Hawai’i Island Is the Orchid Isle

By Denise Laitinen

There was a time when fields of orchids covered wide swaths of East Hawai‘i, especially Kapoho in lower Puna. So popular were orchid flowers from Hawai‘i Island in the 1950s and 1960s that they were shipped to the mainland by the planeload. At one time there was even an Orchidarium in Hilo, a town known as the “Orchid Capital of the World.” Even now you can find the purple and white orchid bamboosa, commonly called bamboo orchid, growing wild along the side of the road in certain areas. So it’s no surprise that Hawai‘i Island is nicknamed the “Orchid Isle.”

With both warm and cool climates, ample sunshine, and abundant humidity, “the environment on the east side is ideal for growing orchids,” says Elton Mow, owner of Orchid Plantation Inc. and vice president of the Orchid Growers of Hawai‘i, a nonprofit association comprised mostly of Hawai‘i Island orchid farmers.

There are varying accounts of how orchids were brought to Hawai‘i Island, and when. Some say Hilo resident Lester Bryan first brought orchid cuttings to the island after he returned from a trip to Singapore in the early 1920s. What is known is that by the late 1930s there were enough orchid enthusiasts in Hilo that the Hilo Orchid Society was formed. “By the 1940s and 1950s the Big Island was known for having a lot of orchid growers and hybridizers,” says Eric Tanouye, president of the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association and president of Green Point Nurseries.

One species of orchid was particularly popular after World War II, a hybrid of the Vanda Miss Joaquim. Originally from Singapore, where it is the national flower, the bright purple orchid flourished in Hawai‘i’s climate, especially in Kapoho.

“A lot of the early vandas were grown in Kapoho because of the area’s climate,” says Eric. “The geographic location of Kapoho with its weather patterns was really unique, and the majority of the state’s supply of cut orchids came from Kapoho,” adds Eric’s son Jon Tanouye, president of Orchid Growers of Hawai‘i.

In the 1950s and 1960s vanda orchids grew prolifically in Hilo and lower Puna and there was tremendous interest in Hawai‘i Island orchids. Visiting military personnel sent flowers home to their families. Tourists arriving by ship and airplane were given lei featuring vanda orchids. Corsages made with vanda orchids were shipped by the ton to the mainland.

Such was the popularity of orchids that in 1967 the Hilo Orchid Society created an Orchidarium on Manono Street in Hilo as a year-round showcase of orchids for visitors and orchid enthusiasts alike. The opening of the Orchidarium was timed to coincide with the inaugural direct flights from the west coast to Hilo. Sadly, over time the Orchidarium has been lost to history. Other orchid gardens have carried on the tradition. Akatsuka’s Orchids Gardens in Volcano opened in 1974. The greenhouse nursery features an 8,000 square foot “orchid maze” in its showroom where visitors can enjoy viewing and learning about orchids for free.

Over the decades people have remained fascinated by these beautiful plants.

“Orchids have always been a plant that represented prestige, success, and beauty,” explains Eric. “Our culture has always looked at orchids as a valued gift. If you received an orchid you knew the giver had spent a lot of money giving you a special, expensive gift.”

Types of Orchids

In recent decades it’s become very affordable to buy and grow your own orchids. The types of orchids found on Hawai‘i Island are as varied as the island’s climates. Among the more well known orchid varieties include dendrobiums, cattleyas, cymbidiums, phalaenopsis, oncidiums, and paphiopedilum. Some orchid greenhouses tend to carry an array of orchid types, while others only focus on specific varieties.

“The Big Island has many different climates so people can grow a lot of different kinds of orchids,” explains Eric. “You need to know what orchid grows best at what elevation. Dendrobium and vanda are lower elevation orchids while cymbidiums, paphiopedilum, and phalaenopsis are better suited for higher elevations, such as Waimea and Volcano. Other orchid species, such as oncidiums and cattaleya can also grow in medium elevations.

“It’s not that hard to grow orchids,” says Eric, “if you have a good mentor teaching you or have an experienced grower showing you. The biggest mistake people make is over watering.” “You can grow a lot of orchids just by tying them to a tree and watering them,” adds Elton.

There are three Hawai‘i Island orchid societies where people can learn how to care for orchids (see sidebar). Some orchid growers, like Jennifer Snyder of Orchidpeople of Hawaii in Waimea, hold workshops several times a year at their greenhouses to educate people of all ages about orchids.

“It’s really about sharing what we love and you hope someone out there gets inspired. That’s how the kids get interested,” says Jennifer.

Big Business

Orchids remain an important part of the island and state’s agricultural economy. In fact, cut and potted orchids are a $14 million crop statewide, according to the US Department of Agriculture 2017 Annual Summary of Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Products report. Potted dendrobium orchid plants ranked number 14 of the top 20 commodities in the state, with sales valued at $4.6 million statewide as of 2017 (the last year for which data is available).

Impacted by Lava

When lava started erupting in Leilani Estates and flowing towards the ocean in the spring of 2018, it had a tremendous impact on Hawai‘i’s floriculture industry, not just locally, but statewide. Within a matter of days in early June, 10 orchid farms were destroyed when a river of lava buried large swaths of Kapoho.

“Kapoho was one of the best areas to grow orchids, especially cut orchids, in the state,” says Jon. He explains that “a lot of the floriculture farmers and related companies work together, so even if a floral commodity company was not inundated by lava, they were still impacted by it.”

“A large percentage of the state’s orchid growers were wiped out by the lava,” says Elton.

Before the lava eruption, Elton was one of the largest orchid growers on the island, with a 12-acre nursery in Kapoho where his family had been growing orchids for more than 26 years.

“At least 50% of the cut orchid industry state-wide was impacted by the lava flow,” adds Jon. “Kapoho was very unique. It will be hard to find that perfect climate elsewhere.”

Elton was fortunate that he also had a half-acre property in Kea‘au and is replanting on a much smaller scale. Unfortunately, orchids are slow-growing plants and he’ll have to wait two to three years for the orchids to grow.

Others weren’t so lucky. “Some farmers are completely wiped out and retiring,” explains Elton. “Some are trying to get back and figure out a plan. It’s a whole mixed bag. It’s a long road ahead.”

As they work to rebuild their nurseries and plants, orchid growers like Elton hope that orchid enthusiasts keep enjoying the vibrant plants and supporting local growers. People should not be afraid to grow orchids he says. “The plants are very long lasting. People can just enjoy the plant’s beauty and it will help the growers as well.” ❖

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Resources:

Orchid Growers of Hawai‘i

Orchid Growers of Hawai‘i is a nonprofit service organization comprised of professional potted and cut flower orchid growers in the state of Hawai‘i. Their website has an extensive member directory featuring orchid farms and potted orchid businesses around Hawai‘i Island. orchidgrowersofhawaii.org

Orchid Societies on Hawai‘i Island:

For those wanting to learn more about growing and caring for orchids, there are three orchid societies on Hawai‘i Island. Each orchid society holds monthly meetings for orchid enthusiasts during which featured speakers give tips and advice on caring for orchids. All three groups also hold their own respective annual orchid show.

The Hilo Orchid Society website has detailed information on different varieties of orchids and their care, as well as an orchid species encyclopedia resource.

Hilo Orchid Society
Founded: 1938
Monthly meeting: second Saturday of the month, 2pm to 4pm
Kamana Senior Center, 127 Kamana Street, Hilo
Annual show: 67th Annual Hilo Orchid Society Show and Sale, June 28–30, 2019, Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium
For more information: hiloorchidsociety.org

Kona Orchid Society
Founded: 1985
Monthly meeting: first Friday of the month, 6pm
Makua Lani Academy Bridge House Building, 74-4966 Kealakaa Street, Kailua-Kona
Annual Show: Annual Orchid Show and Sale, May 10–11, 2019, Maka‘eo pavilion at Konaʻs Old Airport Park
For more information: konaorchidsociety.org

Kona Daifukuji Orchid Club
Founded: 1981
Monthly Meeting: second Wednesday of the month, 6:30pm
Daifukuji Soto Mission Hall, 79-7241 Mamalahoa Highway, Honalo
Annual Show: 37th Annual Orchid Show and Sale, July 28 2019, Daikufuji Soto Mission Hall (Hwy. 11 at mile marker 114, just north of Kainaliu)
For more information: facebook.com/pg/orchidsinparadise

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Orchid related articles in Ke Ola Magazine:

“A Home Built Around Orchids”
September/October 2012 issue
keolamagazine.com/home/a-home-built-around-orchids/

“There’s Help for Orchid Brown Thumbs”
(Hilo Orchid Society)
May/June 2012 issue
keolamagazine.com/people/theres-help-for-orchid-brown-thumbs/

“Kona Orchid Society”
May/June 2013 issue
keolamagazine.com/plants/kona-orchid-society/

“Love of Orchids Forges Perennial Friendships”
(Kona Daifukuji Orchid Club)
June/July 2009 issue
keolamagazine.com/garden/orchids-forge-friendships/