Nestled along the scenic Hamakua Coast of the Big Island, about 7 miles north of Hilo, lies a must-see attraction for gardening enthusiasts: the nonprofit Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. Home to more than 2,500 species of plants, the public areas cover about 17 acres but the entire garden spans 100 acres on the coast.
All photography by Therese Padua Howe
The story behind this living museum is a remarkable one: San Francisco businessman Dan Lutkenhouse Sr. was vacationing on Big Island in 1977 when he discovered the secluded Onomea Valley and purchased 17 acres. He soon decided to establish a botanical garden to preserve the valley’s beauty forever.
For seven years, until the garden opened in 1984, Dan and an assistant worked to clear paths in the overgrown jungle using only hand tools such as cane knives, sickles, picks and shovels. Trails were carefully carved from the volcanic rock, following the valley’s natural contours down to the bay.
As a result, visitors today will find the 500-foot boardwalk entrance quite steep, with an elevation change of 100 feet as you descend into the garden.
You can use walking sticks or canes to help you traverse the entrance and over a mile of trails, but you aren’t allowed to use wheelchairs, scooters or crutches.
That doesn’t seem to deter the 125,000 visitors who come annually to the garden, according to the website.
The Hamakua Coast normally receives an average of 140 inches of rain annually, but the region is experiencing extreme drought - drying up waterfalls such as Onomea Falls.
During my recent visit in late September, the usually cascading Onomea Falls was silent due to the drought conditions, but I didn’t miss it. There were so many spectacular flowers in bloom and huge plant specimens that I was stopping every couple of minutes to take photos or video.
Check out some of the flora that caught my eye - click below to view a video gallery:
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
HOURS: The garden is open daily 9 am-5 pm, with the last entry at 4 pm. — in June and July, last entry is extended to 4:30 pm. It is closed only three days out of the year: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
TICKETS: You can buy tickets online but to get the kama’aina rate, you have to purchase them in person at the Visitors Center. Check the website for rates.
TOURS: You can book a two-hour guided tour, which takes place every Wednesday starting at 8:45 am. Only 10 people per tour, which costs $95 (includes admission, water and insect repellent). Click here for more info and to book a tour.
PHOTOGRAPHY: You can’t block paths or monopolize an area for too long while you’re shooting. You can’t use a drone or broadcast live, and your content must be for personal, non-commercial use.
VISITORS CENTER: Be sure to check out the array of packaged plants for sale at the center. I saw several types that you don’t normally find at other retail outlets around the state.
