seed packets, cuttings and plants between the 1960s and 1990s), significantly expanding the gardens’ living collections.
Sustained fundraising and events
Operated recurring public plant sales and fundraising events (historically 70+ plant sales and continuing with a Spring Plant Sale in April 2025) and funded infrastructure such as staff office/classroom construction and collections computerization.
At a glance
- Total assets
- $900K
- Annual revenue
- $175K
- Tax status
- 501(c)(3)Public charity
- EIN
- 99-0107937
- Location
- Honolulu, HI
- On Mahalo since
- May 2026
Financial figures from the IRS Business Master File, the IRS’s registry of tax-exempt organizations.
Recognition
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