Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden: Founders Tribute

Thanksgiving is a perfect time to pay tribute to the founders of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. The history of this garden's creation begins with Daniel & Pauline Lutkenhouse.

Daniel & Pauline first visited Hawaii in 1977. They fell in love with 17 trash-filled, overgrown acres on Onomea Bay near Hilo & purchased it shortly afterwards. The couple moved to the Big Island the following year. Dan went to work in the gardens everyday, hand-clearing & planting the vast site. Eight years later it was opened to the public. The garden had three visitors that day. Dan & Pauline contined their devotion to the garden & purchased the neighbouring 30 acres on the bay. In 1994 the couple donated their beautiful garden to the world. Daniel Lutkenhouse is memorialized at the entrance to the garden that is now an educational & scientific trust. The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is now home to 2500 plants including one the world's largest Giant Red Lobster Claw Heliconia as well as many other rare & reknowned specimens. Today, the visitor count is more than 3 million & Pauline Lutkenhouse continues the legacy with her family. Thank you for the gift of this beautiful Garden on a Bay by the Ocean!

P.S. I took today's photos with a disposable camera I purchased on site. Ron had our camera at the volcanoes that day. Please visit the Photo Gallery for a bounty of pictures, most of which were kindly provided by the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden.

A huge Monstera or 'Split Leaf Philodendron' climbs a tree. It's taller than the house my Monstera plant lived in!

Red Heliconia