The Ohana house is the main viewing deck and the best spot for stargazing. From here, you can see the rings of Saturn.
Hawaii is known for its dark skies and low light pollution, making it an ideal location for astronomical observation. From here, you can even see the craters on the moon.
1. Brazilian Joyweed is used for food and medicine in native tribes in Central and South America.
2. Crotons or Song of India are known for their striking leaves.
3. The Butterfly Orchid Tree’s bark, roots and flowers have medicinal properties.
4. Egyptian Starclusters originally from Africa and Yemen, and attracts both butterflies and bees.
5.There are over 25,000 species of orchids. They are highly prized for their exotic and diverse flowers, and are excellent pollinator plants.
Papaya Plateau
To get an organic certification, Hamakua Hideaway is in the process of planting hundreds of dwarf Papaya trees. The fruit will be sold to the farmers market with proceeds going to sustainability programs.
1. Papaya is a fast growing plant that can produce fruit in one year under optimal conditions. The seeds are used in traditional medicine.
2. The Banana Mai’a (Apple Banana) is a smaller and sweeter variety brought to Hawai’i in the 1850s from Brazil. The banana flower is also edible.
3. The Uala Sweet Potato has edible tuberous roots and leaves.
4. Raspberries start out as clusters of small white flowers that turn into edible red berries as they mature.
5. Mature avocado trees can reach up to 40 feet and produce around 300 pieces of pitted-fruit per year.
Hamakua Hideaway has an abundance of fresh fruit such as papayas, bananas, jack fruit, raspberries, wild sweet potatoes, mangoes, pomegranates, avocados, and passion fruit or lilikoi.
Hawaiian Peppers
1. White Sugar Loaf pineapples are sweeter, less acidic, and packed with vitamins and enzymes that aid digestion.
2. Touch Me Not Plant or Pua Maka Nui will react when touched by folding inward and dropping. Don’t worry, it will reopen after a few minutes of not being touched.
3. The Hawaiian Chili Pepper or Lehua ‘aina are 100,000+ on the Scoville heat level and often used in local cuisine.
4. Bleeding Heart are poisonous if ingested and the foliage can irritate the skin, so look – don’t touch.
Mangoes & Pomegranates
1. The Magnolia Tree or Mokihana date back millions of years and are associated with purity and nobility. Various parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine, although the seeds can be toxic.
2. Mango Trees can live for centuries and are considered sacred. Small fragrant flowers develop into oval shaped fruit that turn orange/red when ripe.
3. Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants and can be eaten raw, juiced, or cooked. They also symbolize fertility, abundance, and prosperity in many cultures.
