Hawaii: Big Island Flower Power
Finding Blossoms in Abundance on Largest Hawaiian Isle
Orchids, iris, carnations, protea as well as hundreds of wildflower species decorate the Big Island of Hawaii and make it one of the USA's best spots for flower lovers.
Travelers whose passion is flowers won’t be disappointed when the visit the Big Island of Hawaii.
Nine botanical gardens, dozens of flower shops and stands, thousands of commercial and residential gardens plus wildflowers guarantee floral views virtually everywhere.
Because of a great range in altitude (from below sea level to 13,796 feet), rainfall (from and average of 300 inches a year in the northeast to about six inches in the southwest), and climate, the Big Island has more varieties of flowering plants than any of the other islands.
As a result, gorgeous iris and carnations grow in the uplands around Kamuela. Lobelia flourish in the rainforests. Tropical plants thrive in Hilo. Morning glories and creeping 'ilima blossom on the beaches. And at various elevations up the slopes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, you'll find everything from native orchids to alpine flowers like penstemon.
Flower Shops
With all the flowers growing around them, you would think that Hawaii's residents wouldn't need flower shops. Not so. Flowers are such an integral part of Hawaiian life that no occasion is complete without them, so touring Big Island florist shops and watching the arrangements being created is also a must for flower fanciers. Since flowers and legends are so intertwined in the Hawaiian culture, these flower arrangements are often done with a story in mind. The legend or poem is written out and presented with the arrangement.
You'll discover that the personnel at Japanese-owned shops create their arrangments in strict accordance with traditions and taboos. For example, only white flowers are used in Japanese funeral pieces and roses are never used, since their thorns might make the path of the deceased difficult. Japanese floral designs for any occasion tend to be subdued.
Shops with a large native Hawaiian clientele, by contrast, produce bouquets and set pieces that are a riot of color -- just as in nature, where an orange flower will grow next to one that's pink. However, they, too, work within the framework of cultural traditions. Blossoms of some plants, for instance, are not to be used at certain times of the year or on certain occasions. The hala blossom can be interpreted as signifying duplicity, so a politician wearing a hala lei would be courting political disaster. And though tourists think the plumeria blossoms are lovely, they're associated with death by many Hawaiians.
Orchids and Protea
Orchids and protea are among the species of flowers most closely identified with the island. Although there are four native species of orchids, which grow in the wet rainforest, they have very small flowers and always easy to come upon. You can, however, easily find larger orchids and other exotic plants for which the islands are famous at nurseries.
Named after the Greek sea god, Proteus, who could change his shape at will, the protea was introduced to Hawaii in 1965. Since that time, the flower has created a whole new industry and now protea blossoms are shipped all over the world.
Some 1,400 varieties of the flowers, with names like Pink Ice, Flame Tip and Safari Sunset, range in color from reds, whites and yellows to pinks and purples. The blossoms may be only a few inches across or nearly a foot in diameter. They're ideal for bringing home since the flowers are tough and can go as long as four days without water. Protea, like orchids, are grown primarily in Hilo area nurseries.
