Gardens of Oahu and Kauai

From Shangri La
to Bali Hai
The Hawaiian Islands of
Oahu and Kauai
A Pacific Horticulture SocietyTour

Escorted by Jim Bishop, Member of the Board of
Directors, Pacific Horticulture Society; President
of the San Diego Horticultural Society
Tour Manager Cheryl Hedgpeth Nichols
November 9-17, 2012
To reserve online, click here

Join board member Jim Bishop on an exclusive Pacific Horticulture Society garden adventure to the Hawaiian islands of
Oahu and Kauai. Oahu, the Gathering Place, is home to world-famous Waikiki and an extraordinary collection of public
and private tropical gardens. Kauai, the Garden Island, has lush rain forests, emerald valleys, spectacular beaches and
Waimea – the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. We’ve arranged a special invitation to visit Doris Duke’s Shangri-la on Oahu,
a sunset tour of the Allerton Estate on Kauai and much, much more…….

Friday, November 9: HONOLULU. Aloha!   Morning departures for Honolulu, Hawaii. Transfer
independently to the Queen Kapiolani Hotel where we have Diamond Head view rooms for our
3 night stay. The property is located a block from Waikiki Beach and across the street from
Kapiolani Park and the zoo, with several restaurants and a swimming beach nearby. All rooms
have modern amenities and private balconies. Meet the other guests tonight for welcome
drinks and dinner at the hotel. Waikiki is compact and can be explored on foot. The magnificent
sand beaches were once home to Hawaiian royalty. Hikers can enjoy the views atop Diamond
Head. The International Market Place and Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center offer sophisticated
galleries, shops, restaurants and cultural sites.
Welcome Reception & Dinner

Saturday, November 10: HONOLULU. After a leisurely breakfast on the Diamond Head-view terrace, meet Josh and
Cheryl for a full day private excursion. Our first visit is to Shangri La. Doris Duke designed the property to combine her
love of Hawaii and fascination with Islamic Cultures. Gardens feature prominently in Islamic art and images of flowers
and trees are found throughout the estate in ceramic, rugs, and paintings. Windows and screens retract into walls
opening the rooms to sweeping views of the ocean and swaying palm trees. The exotic garden has traditional plantings
of citrus and cypress trees, 13th century tiles, a rill and saltwater pool. We continue to Fosters Botanical Garden. After a
brief orientation we will have free time to enjoy a picnic among the mature collection of tropical plants. Some of the
magnificent trees were planted in the 1850s   Later we travel the short distance to Lyon Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
This tropical rainforest is the ideal location for growing an enormous diversity of plants. The plant collection includes
heliconias, gingers, aroids, bromeliads, herb and spice garden, native Hawaiian plants, and one of the largest palm
collections found in a botanical garden. Breakfast/Lunch

Sunday, November 11: HONOLULU. Our first stop this morning is to the famous garden of
the late May Moir. Her lovely tropical garden is called Lipolani. May designed the garden for
privacy and for views of the dramatic mountain beyond. She developed a series of walled
gardens or courtyards and filled them with bromeliads, orchids and tropical foliage plants.
The garden continues to evolve and is now maintained by May’s granddaughter, Suzanne
Zola. Next, as guests of the Garden Club of Honolulu, we will visit 3 private gardens. The
properties include lush plantings with palms, cycads, ferns, bromeliads and exotic orchids
hanging from the trees. We will see a variety of architecture and have a chance to chat with
some of the owners. Along the way we will stop for a delicious lunch al fresco. Mid afternoon
we return to the Queen Kapiolani with time for a swim, walk, or independent sightseeing. Evening at leisure.
Breakfast/Lunch

Monday, November 12: HONOLULU/KAUAI After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for the short flight to Kauai. Arrival
transfer to ocean view rooms at the beautiful Sheraton Kauai Poipu Beach on the sunny side of the island. We will enjoy
a buffet lunch at the hotel. Then time to relax and enjoy the hotel’s amenities.
Around three we will be met by our guide, Juan, for a sunset tour of the
Allerton Beach Garden. The tropical garden is a masterpiece of landscape
design. We will stroll through outdoor “rooms” beside rippling pools and
dramatic sculpture. We will peek inside the fascinating home and see the
paintings, pictures, and memorabilia. The estate has hosted numerous
celebrities including Jacqueline Onassis. While we sip wine and sample
pupus on the oceanfront lawn under swaying palm trees, Juan will regale
us with stories about Robert Allerton’s fascinating life. Later we will sit on
the lanai under the shadow of towering statues while we await the beautiful
Lāwa‘i-kai sunset.   Breakfast/lunch/wine & heavy pupus.

Tuesday, November 13: POIPU. Today we visit Allerton’s specatacular Lawai valley estate garden. Once a retreat of
Hawaii’s Queen Emma, wife of King Kamehameha, the cliffs still cascade with her favorite deep-purple bougainvillea.
Our senses will be delighted with this beautiful garden which includes a river, palm trees, water features, sculpture, and
ancient Jurassic Park trees (Moreton Bay Figs). We’ll take in the sights and sounds of fascinating plants, vibrant flowers
and flowing water and discover why the garden was the setting for several movies. Made Wijaya, author of Tropical
Garden Design, said the garden “survives as a masterpiece of tropical design, unequalled for its subtle intertwining of
natural and manmade beauty.”   We will return to the hotel with free time for lunch. We may wish
to take a stroll to the Plantation Orchid Gardens across the lane.    Our day concludes with an
afternoon visit to Māhāʻulepū Beach, one of the most spectacular, pristine undeveloped coastal
areas in the Hawaiian Islands. We will see the ancient limestone Makauwahi sea-cave
restoration project where Dr. Burney’s archaeological excavations have revealed plants and
animals over 10,000 years old. The beautiful white sand beach has a river and palm trees, if we
are lucky we may see some Hawaiian Monk seals. Evening at leisure to sample the local
restaurants. Breakfast.

Wednesday, November 14: WAIMEA CANYON. Today we travel to spectacular Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand
Canyon of the Pacific. The huge canyon offers a rare view of the island with an abundance of endemic species of plants
and wildlife including Kauai’s native fern, the fragrant laua’e. There will be an opportunity to enjoy an optional hike
through magical native forest. Or we can choose to visit the Natural History Museum, which has topographical maps,
sketches of native plants and historical photographs. We will enjoy lunch in the park and have some free time for
exploring or to relax and enjoy the inspirational views.   Breakfast, Lunch

Thursday, November 15: WAILUA/HANALEI/KILAUEA. Our day begins
with a visit to the private Sacred Temple Gardens at the Hindu Monastery.
The gardens contain hundreds of blooming trees, exotic tropical flowers,
300 varieties of heliconia, ginger, plumeria and rare bamboo. A stream
meanders through the property, with ponds and waterfalls providing a
refuge for native birds. Later we head north to Hanalei, driving through a
green canopy with gorgeous scenery. We’ll pass open caves and
spectacular views of the sea. Our destination is the garden at Limahuli
where we will have a leisurely, self-guided tour. The excellent signage
explains which flora are indigenous to Kauai and which were introduced
and brought to the islands by canoe. Benches allow for contemplation
and views of the mammoth Makana Mountain in the background. We will
be treated to a traditional barbeque en route to our next stop, Na ‘Aina Kai Gardens. Our tour of this impeccably
maintained garden will include a walk and a ride on a motorized cart through the 240 acre botanical paradise. The rare
palette of flora, fauna, land, water, and climate includes stunning red hibiscus, ixora, heliconias, gingers, noni, and
ornamental bananas. There are chocolate, nutmeg and cinnamon trees, cardamom, ginger and vanilla vines. A lagoon
is home to iridescent koi, multicolored water lilies, and native Hawaiian shaggy barked fiddlewood trees with fragrant,
miniscule flowers. There is a stream and shadowy rainforest canopy sheltering, ferns, bamboo, and spongy mosses.
Exhibits show the original Hawaiians involved in traditional daily activities such as kapa-making, mat-weaving, canoe-
making, fishing, hunting, and planting. Breakfast, Lunch

Friday, November 16 KAUAI: This morning we will have an exclusive behind-the-scenes Hō’ike tour of both the McBryde
Garden and areas we have not seen in the Allerton Estate. We will explore a magnificent waterfall trail in the Lāwa‘i
Valley through the lush tropical paradise abundant with vibrant exotic plants. Juan
will show us an “intensive care unit” for endangered species with a rare tour of the
conservation and Horticulture Center. We will trace the plants from propagation to
their new home in the garden. Our tour concludes on the “Jungle Side” of the Allerton
Garden where we’ll see towering Moreton Bay fig trees that look almost primeval,
unusual palms and plants from the islands of Micronesia.   The afternoon is free to
enjoy the beach or for last minute shopping. Tonight we will have a very special
experience. We will visit the old historical Hawaiian town of Hanapepe for Art Night.
Formerly a place for native Hawaiian taro farmers, the unique, rustic town is now an
enclave for artists. On Friday nights the galleries are open, there are lively musicians, ethnic food vendors and charming
restaurants. Juan will host our farewell dinner in one of the restaurants.
Breakfast, Dinner

Saturday, November 17: DEPARTURE FROM LIHUE. After breakfast, we bid a fond Aloha to Kauai. A transfer will be
provided to the airport in time for flights departing 10:00AM or later.   Additional nights are available at the Sheraton upon
request. Breakfast

To reserve online, click HERE

TOUR LAND COST PER GUEST, $2995 based on double occupancy
Single supplement: $958.00
TRANSPACIFIC AIRFARE is not included.

THE PACKAGE INCLUDES:
8 night’s accommodations (additional nights available)
Airfare from Honolulu to Kauai on group flight.
All hotel taxes and service charges
8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, wine & pupus, 2 dinners
Deluxe private coaches and top drivers
All sightseeing and entrances as per the itinerary
Gifts for the private garden owners
Deluxe portfolio of documents
Escorted by Jim Bishop
Tour manager Cheryl Nichols
Donation of $150 to Pacific Horticulture
Limited to 20 guests

COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE:
Transpacific Airfare
Travel insurance
Airline-imposed checked baggage fees.

To reserve online, click HERE
Flight Information
Print Itinerary
Print Booking Form and Terms and Conditions

Sterling Tours, Ltd
2907 Shelter Island Drive Suite #105-262
San Diego, CA 92106      Tel: 619 299-3010
800-976-9497
CST2023849-40

Sterling tours, ltd