This was an educational experience, with a wide variety of plants presented. Some were in the sites that would have been typical of the way the early polynesians would have grown them. The plants were both natives and plants brought by the early settlers, some of which are rare or extinct in the wild . There are a variety of... More

Our guide knew his stuff, explaining in detail and with enthusiasm the plants, their history, uses, etc., sometimes in amusing ways. Although usually I am not particularly interested in plants, this was interesting and well worth my time.

The gardens were overgrown, dead leaves on the ground everywhere, the whole place looked like it hadn't been raked, cleared (or even visited) in weeks. Very little in bloom during our mid-March visit. Other than us, it was (understandably) deserted, despite it being a weekend and there being an extremely well attended (and wonderful) farmer's market in their parking lot.... More

This great little garden is a low priced way to stroll a Hawaiian hillside and see plants in their zones.

As frequent Big Island visitors, with an interest in ethnobotany and horticultural anthropology, we've been to the Amy Greenwell garden a couple of times. If you have any interest in plants and how the cultivation of plants impact society, you'll enjoy it too. Great docents who are always willing to answer our questions. I recommend wearing insect repellant. You can... More

The Grow Hawaii Festival at the Amy Greenwell Garden was a fabulous experience. So many presentations and so much to learn. I especially enjoyed the opening and the morning 'Ethnobotany and Cultural Treasures' garden tour by Bobby Camara. For all locals and visitors this was a special event and I look forward to it again next year! An extension of... More

If you are interested in Hawaiian culture and/or plants, you'll find this an excellent stop. We only had a half-hour there because it was at the end of the day, but we enjoyed all the information about the plants that were used in numerous ways by Hawaiians. It's not one of those super-cultivated unreal gardens but instead gives you a... More

This is a well-organized garden of plants used by the original islanders and will be very interesting to anyone who is curious about indigenous cultures (anthropology major here). Some of the plants are certainly beautiful, but know that this is more about how plants were used, where they came from and their present status than it is about a beautifully... More

You'll not find lush tropical plantings here, but still worth a visit if you are interested in seeing plants that have specific uses. They offer wonderful classes to teach about plants and how they are used.