Oahu
In mid-December 2021, we took a brief trip to Oahu, aiming to avoid potential travel restrictions as the Omicron COVID variant began to spread more widely. Initially, we intended to visit Costa Rica, but complications with canceled flights and international travel issues led us to alter our plans. Instead, we traveled with a small group of friends to Oahu, where we spent 5 nights at the east end of Kapiolani Beach, just east of Waikiki.
Many visitors tend to bypass Oahu in favor of other Hawaiian islands. However, Oahu is often more accessible from San Diego and offers many of the same attractions.
On the first day of our trip, Scott and I ventured out on our own to explore gardens and go hiking.
Koko Crater Botanical Garden
As the name implies, the garden is situated in an ancient volcanic crater on Oahu’s eastern side. It is free to enter. The cactus garden was established by Charles M. Wills and features plants from various dry tropical regions around the globe, but it is particularly renowned for its collection of succulents and cacti. We mostly had the garden to ourselves.
Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
Our next stop was the 400 acre Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden on the eastern, windward side of Oahu. It is large drive-through park with stops to see plants from various locations around the world. It backs up against some impressive eroded volcanic cliffs.
This variegated Crinum asiaticum really caught my eye.
The red trunks of these Cyrtostachys renda, sealing wax palms, stood out against the deep greens of the jungle.
The stunning foliage of Cordyline fruticosa, Ti plant, is made even better when in bloom.
Manoa Falls
Our final stop of the day was the trail to Manoa Falls. It is located just above a suburb of Honolulu. You follow a trail through a dense forest of mostly non-Hawaiian plants to a view of the 150 tall falls.
Much of the forest is being swallowed by Thunbergia grandiflora.
Cactus Garden at Kapi’olani Community College
During our visit, we strolled around Diamond Head and hiked to the summit. Near the entrance to the road leading into the crater, there’s a garden showcasing some of the finest examples of cacti, agaves, and euphorbias. I’ve been there twice before and always eagerly anticipate visiting it. Many succulent plants struggle with even the slight cold and rain we occasionally experience in a San Diego winter, so it’s wonderful to see these specimens thriving in the well-drained lava soil.
A nice stand of Pachypodium lamerei with swollen bases. I grow this plant in my garden, but they aren’t nearly as fat…yet.
Interesting thorn patterns on the trunk of Alluaudia procera, or Madagascar ocotillo, This plant is easy to grow in frost free locations in San Diego.
Another species of Alluaudia with an interesting leaf pattern, perhaps humbertii.
Looking all the world like a giant caudiciform Euphorbia, this plant is actually in the passion fruit family, Adenia globosa.
I have a much smaller version of this Madagascarian Euphorbia stenoclada in my garden. It is fast growing and like a giant coil of barbwire.
I also have a much, much smaller version of this crassilated form of Euphorbia lactea. A friend gave me a cutting of it last summer. It rooted quickly and grew over 6 inches taller this year.
I’ve had this plant for several years. I’ve only been successful growing it in full sun under the eaves in front of the house. Even so, it hates being wet and cold in the winter and usually suffers from some cold damage in the warmest winter spot I have. It also has grown quite quickly and been repotted 3 times, receives a heavy annual trim and was due again for one soon. However, it blew over in the mid-December wind storm and had to be trimmed to be able to upright it. Somehow it landed without breaking any pots, but it did smash an agave.
Miscellaneous Photos on Oahu
Plumeria pudica
Most plumerias are dormant and out of bloom at this time of year in Hawaii. However, Plumeria pudica, with its wide spoon-ended leaves and white flowers was in bloom in many places on the island. Unfortunately, it has no fragrance.
Another plant commonly found on the island is Hibiscus tiliaceus, also known as the Hau Tree. The Hau Tree restaurant, located in our hotel, serves the best Avocado toast in the world, but that’s another story. This small tree, which has yellow flowers, often grows along beaches or in waterways. It is prevalent throughout the South Pacific islands, though it is unclear if it is native or was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by the Polynesians.
The flowers bloom for only one day. In the 1960s, my grandparents had two of these trees in their backyard in Florida. My grandfather used a stick with a spike on the end to pick up the fallen leaves and blossoms daily.
The Byodo-in Buddhist temple is a 1968 recreation of the Osaka temple set against the volcanic cliffs in Kahaluu and backed by a large stand of Cook pines, Araucaria columnaris. Wherever grown the tree is known for leaning towards the equator. However, Hawaii being in the tropics, the lean is barely noticeable, unlike the trees in Southern California.
