We are blessed with so many wonders on Kauai. One great place to learn more about the plants of the island are our National Tropical Botanical Gardens (we have two on our island).
This year, they are having a special open house just for Mother’s Day, so grab the kids, don’t forget mom & spend a glorious day in Po‘ipū among the plants & flowers.
Here’s more information about the event from the NTBG press release:
This Mother’s Day the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) invites moms and their families to an open house in McBryde Garden on Sunday, May 10 for a day of flowers, fun, music, and food. Entrance is free for mothers and children under five with a suggested donation of $10 for all others to support NTBG’s research, conservation, and education efforts.
The first shuttle to the garden will depart from the Southshore Visitors Center (across from Spouting Horn in Po‘ipū) beginning at 9 a.m. with shuttle buses regularly transporting visitors into the garden on a first-come, first-served basis. The last shuttle into the garden will depart the Southshore Visitors Center at 1:00 p.m. Shuttle buses will return to the Visitors Center from the garden regularly until the last bus out at 3 p.m.
For 27 years NTBG has hosted a Mother’s Day event to celebrate this special day. Last year Mother’s Day visitors were invited to a sneak peek of the Biodiversity Trail construction and this year will get to experience the completed trail which tells the story of 450 million years of plant evolution. Visitors are also invited to check out the giant “stick sculpture” by renowned environmental sculptor Patrick Dougherty featured in the McBryde Garden this year.
“We are so delighted to invite families into the McBryde Garden once again for our annual Mother’s Day Open House. Last year’s preview of the Biodiversity Trail was such an exciting time and we can’t wait for visitors to come back and experience the completed trail,” said Andy Jasper, Director of the Southshore Gardens. “It is an interactive trail which features rare plants, a mist tunnel, and a compelling story that adults and children of all ages will enjoy,” he continued.
Spend the day in the garden and shop for a beautiful orchid, Kaua‘i Made products, and handmade crafts by NTBG volunteers. Plants, crafts, and tasty OnoPops will be available in the garden from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with food trucks and live music offered from noon to 2:30 p.m.
Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring rain and sun protection, a water bottle, and insect repellant. Staff also encourage visitors to bring canned food items for donation to the Hawai‘i Food Bank-Kaua‘i Branch. Families are invited to bring a “picnic blanket” or mat so they can enjoy the festivities while relaxing in the garden (no coolers please).
For accessibility accommodations, call (808) 742-2433 at least 10 days in advance. NTBG’s Southshore Visitors Center is located at 4425 Lāwa‘i Road in Po‘ipū (across from Spouting Horn). For information, call (808) 742-2433 or visit calendar.ntbg.org.
National Tropical Botanical Garden is a not-for-profit, non-governmental institution with nearly 2,000 acres of gardens and preserves in Hawai‘i and Florida. Its mission is to enrich life through discovery, scientific research, conservation, and education by perpetuating the survival of plants, ecosystems, and cultural knowledge of tropical regions. NTBG is supported primarily through donations and grants.
