Paradise Found, the garden of Robert Welsch and David Davenport (Saturday, October 24, 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 20:00:00 GMT

HIPS Tour Group in 2021

Five years have passed since HIPS last toured the lovely garden of David Davenport and Robert Welsch. Come see the difference five years makes in a garden where planting never seems to end.

How big are these new plantings now?

Purchased in 2005, this 11.25 acre Kalapana property was an annual winter project for David and Robert, who was working as a landscape designer back in New York. The two built their home and moved permanently to the big island in 2014 after retirement. Their Indonesian-inspired home is nestled in an ancient Hawaiian Ohi’a and Uluhe forest with extensive ornamental palm, bamboo, orchid, bromeliad, citrus and tropical gardens.

Above Left: Double rainbow gracing the courtyard between the main house and ohana. Hedge planting includes Dypsis pembana, Dypsis laneofola, Caryota gigas, Roystonia oleracea, and Kerriodoxa elegans, among others. Below Right: Incredible scale of a Caryota gigas leaf.

Over the years, the palm collection has been enhanced with purchases from the Lundkvist garden; Jeff Marcus at Floribunda; Jan Anderson; Bill Austin, Jerry Hunter at Rancho Soledad, and more. In 2017, David and Robert purchased most of the palm collection of former Palm Society member Joseph Tucker which added substantially to the depth and breadth of the palm collection.

During registration you can choose either the morning (10:00am) or afternoon (1:00pm) session.

Dalbok Mahonu Garden, Opihikao (Saturday, November 14, 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Don't miss this tour featuring the garden of landscape designer Davis Dalbok. This 24 acre garden has developed over the last 25 years, weathering hurricanes and lava threats.

The garden is a masterfully designed collector's garden. The garden is home to extensive collections of palms, orchids, bamboos, cycads, bromeliads, and vireyas, organic gardens, and a native lowland tropical rainforest restoration project.

The trails are mostly level, but at all garden tours we ask that you wear sturdy shoes or boots for your safety, especially in the event of wet conditions.

Hawaii Island Palm Society upcoming events

Paradise Found, the garden of Robert Welsch and David Davenport (Saturday, October 24, 2026)

Dalbok Mahonu Garden, Opihikao (Saturday, November 14, 2026)