Pana`ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens Readers Digest included the zoo in their pick of best zoos in every state:  https://www.rd.com/advice/travel/best-zoo-every-state/.  The zoo opened in the late 1970s and HIPS soon began a decades long project to plant a wide selection of palms from around the world. Now there are over 150 species of palms for the public to enjoy plus a large cycad garden just outside the entrance. Free Admission. Open 9 am- 4 pm daily. www.hilozoo.com    Map of the palms at the zoo:  Panaewa Zoo Map.pdf  HIPS zoo history:  ZooHistory.pdf

University of Hawaii at Hilo Palm and Cycad Garden Located on the banks of the Waiakea Stream running beside UHH, this collection of about 50 mature, rare palms from around the world is open to the public free of charge. Continue down the stream to reach the amazing cycad collection. Parking fees apply during business

hours M-F.

Downtown Arboretum This collection of tropical fruit and timber trees also includes several dozen large palms. Free admission. Open 7 am -3 pm weekdays. Limited free parking at the Department of Forestry Office.

Nani Mau Gardens This banquet-conference-wedding facility boasts a large formal garden that includes palms. Try the lunch buffet and then enjoy the gardens. Admission charge. www.nanimaugardens.com

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens Located a few miles north of Hilo, this botanical gem along the coast boast some of the largest trees on the island including massive palms. Beautiful waterfalls, orchids, gingers, and tree ferns fill the garden. Enter down a steep boardwalk that drops nearly 200’. Wear sturdy shoes! Admission charge. www.htbg.com

World Botanical Gardens Built on the site of a former sugarcane plantation home, this tourist destination features zip lines over waterfalls in addition to the gardens. Admission charge. www.wbgi.com/

Private Residential Gardens HIPS has over 200 members. Many of them have beautiful palm gardens ranging in size from small residential lots in Hilo to 10 acre estates in the surrounding rural areas. With our year round mild temperatures and abundant rain, palms that grow slowly in California and Florida are rockets here. Palms that cannot survive in Florida or California because of their strict requirement for tropical conditions flourish in East Hawaii. Young gardens can boast very large palms. Many of our members are happy to welcome visitors to their gardens. If you are planning a trip to the Big Island, contact us with your travel dates. We should be able to find a private garden or two for you to tour.

Other Islands:

OAHU 

Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu. www1.honolulu.gov/parks/hbg/fbg.htm

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Kane'ohe. www.honolulu.gov/parks/hbg/hmbg.htm

Koko Crater Botanical Garden, Honolulu. www1.honolulu.gov/parks/hbg/kcbg.htm

Lyon Arboretum, Honolulu. http://www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum/

Wahiawa Botanical Garden, Waihiawa. www.honolulu.gov/parks/hbg/wbg.htm

KAUAI

National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kalaheo. http://ntbg.org

MAUI

Kahanu Gardens, Hana. https://ntbg.org/gardens/kahanu

The Merwin Conservancy, Peahi.  www.themerwinconservancy.org