I am a professional artist who paints flowers. I want to visit Hawaii to photograph and sketch tropical flowers. Which Islands should I visit? Are there any botanical gardens open to the public? Where are the art galleries? What time of the year would be best for photographing flowers in the sunshine? Any suggetions on small condos, cottages etc that would not be too costly. Probably stay 14 days perhaps 2 islands. Thanks for your help.

An interesting question. Proteas are grown "upcountry" on Maui, which also has the best selection of art galleries in Lahaina. However, the Hamakua Coast on the Big Island is, in my opinion, the lushest and the Hawaii Tropical Gardens (about 10 miles north of Hilo) was the best tropical garden I've experienced on the islands. Outside of Hilo are some of the largest flower growers. To sum up, Maui and the Big Island would be my recommendations for floral art/photography, each with a different emphasis, but both very enjoyable.

Every island is different, so it's hard to say without knowing exactly what kinds of things you like. On Oahu there is the Lyon Arboretum, where you can see rare & indigenous plants/flowers. There is also Foster Gardens, right near downtown Honolulu.

Hey, you know what....why don't you contact the artist Teri Inouye, who probably knows all about that stuff. You can check out her stuff at www.bothi.com/ and see what kinds of flowers she paints.

Hi Sandy:

You would enjoy the gardens at The Contemporary Museum, in upper Makiki, Honolulu, and the Asian Courtyard at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. For nature photography, a trail walk anywhere. There are myriad ecosystems each with unique foliage. You may want to read on Hawaiian botany before you arrive.

Good recommendations above from Melissa about 'Oahu botanical gardens. Take the Round-Top/Tantalus Loop Drive and stop at Plumeria Corner; check the gigant philadendrons at the top. The quality of light is always beautiful no matter what season.

As to lodging, I'll defer to travelers.
Aloha,
k

Hi Sandy. I would recommend Kauai. I was there in October, and there are three national botanical gardens there. I went to the one on the north shore, which I believe is called Limahuli -- it is lovely, but it is mostly non-blooming plants. You want the two on the southern side of the island. I think one may be Allerton and the other McBryde or something like that. There is a website at www.ntbg.org where you can look them up.