With a climate unlike the rest of the United States, Hawaii is home to some of the country’s most unique botanical gardens. These gardens feature thousands of species of tropical plants as well as flora indigenous to our beautiful islands, and while they are all gorgeous in their own way, none are quite as unique as the gem we’re sharing with you today. This 240-acre non-profit botanical garden doubles as a sculpture park and event venue and is also home to a gorgeous lagoon sure to make you swoon.
Nestled on Kauai’s northern shore in Kilauea, the Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Garden and Sculpture Park is an often overlooked gem.
Na ‘Aina Kai/Website Here, you will discover a diverse population of both indigenous flora and non-native plants from across the world as well as a few other surprises.
Though Na ‘Aina Kai was established in 1982 by Joyce and Ed Doty in 1982, it wasn’t until 1999 that it became a non-profit organization and opened to the public.
Na ‘Aina Kai/Website What started as a landscaping project in a front yard has grown into a diverse group of gardens sprawled across 240 acres.
Today, Na ‘Aina Kai contains thirteen unique gardens, a hardwood plantation, a tranquil meadow, a fern-draped canyon, and pristine beach.
Na ‘Aina Kai/Website
One of our favorite gardens is this international desert oasis full of cacti, succulents, aloe, agave, baobabs, and other desert plants.
Na ‘Aina Kai/Website Other highlights include a poinciana maze, which features a hedge of mock-orange plants with topiary and sculptures surrounded by a lava rock wall, a wild forest garden cacao, cinnamon, banana, vanilla and ginger trees, and even a children’s garden where you will find a wading pool, treehouse, train, log cabins, bridges, tunnels, and slides.
But that’s not even the best part. In the center of it all, you’ll discover a jaw-dropping man-made lagoon that measures in at more than 100 acres surrounded by swaying palm trees and lush, emerald green gardens packed with picturesque plants.
Na ‘Aina Kai/Website
Na ‘Aina Kai/Website
And if gorgeous gardens and a lush lagoon full of koi fish isn’t enough, there are more than 200 bronze sculptures hidden throughout the estate.
Na ‘Aina Kai/Website These life-size statues are quite striking, and you’ll want to try to count how many you find during your visit!
Situated on coastal land once used to farm sugarcane, Na ‘Aina Kai showcases an Eden-like world full of colorful plants, charming little gazebos, fantastic fountains, lovely lagoons, fish-filled ponds, cascading waterfalls.
Na ‘Aina Kai/Website This is one natural attraction you won’t want to miss.
Whether you are searching for some peace and quiet or simply like surrounding yourself with natural beauty as often as possible, Na ‘Aina Kai is well worth a visit.
Na ‘Aina Kai/Website The botanical garden is open for tours Tuesday through Friday.
Address: 4101 Wailapa Road, Kilauea, HI 96754
Na ‘Aina Kai/Website
Here, you will discover a diverse population of both indigenous flora and non-native plants from across the world as well as a few other surprises.
What started as a landscaping project in a front yard has grown into a diverse group of gardens sprawled across 240 acres.
Other highlights include a poinciana maze, which features a hedge of mock-orange plants with topiary and sculptures surrounded by a lava rock wall, a wild forest garden cacao, cinnamon, banana, vanilla and ginger trees, and even a children’s garden where you will find a wading pool, treehouse, train, log cabins, bridges, tunnels, and slides.
These life-size statues are quite striking, and you’ll want to try to count how many you find during your visit!
This is one natural attraction you won’t want to miss.
The botanical garden is open for tours Tuesday through Friday.
The Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Garden and Sculpture Park is open Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are closed Saturday and Sunday. This botanical garden is not open for self-guided tours, but you can make a reservation by calling 808.828.0525. For more information, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.
Click here to learn about another little-known natural oasis hiding in Hawaii.
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