KANEOHE, Hawaii (KHON2) -- Families are eagerly waiting for a popular program to return to the Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens. While they won't have to wait much longer, there will be a new requirement when it reopens.
Between 1,500 to 3,000 people visit the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden in Windward Oahu every day. Since its opening in 1982, its popularity has continued to grow.
According to Honolulu Botanical Gardens Director Joshlyn Sand, Hoomaluhia sees more than 600,000 visitors a year, which is a big increase.
The meteoric rise is largely due to social media and the many family-friendly programs offered at the garden.
A fan favorite is the fishing program that shut down during the pandemic and has not reopened for several reasons.
The first is the bridge that has been condemned for safety reasons. After four years, it's fixed.
With the construction of the bridge finally complete, there are just a few more things that need to be done before the popular catch-and-release fishing program starts up again.
According to Sand, they're working with the City's Department of Information Technology to develop a reservation system for the public to reserve a spot for the fishing program two weeks in advance.
"There'll be a weekday option and a weekend option. There'll be morning slots and there'll be afternoon slots on Saturdays and on Wednesdays," Sand explained.
Stan Wright, who works with Scouts USA, has been teaching kids and families how to fish for decades and can't wait for the program to return.
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"This is fantastic. You couldn't ask for better news. This is a perfect place," said Wright. "I'm ready to go fishing. How about you?"
Sand said they hope to have the reservation system up by November.