Hidden away in a nook along the Hamakua coast at Onomea Bay is a wonderful gem of natural beauty. Located along the 4-mile Scenic Drive just north of Hilo, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is often my location of choice to refresh the soul and enhance the senses.
Created as a nature preserve to protect the beauty and harmony of the rainforest, a series of trails guide the visitor through an assortment of ecosystems within the tropical rainforest. Tropical plant life has been collected from throughout the world. These include many species of plants, including palms, bromeliads, heliconia, medicinal plants, and many plants which are listed as rare and endangered species. More than 2,000 species of plants are represented in the garden.
From the visitor center a boardwalk descends into the rainforest. At once the visitor is in the midst of a palm jungle, dark and cool, the trail ends at tumbling Onomea Falls. Moments after leaving the tall palms, heliconia plants surround the trail, the strange, claw-like flowers appear in a wide range of colors and sizes.
Around the corner is Banyan Canyon leading to the orchid garden, a photographer’s delight, there is always plenty of color and bloom in this garden. Listen carefully and you might hear the chatter of the resident parrots, Ono, Mea, Hama and Kua. Beyond is the Lily Lake brought to life by Japanese koi fish and colorful water lilies.
Beyond the lake is a rain shelter, where you can rest or continue on to the rugged ocean vista. Just behind Bay Vista Point is a burial site, two adults and two children. It is believed that they were members of one of the last families of what was a thriving fishing village at Onomea.
At the ocean’s edge tha garden takes on a different appearance. The serenity of the jungle is replaced by what is usually wild, pounding surf. At Turtle Point is a rest stop where you can sit and watch the ocean. The endangered green sea turtles are sometimes seen at this point, watch carefully as they stick there head above the surface.
Returning to the forest via Crab Cove the visitor will find a different type of forest in Cook Pine Trail, where giant pines tower above, surrounded by hibiscus and giant begonia. Descending down the trail and passing Lily Lake, exotic edible plants appear, coffee, tea, cocoa, breadfruit, minature pineappple and vanilla orchids lead the visitor back to the boardwalk and visitor center.
Anytime is a great time to visit the garden. Umbrellas are provided for wet days, during a hot day it is a perfect way to escape the heat.
Tips for Enjoying the Garden
The entrance of the trail is 120 feet above sea level. The trail down into the garden is 500 feet long and it is quite steep. Walk slowly and hold on to the rope guard rails. Within the garden the trails are quite level and easy to walk on. It will take you approximately two hours to walk all of the trails. For your own safety and comfort please observe the following:
- Wear flat, comfortable shoes, during wet days the trails can be slippery and muddy
- Follow the yellow trail arrows
- Do not leave the trails. Some of the coastline and terrain are dangerous
- Watch your children, some places are dangerous, especially along the coastline
- Do not lean on guard ropes on trails
- Do not litter
- Drive carefully to and from the garden, the road is narrow and winding
Cuba is one of the most romantic and sunny places there is to get married. The beaches are beyond gorgeous and the water is clear. One of the top five places to get married in Cuba is Melia Las Dunas. Of course, there are four other wedding destinations to choose from but you can get online and research to find out all you need to Know about Cuba. We are going to talk about Melia Las Dunas here.