Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, Sculpture Park & Hardwood Plantation
4101 Wailapa Rd., Kilauea, (808) 828-0525. Tu-F. Guided tours $35+; special family tour, under 13 $20. Reservations advised.
Rambling over 240 acres, the beautifully scenic, well-groomed gardens of Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, Sculpture Park & Hardwood Plantation are reached by a back road through an upscale residential area. Formerly owned by Joyce and Ed Doty, who designed and developed them, the gardens are now operated by a non-profit foundation and continue to evolve. All tours are guided, and some include a tram ride.
About 70 whimsical bronze sculptures are strategically placed throughout--many with punny names and humorous stories—and, amazingly, everything was planted here from seed.
You’ll see exotic fruits, colorful orchids, tropical hardwood forests (including teak, which they said couldn’t grow here, but which Joyce Doty did grow using a recipe she found in an old seed catalogue), waterfalls, a hedge maze, large grassy expanses, a koi-filled lagoon with spouting fountains, a finely appointed tea house, and black lava rock fences.
The Children’s Garden holds holds plants kids enjoy and includes water features, a large treehouse in an even larger rubber tree, and a gecko-shaped maze.
If you’re lucky, as I was, you’ll see fluffy baby Laysan albatross in a restricted nesting area adjacent to the garden. Consider taking a morning tour or risk sweltering in the heat of the day.
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| Lagoon at Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens in Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii |
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| Tea for Two sculpture at Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens in Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii |
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| jackfruit at Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens in Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii |
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| blue jade at Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens in Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii |
The Children’s Garden holds holds plants kids enjoy and includes water features, a large treehouse in an even larger rubber tree, and a gecko-shaped maze.
If you’re lucky, as I was, you’ll see fluffy baby Laysan albatross in a restricted nesting area adjacent to the garden. Consider taking a morning tour or risk sweltering in the heat of the day.
More things to do in Kauai.
More information about Kauai.
More gardens around the world.
More ideas for exploring the U.S.
images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
More information about Kauai.
More gardens around the world.
More ideas for exploring the U.S.
images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
I am always in awe of people who design and tend such huge gardens - 240 acres is huge - so it makes me wonder how hey do it and how many people it takes to keep them looking good.
ReplyDeleteI gather LOTS of people and plenty of $$. It is now operated by a non-profit.
DeleteHi Carole - It has been so fun to follow along with your focus on our beloved North Shore of Kaua'i. So many visitors never venture farther than Kapa'a. This is an under the radar attraction with something to interest everyone.
ReplyDeleteVery cool that you got to see an albatross! Very interesting place.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely location to spend a few hours!
ReplyDeleteThe bronze sculptures look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI love visiting gardens and am always amazed by the creativity of the people who plan these out and can envision what they'll look like when the plants gain maturity. The Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens look so tranquil - a wonderful place to just enjoy the day!
ReplyDeleteWe discovered the Blue Jade this summer, what a freaky looking plant.
ReplyDelete