Orchid Display
Nani Mau Gardens
highlights a wide variety of "show orchids" including Paphiopedilum,
Phalaenopsis, Epiphytes, Oncidium and Cattleya orchids. The orchids striking
color and
shapes are complimented by the soothing waterfalls that traverse the orchid
display.
These beautiful blossoms can also be viewed throughout the garden so be sure to
"keep an eye out" for these tropical treasures.
Fruit Orchard
Nani Mau’s Fruit Orchard is a
pleasant and fun area for both adults and children. Those
who spend a little extra time in the fruit orchard are sure to spot, depending
on the season,
juicy flavorful Star Fruit, Mulberries, Lychees, Soursaps, Hawaiian
oranges which can be
picked and tasted. You can also find some important tropical plants for ancient
Hawaiians
in the fruit orchards such as Noni fruit, Kukui Nut tree (Hawaii State tree) and
Breadfruit.
One unique fruit featured in the orchard is the
Noni
fruit which was
and still is an important
medicinal plant utilized by
practitioners of traditional Hawaiian medicine. The green or yellow
Noni fruit
and
its stringent smell was thought to chase away aches and pains. In
modern
time
Noni has enjoyed a re-emergence in popularity as
many people utilize it to
reduce high blood
pressure, and alleviate
diabetes and heart trouble. Noni Juice
is now available in Nani Mau
gift shop and has become a popular item for
visitors to take back home.
Ginger Garden Passing
the Fruit Orchard and traversing further into the garden, visitors
enjoy a cornucopia of tropical flower gardens. Visitors can enjoy a
wide
variety of ginger
plants of different colors, shapes and fragrances in the Ginger garden.
Torch Ginger
Shell Ginger
Hibiscus Garden
The
hibiscus, the Hawaii state flower, comes in
a beautiful array of
shapes and
color. These colorful flowers are often
used as a natural fashion accessory
worn behind one's ear. In Polynesian custom a hibiscus flower worn over the right ear
indicates the wearer is single and looking for a mate where worn over the left
ear indicates
that one is "already taken". So be sure to wear the blossom
over
the proper ear so as to
send the "right" signal!
Anthurium Grove Anthurium
is one of the most glorious tropical
exotics in Hawaii and
is a prominent
blossom in the Big Island's bourgeoning flower export industry. Visitors will
find brilliant heart
shaped anthuriums in red, orange, pink and white growing
under the
90% shade provided by Hawaiian Hapuu tree ferns, the manner in
which
these flowers were
grown in by gone eras. The Hapuu ferns
create a truly
Hawaiian rain forest feel and a
spectacular
sight of themselves.
Palms & Coconut Trees
A wide variety of common and rare palms
can be seen throughout
the garden
creating the classically feeling of tropical paradise. Palms varieties such as
Ceiling Wax Palms, Royal palms, Manila Palms and Areca Palms have straight
trunks with
bursting crowns of fan shaped leaves are featured in the garden.
Palms are also a prominent
agricultural product of the Big Island that
are
exported largely for landscaping purposes.
Makalapua Lookout
Don’t forget
to stop at the Makalapua Lookout
to snap that
memorable
picture, for bird watching, or for just taking in the intoxicating beauty of
Nani Mau's spectacular
tropical landscape.
Bell Tower The
elegant Japanese style Bell Tower which was skillfully crafted from 20,000
boards without utilizing any nails or screws,
is one of only 3 towers built
utilizing this technique
in the world (The other two are located in Canada and France). The Bell Tower
stands
peacefully on a quiet knoll over looking a steam
that meanders through
a grove of Golden
Bamboo Grove.
Nani
Mau Inc.
