Looking to have fun on the Big Island ? Visit Botanical World Adventures located at the 16 mile marker north of Hilo. There is Zipline – Segway – Gardens – Waterfall – Maze and much more. Fun for everyone. www.bontanicalworld.com
Zipline at Botanical World Adventures
We passed through two villages, containing between three and four hundred inhabitants, and reached Kalahiti about four in the afternoon. At this place we observed many of the people with their hair either cut or shaved close on both sides of their heads, while it was left very long in the middle from the forehead to the back of the neck. When we inquired the reason of this, they informed us, that, according to the custom of their country, they had cut their hair, in the manner we perceived, on account of their chief who had been sick, and who they had heard was dead. The Sandwich islanders observe a number of singular ceremonies on the death of their kings and chiefs, and have been till very recently, accustomed to make these events occasions for the practice of almost every enormity and vice. The custom we noticed at this place is the most general. The people here had followed only one fashion in cutting their hair, but we have seen it polled in every imaginable form ; sometimes a small round place only is made bald just on the crown, which causes them to look like Romish priests; at other times the whole head is shaved or cropped close, except round the edge, where, for about half an inch in breadth, the hair hangs down its usual length. Some make their heads bald on one side, and leave the hair twelve or eighteen inches long on the other. Occasionally they cut out a patch, in the shape of a horse-shoe, either behind, or above the forehead ; and sometimes we have seen a number of curved furrows cut from ear to ear, or from the forehead to the neck. When a chief who had lost a relative or friend had his own hair cut after any particular pattern, his followers and dependants usually imitated it in cutting theirs. Not to cut or shave off the hair, indicates want of respect towards the deceased and the surviving friends, but to have it cut close in any form is enough. Each one usually follows his own taste, which produces the endless variety in which this ornamental appendage of the head is worn by the natives during a season of mourning. (Ellis)
Discover all of the history and lore of the Big Island at Botanical World…
(These are excerpts from a book by William Ellis that has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired.)
Hedychium gardnerianum.
This plant was brought to Hawaii as an ornamental plant, but has since become naturalized and is considered to be an invasive species. The inflorescence is quite attractive, but its beauty fades within a week. There is little or no fragrance to the flowers. The blooming season is mostly during the warm months, but an attractive display of bright red-orange aril-covered seeds occurs during the winter months, as maturing capsules in the old inflorescence split open to disperse the seeds within.
Experience all the beauty of Hawai’i at Botanical World…
Our Hale Mala Pua (Garden Home) is the perfect place for family and friends to gather or for a romantic getaway on the stunning Hamakua Coast. This spacious plantation house (2,200 square feet) is located just north of Hilo in the lush and tropical environment of World Botanical Gardens in Hakalau. With 2 Bedrooms, 2 1/2 Bathrooms, Gourmet Kitchen with enormous refrigerator/ freezer , Living Room & Covered Lanai with ocean views. Access to World Botanical Gardens included for all days of your stay. Fruit Orchard & plenty of outdoor space.
The home has 2 Master Suites, which is as perfect for a couple on a romantic trip, a family with kids or anybody just longing for privacy. Great for the couple wanting a wedding in the gardens with their honeymoon cottage awaiting on the property. This home is very clean and tastefully decorated. For your cooking pleasure the kitchen is fully stocked and open to the inside dining area so that you can prepare meals while you socialize.
The property is just across the street from the amazing World Botanical Gardens and the Botanical World Adventures where you will be welcomed by the staff and given special rates. Each week stay gets one free tour for one person (up to $167 value) – the longer your stay the more free tours! The rest of your guests will receive a discount on the tours. There are guided zip line, Segway and walking tours at the gardens for an array of fun just outside your front door. You will even come away with new understanding of the plants that envelope you.
Within minutes there are surf and swimming spots like Hakalau Veterans Beach Park to dip in the water or boogie board. Less than an hour drive in either direction the power of flowing lava at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, golfing, magical driving tours, Hilo farmer’s market, ATV tours and so much more! Or circle the whole island on a day trip.
Visit https://www.vrbo.com/771926 and Book your Stay now.
On our exquisite 2-hour walking tour, one of our horticultural experts will point out fascinating facts about the beautiful flowers and plants in our extensive botanical collection and answer questions about tropical plants.
Your horticultural guide will first lead you to a spectacular view of Kamaee Falls, proclaimed to be one of Hawaii’s most beautiful and pristine waterfalls. This location is a must stop for both novice and professional photographers alike.
From there, you will be taking an unhurried stroll through our tropical Rainforest Trail. Watch other guests zipping high in the forest canopy and listen as our experts explain the many and varied uses of tropical plants, allowing you to smell the flowers and taste some of the ripe fruit. Continuing down the trail, you will encounter a quiet, serene, natural spring-fed stream lined by many of Hawaii’s unique plants and trees.
At the halfway point of your tour, you have the option to add a delicious lunch. Prepared and served for our guests, this unique option must be reserved in advance. Everyone will be able to partake in dessert – a sampling of fresh fruit from our own gardens.
Following the fruit and refreshment break, the group will proceed to our final destination, the magnificent Rainbow Walk. This portion of the tour meanders along a paved walkway surrounded by thousands of tropical plants.
As we passed along this vaulted avenue, called by the natives Keanaee, we beheld a number of caverns and tunnels, from some of which streams of lava had flowed. The mouths of others being walled up with stones, we supposed were used as sepulchres. Mats, spread upon the slabs of lava, calabashes, &c. indicated some of them to be the habitations of men; others, near the openings, were used as workshops, where women were weaving mats, or beating cloth. Some, we also saw, used as storehouses, or depositories of sandal wood. In many places the water filtered through the lava, and, around the spots where it had dropped on the ground, we observed a quantity of fine white spear-shaped crystals of a sharp nitrous taste. Having walked a considerable distance along the covered way, and collected as many specimens of the lava as we could conveniently carry, we returned to the sea-shore. Mr. Harwood being indisposed, and unable to travel, and being myself but weak, we proceeded in the canoe to Kalahiti, where we landed about 2 P.M. and waited the arrival of our companions. The rest of the party travelled along the shore, by a path often tedious and difficult. The lava frequently presented a mural front, from sixty to a hundred feet high, in many places hanging over their heads, apparently every moment ready to fall; while beneath them the long rolling billows of the Pacific chased and foamed among the huge fragments of volcanic rocks, along which their road lay. In many places the lava had flowed in vast torrents over the top of the precipice into the sea. Broad flakes of it, or masses like stalactites, hung from the projecting edge in every direction. The attention was also attracted by a number of apertures in the face of the rocks, at different distances from their base, looking like so many glazed tunnels, from which streams of lava had gushed out and fallen into the ocean below, probably at the same time that it had rolled down in a horrid cataract from the lofty rocks above. (Ellis)
Discover all of the history and lore of the Big Island at Botanical World…
(These are excerpts from a book by William Ellis that has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired.)
Plumeria obtuse
Although this plant is from the West Indies and Central America, one can find it distributed throughout the tropics because of its beautiful, highly fragrant white, but yellow-centered flowers. Many a grave site has been planted with one of these.
After its introduction into Hawaii over a century ago, Lei makers quickly adopted the flower as a prime choice in lei making because of their durability and the fact that the flowers remain fragrant for several days after being picked.
The dark green, shiny leaves are usually rounded at their tip (obtuse), and remain on the plant throughout the winter months on the warm, sunny leeward side of the Island, but most of them fall off the plant on the cooler, cloudier windward side.
Foliar fungal diseases are also more problematic on the windward, wetter side of the Island. Plants are easily started from stem cuttings, but it is necessary to allow the cut ends to stay dry for at least a week before sticking the cutting into a very well-drained rooting mix. Locally, volcanic cinders are used as a rooting medium. The plant contains a white sap (latex), which is reported to be mildly toxic if ingested.
Experience all the beauty of Hawai’i at Botanical World…
There are a number of Saints called Valentine who are honored on February 14. The day became associated with romantic love in the Middle Ages in England. Traditionally, lovers exchanged hand written notes. Commercial cards became available in the mid nineteenth century. Valentine’s cards are often decorated with images of hearts, red roses or Cupid. Common Valentine’s Day gifts are flowers chocolates, candy, lingerie and champagne or sparkling wine. However, some people use the occasion to present lavish gifts, such as jewelry.
The most common Valentine’s Day symbols are the heart, particularly in reds and pinks, and pictures or models of Cupid. Cupid is usually portrayed as a small winged figure with a bow and arrow. In mythology, he uses his arrow to strike the hearts of people. People who have fallen in love are sometimes said to be ‘struck by Cupid’s arrow. People who would like to have a romantic relationship with somebody may use the occasion to make this known, often anonymously. Many restaurants and hotels have special offers at this time. These can include romantic meals or weekend breaks.
Valentine’s Day is not a public holiday. Government offices, stores, schools and other organizations are open as usual. Valentine’s Day is also a very popular date for weddings.
Experience Your Holiday fun at Botanical World…
Start Life’s Greatest Adventure… with us…at Botanical World.
Botanical World Adventures 