Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

September 4th, 2007

I plan people’s Hawaii itineraries for a living and it amazes me how many people do not want to go to a botanical garden. I’m sure there are people who live there who haven’t been to one either. Most people think going to a botanical garden is boring or has the stigma of being “snooty.” Of the 7 million visitors that go to the islands every year, very few have ever step foot in a formal garden setting. People who visit come from very different climates and should be willing to be exposed to the beautiful and unique flora of Hawaii and it certainly has a lot to offer!

I admit, when my old boss told me I had to go to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden while on the Big Island, I smiled politely and thought “I’m not going there.” But as we were heading into Hilo from Akaka Falls, we decided to go for it and am I glad we did! Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (HTBG) is tucked away on what the guidebooks call the “four mile scenic drive” or old Mamalahoa Highway 8 1/2 miles north of Hilo on Onomea Bay. This garden really is unique and beautiful because it was hand cleared and built with love. Dan J. Lutkenhouse and his wife Pauline discovered the 17 acre patch of land in 1977 while on vacation. They bought it, sold their business in San Francisco and moved to the Big Island to hand cultivate and clear this beautiful site, established it as a non-profit so that the land would never be developed. He hand picked the sites for all of the beautiful flowers, fruit trees and stumbled upon the amazing waterfall pictured above.

They do tell you in the beginning that the very steep ramp that goes down into the valley to the trails may not be for everyone depending on their physical fitness. That being said, the hubby and I aren’t of the supermodel physique and made it down and more importantly back up just fine. They have little benches along the way so you can rest if you’d like and honestly the benches are in relaxing little nooks that invite you to sit and just take it all in. But for us, the treasures inside were worth the trip up and down the 500 foot or so ramp. If you think you may need golf cart assistance up and down the ramp, you can pay $5. The photo ops there are so bountiful you could get a new, beautiful view from every step. From things like fruit trees with monstrous hanging jackfruit that look like spiked beehives to these tiny little dwarf pineapples, you realize just how much the islands offer for food. If you’re from the mainland, you’ll see fruits you definitely won’t see in your “big box” grocery stores. You can seek out Asian markets and you may be able to come across some fruits like rambutans, durian, jackfruit and more.

Click below to read more!

The flowers at this garden are amazing. You see some of the typical flowers you might get in a tropical bouquet like torch ginger, heliconia, birds of paradise and dendrobium orchids but you’ll also see other varieties you didn’t know existed. I have no clue what these dangling bunched orchids are called but I’ve never seen anything like it. Some of my favorites are seeing different varieties of my favorites like heliconias. I like the regular common version but then you have lobster claw heliconia which dangle from above and are so unique. There are soothing smells of the flowers all intermingling in the air. That along with the sounds of the waterfall in the little cove or the ocean crashing against lava rocks in Onomea Bay just wash over your senses. It’s one of the most relaxing places ever. You can watch the turtles in the sea lollygagging on the adjacent rock landing. They have a section where there are some macaws in cages which are exciting for the kids but once they start screeching, walk away since they get annoying quick. There is a big beautiful koi pond in the middle of the trails with beautiful water lillies and palm trees. It’s all self guided so you don’t have to keep up with the group and can stay as long as it’s open if you like. DEFINITELY take advantage of the mosquito repellant they offer. Actually apply some before you go down because if we had waited until we got to the spot they offered it, we would’ve been a buffet for the little buggahs! I hope sharing our experience at this awe inspiring garden has given you a different outlook on botanical gardens and that you might consider visiting one on your next trip.

For more information on the HTBG, see below.

HAWAII TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN
A 501 (c)(3) Scientific and Educational Non-Profit
27-717 Old Mamalahoa Highway
P.O. Box 80, Papaikou, HI 96781
Phone: 808-964-5233 FAX: 808-964-1338
Visit Website
Directions and Hours of Operation
Email: htbg@ilhawaii.net

Comments

6 Comments so far

MrBeachBum on September 4, 2007 11:57 am
I have been there and I can say that it is definitely worth checking out. Highly recommended!
callie on September 4, 2007 3:10 pm
I used to live in Hilo- Volcano area…I am being biased in saying our landscape and florals rock!

*smiles
malama pono!
callie
Evelyn on September 5, 2007 10:59 pm
Foster Gardens is on my list of places to talk about but I’m sure there will be no pictures to equal these! Absolutely beautiful!
Sheila on October 1, 2007 4:48 pm
Looks beautiful! Next time I’m in that neck of the woods, I’d love to check it out.
skeet on October 1, 2007 6:19 pm
I’ve lived on Oahu for twelve years and have never been to Sea Life Park or the Hawaiian Cultural Center. Waimea Falls Botanical Gardens is my favorite spot on the island, and I’ve visited several other botanical gardens over the years (though there are still more I need to explore.) You can’t find the heart and soul of Hawaii without seeing the beauty that grows in natural lushness in these wonderful places! You can bet I’ll check out Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden next time I’m on the Big Island! Mahalo for sharing this post with the Carnival of Aloha so I could find it!
Stop by the Carnival of Aloha: Part 2 : True Aloha on October 1, 2007 7:05 pm
[...] fly on over to the 2nd edition of the Carnival of Aloha, click here. Where our post regarding the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is [...]