Visiting Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden on the Big Island
Plan a visit to Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden near Hilo, with tips on what to see, how long to stay, accessibility, photography and more.
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden at a Glance
What Makes Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden Special?
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is wonderfully unique. I might be dating myself here, but it felt like the set of Fantasy Island. Located on the Hamakua Coast, guests enjoy the lush yet rugged landscape, waterfalls, proximity to the ocean and diverse tropical plant collections.
I learned during my visit that Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden began as one couple’s passion project. Dan and Pauline Lutkenhouse discovered the lush Onomea Valley while vacationing on the Big Island in 1977. Captivated by the property, Dan purchased 17 acres and set out to transform the overgrown land into a botanical garden. For years, he worked alongside a small crew to clear trails by hand while carefully preserving the valley’s mature trees and natural landscape.
My husband who has spent decades helping me in my own endless garden projects, was impressed by Dan’s relentless efforts to tame the wildness by hand and turn it into the magnificent botanical oasis it is today. We love picturing Pauline handing Dan his wrapped sandwich every morning before he set off with a machete and a dream for this new garden.
Their efforts are our reward now. Opened to the public in 1984, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden encompasses more than 100 acres and is home to an extraordinary collection of tropical plants from around the world. (Full history at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden).
Walking Through a Tropical Rainforest Garden
After a quick check-in at the Visitor’s Center, walk across the street to enter the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden and begin your journey down the path to the ocean. (Read Know Before You Go to be prepared!)
The Descent into the Garden
Walking under the entrance sign and into the garden is like stepping into another world. Say goodbye to traffic sounds and blazing sunlight.
The tree canopy closes in overhead and the humidity looms around you like a gentle hug from Mother Nature.
The boardwalk is steep and sometimes wet. Pay attention to your footing and don’t move too quickly that you miss the small details along the way.
Tropical Plants Everywhere You Look
Keep your eyes open for orchids, heliconias, gingers, bromeliads, palms, aroids and more. I’m usually very good at photographing and noting the names of each plant on my garden visits, but this trip mesmerized me so much-I observed more than I photographed.
Maybe that says something about Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden? You don’t need to stop and read every plant label. Just enjoy the experience.
By the way, I did catch the name of this one! It’s a heliconia (Parakeet Flower).
Waterfalls, Streams and Bridges
Part of what took me away from Beyond My Garden Gate and into Fantasy Island was the incredible waterfalls and streams throughout the garden. The sounds of rushing water and babbling shallows are relaxing as you stroll through the filtered sunlight.
The garden itself is woven naturally into the terrain and teaches us gardeners how to work with the contours of the land instead of fighting it.
Lily Lake is another serene water setting in the botanical garden.
Garden Traveler Tip!
With nearby picnic tables and restrooms, Lily Lake is a wonderful spot for taking a break and rehydrating.
Where the Garden Meets the Pacific
We started in the rainforest and watched how the water nourished the tropical flowers, filled the streams and waterfalls, and then we reached the most distinctive feature of Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden: where the garden meets the ocean.
Even though the trek is a little arduous compared to most botanical gardens, I hope you can manage to make it all the way down to this point. The rainforest opens up into this incredible view of the Pacific and crashing waves.
Plants That Shouldn’t be Missed
On my list is the Cannonball Tree (Couroupita guianensis), a member of the Brazil nut family. I first encountered the Cannonball Tree on a visit to the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida. Read about the unique pollination process in my post Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: Exotic and Captivating. During that visit, there were no ‘cannonballs’ on the tree, but I saw plenty on this one in Hawaii!
Don’t the seed pods look like cannonballs?
Watch out below! They have a very distinct odor when they crack open-ewww.
Another striking tropical plant to see at the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is the Spider Lily.
Spider Lily (crinum asiaticum) is also known as Poison Bulb and yes-it is toxic.
Carved from an 80 year old Monkeypod tree, artist William Vargas created a 12 foot statue of the Hawaiian god “Kū” which is not to be missed.
Ask a Gardener
While walking through the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, I chatted with a couple members of the garden team to find out their favorite plants on site. One immediately sent me off on a quest to find the Bat Flower (Tacca chantrieri ).
Unfortunately, the bloom has already passed. This image from DepositPhotos.com shows the distinct Bat Flower. Next time I visit, I will be sure to see one! Isn’t it magnificent?
Another garden team member said the Fern Basket (Drynaria rigidula) is their favorite. This unique fern has two sets of fronds: long green ones like a typical fern, and also some short brownish-rust colored ones that make a ‘basket’ at the base.
This basket area collects moisture and organic material to feed the fern. It has its own little compost center built-in. That’s my husband pretending to hold up the giant fern basket.
Nature can be so fascinating.
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden:
Know Before You Go:
- Check with Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden Hour and Admissions to reserve tickets, guided tours, and note holiday closures.
- The garden is a steep breathtaking descent down to the ocean. This means it’s also a steep uphill trek back to the entrance. It is not accessible for wheelchairs and scooters.
- The garden is essentially a rain forest which provides filtered light. I still recommend sunscreen (reef-friendly), rain gear and bug spray.
- Bring plenty of water and protein snacks as if you were going on a hike. There are drinks and small food items in the Visitor’s Center, but not on the trail which is over a mile long.
- Wear comfortable supportive shoes for navigating the steep terrain which can sometimes be wet.
Accessibility at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
It’s important to note the limited access at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. Due to the nature of the garden being cultivated into the island’s natural landscape, the garden is exempt from ADA requirements. Read more on the HTBG website.
As a 50+ year old female in very good health and condition, I easily navigated the descent and uphill return. The boardwalk and handrails are in excellent condition. It’s not like you’re climbing over tree logs and hiking through a jungle!
The elevation change requires full mobility and steadiness. But once you get beyond the initial descent, the garden path evens out and meanders through the garden.
Be mindful of children in the garden. Strollers are allowed, but must be empty on the steep boardwalk portion. Parents: that means children are by the hand or carried down and up the boardwalk. I saw plenty of families enjoying the garden; do not be discouraged! Just be prepared.
There are bathrooms available down the trail. Similar to national park bathrooms, they are modest and ‘open air’ enclosures.
Beyond Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
After our journey through the garden, we were hot and hungry. Next stop? The Hilo Farmer’s Market. This vibrant collection of vendors provide everything from authentic Hawaiian souvenirs to delicious freshly made poke.
Grab some yumminess and head over to the Hilo Bayfront Park and enjoy the ocean view while you eat.
Want another impressive “nature” experience on the Big Island of Hawaii? Make time to see the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It’s under an hour away and absolutely unbelievable!
Is Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden Worth Visiting?
This is a resounding yes! Even my husband (who is new to touring botanical gardens and trying to understand my obsession with them) was mesmerized by this place. He told everyone on the rest of our work-related trip that they had to see this garden.
If your idea of a botanical garden is manicured beds and formal borders, this garden will surprise you. Here, the plants seem to be winning and that’s exactly what makes it extraordinary.
Looking for more Hawaiian travel for garden lovers? Read Exploring the Lush Island of Hawaii.
