Ka`u Main Street (a local 501c3) bought from the Roman Catholic Church, a beautiful historical Church site on Kamaoa Road. On this plot a garden of native Hawaiian Plants, “canoe plants”, medicinal and edible plants that were brought over by the Polynesian voyagers.
It is a work in progress.

Every second and fourth Thursday from 8-10 am volunteers come and learn, plant, weed, water, and propagate. After 10 everyone heads out to Hana Hou for a free breakfast and “talk story”.

Docents are available for tours by appointment at no charge, call 929-7236 or 557-8931. Once a month we take a field trip to one of the other Gardens or Nurseries on the island.

Seed and Plant exchange takes place every third Sunday of the month from noon to 3 pm with free lectures at about 1 pm. Free tours from 12 to 3, and free pupus from 1 to 2 pm.

Please come and join us.

With a hearty crew of volunteers, we planted a new garden of native Hawaiian plants on the site. The church was built in 1864 by Catholic missionaries from France and Belgium, a group that included Father Damien. Damien was assigned to the Big Island for several years before being transferred to Molokai.

The church was badly damaged by the earthquake of 1868 and never used again. The site has been cleared by NMS over the last three years. Carol Massey and Diane Nelson have planted a comprehensive collection of "canoe plants" brought in by Polynesian voyagers. We also have several endangered species including some extinct in the wild.

Other sections of the garden feature lei plants, medicinal plants, food plants and a mostly alahee grove. The garden is a work in progress and we welcome volunteers to plant other areas of the garden. Tours are given on the second Saturday of each month from 10am - 2 pm.

Many organizations including the National Park have offered to help us obtain plants of endangered species. And we are always looking for people to come and help with planting and clearing.

Fr. George De Costa gives his blessing 

Our Blessing by Father George de Costa and Grand Opening was well attended and will become an annual event.