Tropical Botanical Garden, Big Island

The Island of Hawaii has a couple of nicknames. It’s often referred to as the Big Island because it is the largest Hawaiian island. But it is also known as the Orchid Isle because of the commercial orchid industry that took hold of Hawaii in the 1940s.

Every year more than a hundred thousand plants are exported from Hawaii and many of those are orchids. Ironically there are only three types of orchids native to Hawaii and they aren’t the silky pink and white ones like you’d think. They are ground growing orchids with very small flowers. Outside of a serious orchid collector not many people would buy them in a shop. They are rare and hard to spot, but two of these varieties can be found on the Big Island in Volcanoes National Park.

Don’t start worrying. The Big Island is still one of the best places in the world to see orchids. Besides the many varieties growing in public places like the Hilo Airport you can find many orchid farms around the island where you can see species from Asia, Africa, and America all growing under the same roof. There are also three varieties of Asian orchids that have naturalized to the island and grow in the wild. You can find them in many areas including the Kopua Farmlots and Hawaiian Acres.

Orchid Garden Near Hilo

If you are interested in the history of orchids you may want to tour the W. H. Shipman House in Hilo. Herbert Shipman is believed to have brought the first orchids to the Big Island and there is a cutting of the original orchid, a fragrant vanda, on the property.

During the summer there are three large orchid shows on the Big Island. In May you can wander around viewing world class orchid displays at the Kona Orchid Club Show and Sale. The Daifukuji Orchid Club Show and Sale, also in Kona, happens in July. They offer complimentary orchid corsages at the door. August brings the Hilo Orchid Society Annual Show and Sale to the Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium.  Besides horticulture demonstrations you can also purchase many different varieties of orchids.