Native Tree
1 / 10

Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden

4.5
·80 reviews·Captain Cook, United States

A serene botanical sanctuary showcasing Hawaii's native plants and rich ethnobotanical heritage, fostering community and cultural learning.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Saturday mornings

Volunteer work parties

CrowdLow
Loading map...
Native Tree

Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden

Best Time

Saturday mornings

Volunteer work parties

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A serene botanical sanctuary showcasing Hawaii's native plants and rich ethnobotanical heritage, fostering community and cultural learning.

4.5
(80 reviews)

"Such a beautiful and peaceful garden to visit. Amazing. Magical. Great place to buy incredible artwork."

Vertical photo
TIP

Bring Cash for Donations

Entry is free, but donations are vital. Have cash handy or use your smartphone for online giving. :moneybag:

Navigate Parking Wisely

Avoid private drives; turn left at Arthur L. Greenwell Park for designated parking. 🚗

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.5 · 80 reviews

Type

Botanical Garden

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Native Hawaiian Plant Collection

Native Hawaiian Plant Collection

Throughout the garden

Wander through diverse ecosystems showcasing plants vital to Hawaiian culture and history. Aina connection is palpable.

Reddit
Cultural Workshops & Events

Cultural Workshops & Events

Event spaces

Experience hands-on learning of traditional Hawaiian crafts and their significance. Pure magic!

InstagramReddit
Insect House with Butterflies

Insect House with Butterflies

Insect House

A delightful spot to observe local butterflies and other native insects in a controlled environment.

Instagram
Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Timing Your Visit for Tranquility

While the garden is open on Sundays, consider visiting on a Saturday morning for volunteer work parties to experience a more engaged community atmosphere. Check for special events like the Grow Hawaiian Festival for a vibrant cultural immersion. Instagram+1

Donations & Getting There

Entry is free, but donations are highly encouraged to support the garden's upkeep. If using Google Maps, be aware it might direct you to a private drive. Instead, turn left at Arthur L. Greenwell Park and look for parking in the grass field or street parking. Reddit

Best Times

When
Saturday mornings
Why
Volunteer work parties
Crowd
Low
When
Sunday 9 AM - 2 PM
Why
Public visiting hours
Crowd
Medium
When
During festivals
Why
Vibrant cultural events
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

#decolonizeindigenousmedicine #ethnobotany #herbalism #herbalist #thesiouxchef #braidingsweetgrass #iwígara #indigenousmedicine
@sticks.and.stones.co
25.5K likes • 94.6K views

Bring Cash for Donations

Entry is free, but donations are vital. Have cash handy or use your smartphone for online giving. Reddit :moneybag:

Navigate Parking Wisely

Avoid private drives; turn left at Arthur L. Greenwell Park for designated parking. Reddit 🚗

What’s better than a picnic in paradise with a giant salad from Cultivate?✨ The Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, located just behind the Pure Kona Green Markets, includes a variety of Hawaiian plants, beautiful paths and informational signs. If you’re lucky you’ll see butterflies and chickens!🦋🐓 #hawaii#bigislandvegan#bigislandhawaii#veganaloha#hawaiivegan#cultivategoodfood#smallbusines...
cultivategoodfood
54 likes • 792 views
Join host Zach Parker in this episode of Culture Corner as we explore the 14th Annual Grow Hawaiian Festival at the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook. Celebrate Hawaii's rich cultural traditions with a day of native plants, Hawaiian crafts, music, and hands-on workshops. Meet local artisans, cultural practitioners, and conservation experts working to preserve Hawaii's natura...
naleotv
21 likes • 393 views

Explore the 'Ulu Tree

Sign up for a FREE 'ulu tree on specific dates! Check registration links. Instagram :evergreen_tree:

Connect with the Aina

Feel at home and connected to the land and plants. Consider volunteering! Reddit ❤️

Sign up for a FREE ʻulu tree to be picked up on Saturday November 2, 2024 9am-2pm at the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook, Kona. (registration link in bio) Join us for a fun filled day of agroforestry education, AGG plant sale, keiki activities, music, food trucks and ʻulu cooking demonstration with @chefsamchoy! Partner exhibits include: Conservation Dogs of Hawaiʻi, CTAH...
soap_hawaii
6 likes • 178 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Bring Cash for Donations

Entry is free, but donations are vital. Have cash handy or use your smartphone for online giving. Reddit :moneybag:

Navigate Parking Wisely

Avoid private drives; turn left at Arthur L. Greenwell Park for designated parking. Reddit 🚗

Explore the 'Ulu Tree

Sign up for a FREE 'ulu tree on specific dates! Check registration links. Instagram :evergreen_tree:

Connect with the Aina

Feel at home and connected to the land and plants. Consider volunteering! Reddit ❤️

Visit the Farmer's Market

Adjacent to the Sunday market, enjoy food, crafts, and art after your garden visit. Reddit :shopping_bags:

What Travellers Say

4.5
(80 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden for its peaceful, magical atmosphere and the educational value of its native plant collection. Many highlight the enriching cultural workshops and the strong sense of community. While entry is free, donations are appreciated, and parking requires a bit of local knowledge. Reddit

"Such a beautiful and peaceful garden to visit. Amazing. Magical. Great place to buy incredible artwork. I purchased a beautiful painting by Leila Atkin. So grateful for this experience to Lou and Rosalie."

Anjelika Layco

"It’s a wonderful garden: lush and green, well maintained. You can learn a lot about plants and their use. What I appreciate the most is the cultural workshops bringing the community together by teaching traditional Hawaiian crafts and their meaning. I attended the Kahili workshop, and it was pure magic. Mahalo!"

Olga Alvord

"I really enjoyed my walk through the garden and seeing plants so meaningful to Hawaii. Easy stroll with option of going up a steep, grassy hill to see a forested area (I chose not to go up there). Bring cash for a donation or use your smartphone to make an online donation."

Jan Laman

What People Like

Beautiful and peaceful garden
Educational plant collection
Engaging cultural workshops

What People Dislike

Parking navigation can be tricky

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

While Google Maps might suggest a private drive, it's best to turn left at Arthur L. Greenwell Park (near the Manago Hotel) and look for parking in the grass field or street parking. Reddit

Yes, there is parking available in a grass field up the street from Arthur L. Greenwell Park, as well as street parking. Reddit

From Kailua-Kona, continue south on Hawaii Belt Road and take the next left turn at Arthur L. Greenwell Park. Reddit

Information on public transportation routes is limited, but it's advisable to check local bus schedules for Captain Cook. Driving is the most common method. Reddit

The garden offers easy strolls, but there's an option to go up a steep, grassy hill. Visitors with mobility concerns may want to stick to the main paths. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Entry to the garden is free. However, donations are highly encouraged to support its maintenance and programs. Reddit

The garden is currently open to the public on Sundays from 9 AM to 2 PM. They also host Saturday morning work parties for those interested in volunteering. Reddit

Yes, you can make an online donation using your smartphone. An informational map with a web link for donations is available upon entry. Reddit

No advance booking is required for general entry. Simply visit during their open hours. Reddit

Yes, the garden hosts events like the Annual Grow Hawaiian Festival and offers workshops such as Kahili making. Keep an eye on their announcements for dates. InstagramReddit

🎫 🌿 Onsite Experience

The garden features a diverse collection of native Hawaiian plants, spread out by ecosystem and habitat, showcasing their cultural and historical significance. Reddit

Yes, there are often keiki (children's) activities during special events, and the insect house with butterflies can be a hit. Instagram+1

Photography is generally welcome. Capture the lush greenery and unique plants, but be mindful of other visitors and any specific garden guidelines. Instagram

While not explicitly mentioned, the informational map provides details about the garden's family and history, allowing for self-guided exploration. Reddit

The garden sometimes offers free 'ulu (breadfruit) trees for pickup on specific dates, often accompanied by agroforestry education and cooking demonstrations. Instagram

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

While the garden itself may not have a cafe, it's adjacent to the Sunday Farmer's Market which offers great food trucks and local delicacies. Reddit

Picnics are possible, especially if you purchase items from the adjacent farmer's market. Enjoying a salad from Cultivate in paradise is a recommended experience. Instagram

Yes, special events sometimes include 'ulu cooking demonstrations with local chefs. Instagram

The market typically features a variety of food trucks, local crafts, and art, offering a diverse culinary experience. Reddit

The adjacent farmer's market is a great place to find local produce, including plants and ingredients for cooking. InstagramReddit

📸 📸 Photography

The diverse plant collections, the insect house with butterflies, and the lush, green pathways offer numerous picturesque opportunities. Instagram

Generally, photography is allowed. Be respectful of other visitors and any specific signage within the garden. Instagram

During workshops and festivals, capturing the vibrant atmosphere is encouraged, but always be mindful of participants' privacy. Instagram+1

Morning light can be soft and beautiful for plant photography. Midday sun can be harsh, but the shade within the garden can help. Instagram

There is no specific mention of drone usage. It's best to assume they are not permitted unless explicitly stated otherwise to avoid disruption. Instagram

You may also like

1 of 2
Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Travel Guide