Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, near Hilo on the Big Island, was founded by the Lutkenhouse's who purchased 17 acres of land above Onomea bay in 1978. The Bay was used by the early Hawaiians as a fishing village known as Kahali'i because of its natural landing area for ships. In the early 1800's the village became a fishing port and was used to bring in materials for construction of the Onomea sugar mill and export of sugar.
The Lutkenhouse's created 1.25 miles of winding paths from the top of the land to the ocean front below and filled it with tropical flowers and hand cleared the land to show off the native trees and plants. In 1984 they opened it to the public and created the non-profit company to which they donated the land.
The Garden is located about 8 miles north of Hilo off route 19. To get there turn right on to the "Scenic Route" off Route 19 at Papaikou. The scenic route is lovely with many one-lane bridges.
The Garden's office and parking is one and a half miles on the scenic drive. There is plenty of parking.
The Garden has an office with bathrooms, gift store and some snacks and drinks. Entrance is $15.00 per person. You can buy a year membership for a couple for $50.
Once you walk through the entrance across the street from the office and past the Founder's plaque,
you are on a boardwalk which extends 500 feet in length and decends 120 feet toward sea level.
Although the boardwalk covers rugged terain and makes the lower level of the park accessible, there were many that couldn't walk back up after their walk down and through the gardens. The park had golf carts that drove up the boardwalk with the tired walkers.
There were a lot of people waiting to get a golf cart ride up. The rides cost $5 on the golf carts.
The tropical plants are lovely on the walk down the boardwalk.
Here is a cute baby pineapple.
At the bottom of the boardwalk, there are steps, bridges and winding paths that take you to different parts of the garden.
All along the way are colorful tropical plants and blooms.
The Ononmea waterfalls and river are a lovely sight.
The path takes you past flowering trees and palms, each carefully identified by a sign.
The center area of the Garden has a orchid garden.
There is also a lily pond with Koi fish.
There is a large cage with parrots.
From the center of the gardens you can see a peek of the ocean.
Hawaiian graves have been preserved in the Garden.
Going down the ocean vista trail you reach Onomea Bay.
There is a great view of Onomea Bay which has famous twin rocks at its entrance. This is a video of the view.
This is looking the opposite direction from the Bay.
The Ocean Vista trail goes by a blow hole.
And a cove with waves crashing on the rocks can be seen.
A wooden statue of Ku - which looked like a huge Tiki doll is set in a clearing on the walk back up the hill.
A circular path leads you back to the bottom of the boardwalk.
There are restrooms at the bottom of the park, but no water. There are benches throughout the garden to sit and take in the scenary and rest. If it is raining, the office provides umbrellas.
We spent about an hour and a half wandering around the park.
After driving out of the Garden parking lot, we drove North on the Scenic drive. We stopped at "What's Shaking" and got a blueberry smoothie. It was refreshing.
