GCO Spotlight:
Hawai’i Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve by Carol Burton
Of all the botanical gardens I have visited this one is my favorite. Besides its stunning beauty and wonderful variety of unique tropical plants and trees, it is well organized and well documented. Plants are labeled and there are many plaques throughout the gardens telling about legends and special plants.
This lovely garden is located on the east coast of the Big Island in a fertile valley that goes down to meet the ocean. It borders on the stunning Onomea Bay, just a few miles from Hilo.
This area was originally settled as a fishing village called Kahali’i. Because it was a natural landing area for sailing ships it became a shipping port in the 1800’s.
Many Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese and Filipino immigrants came to Kahali’i. They worked in the sugar fields and helped build The Onomea Sugar Mill. Raw sugar became a major export. By the early 1900’s the valley was deserted and became overrun with vegetation. By the 1960’s the Onomea Valley became so overgrown with native and invasive plants it was impenetrable.
It was discovered by Dan and Pauline Lutkenhouse in 1977. After Dan sold his trucking business and retired they purchased the 17 acre area. They made it their life’s work to very carefully clear the invasive vegetation and weeds and preserve the native vegetation. They also brought in endangered tropical plants from all over the world. The Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Garden was opened in 1984 as a scientific and educational nonprofit. It has also become a seed bank for endangered tropical species.
When walking through the garden you will see many tropical species from all over the world, wonderfully relaxing waterfalls and tropical birds as you stroll along the boardwalk.
This lovely garden is located on the east coast of the Big Island in a fertile valley that goes down to meet the ocean. It borders on the stunning Onomea Bay, just a few miles from Hilo.
This area was originally settled as a fishing village called Kahali’i. Because it was a natural landing area for sailing ships it became a shipping port in the 1800’s.
Many Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese and Filipino immigrants came to Kahali’i. They worked in the sugar fields and helped build The Onomea Sugar Mill. Raw sugar became a major export. By the early 1900’s the valley was deserted and became overrun with vegetation. By the 1960’s the Onomea Valley became so overgrown with native and invasive plants it was impenetrable.
It was discovered by Dan and Pauline Lutkenhouse in 1977. After Dan sold his trucking business and retired they purchased the 17 acre area. They made it their life’s work to very carefully clear the invasive vegetation and weeds and preserve the native vegetation. They also brought in endangered tropical plants from all over the world. The Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Garden was opened in 1984 as a scientific and educational nonprofit. It has also become a seed bank for endangered tropical species.
When walking through the garden you will see many tropical species from all over the world, wonderfully relaxing waterfalls and tropical birds as you stroll along the boardwalk.
Throughout the gardens are legends and stories about the garden. Below are just a few that we found interesting.
“KU” – The Tiki
“Two remarkable feats came together in 2011 for the Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Garden. One was a very special 80 year old Monkey Pod Tree that grew in the garden and the other was Master Carver William “Rocky” Vargas.
This outstanding Tiki was carved by Master William (Rocky) Vargas of Hilo, Hawai’i. As a young boy he learned the art and style of the Hawaiian culture from his brother’s achievements in Tiki carving. Later he studied woodwork, art and drafting in school. Now his carvings are shown throughout the United States and also in Sweden. His works in the Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Garden, Guam and Kauai have brought him recognition. The garden thanks Mr. Vargas. Only his passion, reverence and respect could have produced a masterpiece such as this representation of the Hawaiian God, KU.
The dark, beautiful 80 year old Monkey Pod tree once growing in our garden provided this rare wood to become this magnificent Tiki of KU.” *
This outstanding Tiki was carved by Master William (Rocky) Vargas of Hilo, Hawai’i. As a young boy he learned the art and style of the Hawaiian culture from his brother’s achievements in Tiki carving. Later he studied woodwork, art and drafting in school. Now his carvings are shown throughout the United States and also in Sweden. His works in the Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Garden, Guam and Kauai have brought him recognition. The garden thanks Mr. Vargas. Only his passion, reverence and respect could have produced a masterpiece such as this representation of the Hawaiian God, KU.
The dark, beautiful 80 year old Monkey Pod tree once growing in our garden provided this rare wood to become this magnificent Tiki of KU.” *
The Legend of Twin Rocks
“The village of Kahali’i was located on this large point of land which extends into Onomea Bay. Though the village is gone, the descendants of Kahali’i still remember some of the legends concerning the area’s landmarks. One story tells of the origin of two rock formations at the head of Onomea Bay. They are said to be a young man and woman, known as the lovers of Kahali’i.
Legend has it that one day a chief of the village spotted many canoes with sails heading shoreward. Fearing an attack, the chiefs and village elders held a council to determine a course of action. They decided to build a reef to prevent a landing on their beaches. Not having the means to complete the task quickly enough, they asked for two young lovers to be the guides and protectors of the village. Two willing individuals were found.
That night a decree was sent to all who lived at Kahali’i to remain indoors from sunset to sunrise without making any light or sound. The penalty for disobeying was death. In the light of the new day everyone went down to the shoreline where they were amazed to find the lovers gone. In their place they found two gigantic rock formations at the entrance of the Bay. They were attached to each other as if on guard.
The chief informed the people that no canoe could now pass the treacherous currents swirling around the rocks unless allowed to do so by the guardians. The lovers and their offspring still stand today, sentinels at the head of the Bay.”*
Legend has it that one day a chief of the village spotted many canoes with sails heading shoreward. Fearing an attack, the chiefs and village elders held a council to determine a course of action. They decided to build a reef to prevent a landing on their beaches. Not having the means to complete the task quickly enough, they asked for two young lovers to be the guides and protectors of the village. Two willing individuals were found.
That night a decree was sent to all who lived at Kahali’i to remain indoors from sunset to sunrise without making any light or sound. The penalty for disobeying was death. In the light of the new day everyone went down to the shoreline where they were amazed to find the lovers gone. In their place they found two gigantic rock formations at the entrance of the Bay. They were attached to each other as if on guard.
The chief informed the people that no canoe could now pass the treacherous currents swirling around the rocks unless allowed to do so by the guardians. The lovers and their offspring still stand today, sentinels at the head of the Bay.”*
Epitaph to a Beautiful Lady-Our Banyan Tree
“She was more than 100 years old and her beauty was spectacular. More than 100 feet high, her limbs reached out more than 200 feet. She provided a tranquil umbrella of shade over Banyan Canyon and its variety of shade loving plants. What remains is the smallest of her three trunks. Growing on a rocky ledge of this canyon, her shallow root system could not support her ever-increasing size and weight. On July 6, 1986 our beautiful Banyan fell back to the earth from whence she grew. Her beauty will always be remembered.”*
Here are just a few photos from my visit to the Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Garden.
If you would like to learn more about the Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Garden, Click Here to Visit Their Website
*These quotes are from plaques in the garden.
