Stop and Smell the Flowers on Hawaii Island

An article about flower farms, flower markets, viewing flowers and the flower industry on the Big Island of Hawaii. See also Big Island Travel Guide and our guides Other Hawaiian Islands.

Flower Farms are big business on the Big Island of Hawaii and there are many opportunities for visitors to learn about the industry and smell the flowers.

Hawaii’s Big Island. The smell of a fresh plumeria lei. The stunning colors of a tropical bouquet. The delicate petals of an orchid. The flowers of Hawaii Island invoke memories of celebrations, of vacations, of specific moments in time. The memories come with a longing to see, touch, and smell the fragrances of the islands again. On Hawaii’s Big Island, the eyes can feast on fiery burst of color from flowers that grow in abundance and compete only with the fire of the volcano itself in ability to dazzle.

Visitors to the Big Island of Hawaii, also known as "The Orchid Isle," can tour an orchid farm, taste freshly grown tropical fruits and purchase exotic blooms from the growers themselves. To experience the blossoms of the Big Island first hand, the "Flowers of the Big Island" driving tour brochure produced by the Big Island Visitors Bureau is Recommended. With over one million agricultural acres, the drive can be as long or short as time allows, but the drive should always begin with a cup of steaming fresh Kona Coffee.

Gear up your day by visiting the Homestead Farmers Market, in paniolo country - Waimea Town. Surrounding the town are dozens of small farms yielding tomatoes, varieties of lettuces, ruby red strawberries and more. The generally cool mornings are particularly suited to the abundance of vegetables that are grown and offered at the open-air Farmer’s Market.

Head east out of Waimea on Highway 11 along the verdant green Hamakua Coastline. Three options among many possibilities for stops along the way are Hawaii Paradise Farms, the World Botanical Gardens (the largest botanical garden in the state, boasting 5,000 species), and the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (a unique tropical nature preserve and sanctuary). As you enter Hilo, you'll find a stroll through the Hilo Farmers Market to be a highlight of the day with fresh farm products ranging from ginger and papaya to locally grown anthurium and orchids. Not far outside of town is Orchids of Hawaii who will pack and ship your order for you. As your driving tour exits Hilo town toward Volcano, the Kea’au Village Market, open seven days each week, showcases products of many of the farmers, artisans and crafts people in the area. Nearby is Hawaii Orchids where a stop could net a rainbow of colorful blooming orchids for the perfect gift for someone special.

Next stop, Volcano Isle Tropicals, founded 25 years ago. This lush farm includes over an acre of just anthurium plus numerous other tropicals and offers onsite retail and tours of their flower and coffee-growing entities.

Another Farmers Market with a cacophony of product is the Volcano Farmers Market each Sunday in Volcano Village. From freshly baked pies to homemade guava jams and poha berry jellies to buckets overflowing with brilliant red anthurium and delicate orchid blossoms, this market is a pleasant stop mid-way around the island.

Big Island Flower Company, in the drier area of Ocean View capitalizes on the fertile volcanic soil of the region and grows the unusual protea. There are dozens of varieties of this vibrant, feathery flower that originated in Africa and has found itself well suited to the Big Island’s soil and climate. Big Island Flower Company offers shipping and onsite retail.

To witness much of the island’s finery your circle-island adventure should not end without a tour of the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden. This 12-acre site near the town of Captain Cook is landscaped to reflect the four vegetation zones used by Hawaiians; Coastal, Lowland Dry Forest, Food and Fiber Crops, and Upland Forest. The collection includes over 250 types of plants, many which are part of the repository of native Hawaiian and Polynesian-introduced plants maintained at the site.

From plumeria to orchids, anthurium to protea, heliconia to bamboo, the uses for the flowers and foliage of the islands are as endless as the varieties themselves. Exotic arrangements with colors ranging from rich crimson reds to sunset orange stand tall in main lobbies of luxury resort hotels. A vase of fresh anthurium with its hues of red, green and pink

Resource

Hawaii Tourism Authority / Big Island Visitors Bureau

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More Articles About the Big Island

Hawaii Island Travel Guide

All of the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii for Visitors

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