If you ever find yourself on the big island of Hawaii...you won’t want to miss the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, a stunning, magical tropical paradise my group almost didn’t see as we debated forking out the $30 entry fee. (I know we’re a bunch of cheapskates.) Admittedly we had already toured a lot of the island that day and beer and pizza were calling to us like sirens.

But this time we made the right choice, and I even purchased one of my favorite T-shirts in their gift shop. My impulsive decision to grab some pink ginger roots to plant when I got home, are now showing their beautiful green leaves, providing a living testimony to the beauty of the gardens.

I just want to stuff in a lot of photos for you, but I’m not sure how to do that on Substack, but here goes.

Located at 27-717 Mamalahoa Highway, Papaikou, Hawaii, the garden is a nonprofit living museum showcasing tropical plants from around the world, including orchids, heliconias, gingers, bromeliads, palms, and fruit trees. Visitors can explore winding trails, boardwalks, and scenic overlooks that descend into the lush Onomea Valley rainforest, culminating in views of Onomea Bay and natural waterfalls such as Onomea Falls and Boulder Creek.

The garden was founded by Dan and Pauline Lutkenhouse, who discovered the Onomea Valley in 1977, while on vacation to the Big Island of Hawaii. At the time, Dan was in the process of selling his California trucking business and retiring. He and his wife Pauline decided to buy the 17‑acre parcel for its seclusion and natural beauty.

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and without formal botanical training, Dan set out to clear and restore the valley by hand. Using simple hand tools like cane knives, sickles, picks, shovels, and a chainsaw, and avoiding heavy machinery to protect the environment, He was assisted by Terry Takiue. It took seven years to open paths, remove invasive species, and prepare the land for planting.

By 1984, after more than a decade of grueling work, the garden opened to the public. Dan and Pauline personally cultivated, collected, and planted over 2,500 tropical and subtropical plants, many from around the world, including rare species from places like Madagascar.

What to know when you go:

Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last admission at 4:00 PM Hawaii Guide.

Admission: $30 for adults, $22 for children ages 6-12, free for children under 6; discounts available for kama’aina, military, and college students

Trails: The main loop is about 1.25 miles and takes 1–2 hours to explore. Trails include paved paths, boardwalks, and some steep sections

Highlights: The orchid garden featrues over 270 species, tropical fruit trees, a three-tiered waterfall, and a 12-foot tiki statue of Kū carved from an 80-year-old monkeypod tree

Amenities: Free parking, visitor center with restrooms, gift shop, and picnic areas.

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I hope you enjoyed this little diversion from watching your stock market account tanking, and all the other travesties happening we have so little control over.