Senator Fong's Plantation
Hawaii Bamboo Pixabay Public Domain
Sitting on more than 700 acres of untainted tropical landscape your group will find Senator Fong's Plantation, a can't-miss garden hotspot sitting in Oahu's Ko'olau Mountains.
Here you will find groves of fruit and nut trees, plants, and flowers, the landscape ranging from 80 to 2,600 feet above sea level throughout. The plantation's namesake, Senator Hiram Fong, purchased this land in 1950. Fong served in the US Senate for 17 years, and he named each of the 5 different sections of his plantation by a president that served during his senate career.
Walking around the plantation you will see a colorful collection of palms, flowers, tropical fruit, and ferns. See exotic Hawaiian plant species such as kukui, koa, ohia-'ai, Hala, ti, and pili grass. Learn about and see 15 early Polynesian introduced plants such as bamboo, and see if you can differentiate between any of the over 80 different types of palms planted here.
Your group can explore the plantation on your own, or perhaps opt to take the 1 mile, 90-minute walking tour that takes you through valleys, dense canopies, and forested plateaus. Sample tropical fruits, nuts, and other in-season treats during your walk, with over 70 edible nuts and fruits found throughout the plantation. Before you go be sure to check if there are any community activities or art classes happening (lei making classes common), then visit the gift shop for a fun souvenir, snack, or refreshment.
