Senator Fong’s Plantation and Gardens
Located about 45 minutes from Waikiki, you will find the 700 acre private estate of former Senator Hiram Leong Fong, the first Asian American to serve in the US Senate. Senator Fong lived to the sweet age of 97, and he often contributed toiling in his beloved gardens as the reason for his longevity, health and well being.
Nestled at the base of the Ko’olau Mountains, Senator Fong originally purchased the first small plot of land in 1950 to house his children’s horses, but over the years continued to add land to the estate. Originally the plantation provided bananas top local markets, but eventually he focused on planting plants and flowers native to Hawaiian culture and preserving the Eco-system. The guardians of the garden today are constantly improving the gardens, adding new points of interest and protecting the native plants from encroaching foreign plants. The Plantation also serves as a nature preserve and bird sanctuary ,allowing visitors to see rare and exotic species usually unavailable to the general public.
Beauty every where you look
The Plantation is divided into six main garden areas, five for each of the Presidents he served under while in the US Senate, the sixth for King Lunalilo, so the garden areas are Eisenhower Plateau – ethnic gardens, Johnson Plateau – variety of tropical fruits, Kennedy Valley – Hawaiian Rainforest, Nixon Valley Lei Flower Garden, Hawaiian Gardens and Lilly Ponds, Ford Plateau – Pine Garden where you will find numerous varieties of Norfolk pines,cedars and ornamental trees, and Lunalilo Heights – at the highest elevation accessible by Tram – breathtaking views of Kaneohe Bay – from Chinaman’s Hat to Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
Senator Fong’s Plantation & Gardens is located 47-285 Pulama Road , Kaneohe, HI 96744, Email [email protected] Phone 808-239-6775
So many colors of ginger
Open daily except Christmas and New Years, tours at 10:30am and 1:00pm daily, about 1.5 hours and a 1 mile walk over all.
Lei making classes are also available from the fresh flowers picked from the Nixon Valley Lei Flower Garden – fun family experience.
Also by reservations Luncheons, parties and wedding receptions can be held in the visitors center.
For for more info about Senator Fong’s Plantation contact Linda Dancer [email protected] Direct Line 931-337-0770.
And remember the best way to enjoy any of the Hawaiian Islands is to get out and about and explore!
