Fury as thousands of influencers descend on new vacation hotspot to get ... trends now

Thousands of influencers are descending on Hawaii's most 'Instagramable' places to take a picture - despite signs saying no photography. 

Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, nestled beneath the majestic Koolau Range, stands as Oahu's largest botanical oasis.

The garden's popularity soared in recent years following a viral image showing its picturesque entrance - a scene adorned with lush palm trees and the backdrop of towering mountain ridges.

It has quickly became known as one of Hawaii's prime spots for capturing stunning shots. The amount of tourists surged from 250,000 in 2017 to over 550,000 by 2022. 

Amid the influx of visitors seeking the perfect shot, a general disregard for safety and rules has also emerged. Many visitors flock to replicate the iconic photo, despite the prevalent 'no photo' and 'no parking' signs placed to deter such behavior.

Joshlyn Sand, director of Honolulu Botanical Gardens, emphasized the persistent issue, and compared it to tourists who disregard the rules at iconic national parks' entrances.

'It's still quite a problem,' Joshlyn Sand, director of Honolulu Botanical Gardens, told SFGATE. 'People will just ignore the signs. They'll literally stage a photo, you know, right by the sign.' 

The issue has caused a congested entryway, which lacks designated pedestrian lanes or bike paths.

In addition to the congestion, there's also the inconvenience and even safety concerns to others.

Sand emphasizes the importance of safety, recounting near-misses and traffic congestion caused by halted vehicles for impromptu photography.

'We've had some close calls. No one's been injured that I know of, but it's gotten sticky before for sure,' Sand said to SFGATE. Traffic congestion, caused by visitors stopping their cars at the entryway to take a photo, also affects the neighbors who use the road.   

Sand said that despite this, photography is welcomed elsewhere within the garden, which sprawls across 400 acres and boasts diverse plant collections from various regions. 

Kaneohe, Hoomaluhia, meaning 'a place of peace and tranquility' in Hawaiian, also offers overnight weekends trips and hiking trails around a serene lake. 

It was constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers to mitigate flooding in 1982.

There are alternative photo spots like Nui and Lehua that offer uninterrupted views of the Koolau mountains and surrounding landscapes.

Despite visitor numbers exceeding 550,000 annually, efforts are underway to manage the impact through potential fees and reservation systems.