HELP buying live plants/seeds Hawaii

[MOMofONE]

When I told my mother we were cruising to Hawaii, she made one request: bring/send me back a Bird of Paradise plant.
As she is having her housewarming party on July 4th, in Florida, was hoping to order & have something shipped while we are in ports the last week of June.

Well, from what I have seen online, Bird of Paradise plants appear to be between $75-125 !!
These prices were from a few sites found thru Hawaii plants/florist search.

Does anyone have advice regarding purchasing mature plants and/or plant starters/seeds?
There seems to be a number of tropical flowering plants available she would like but would love to get her bird of paradise.

Based on our port times, I think I would need to order in Kona or Maui (Kahului or Lahaina). Not sure I could get something delivered in time from Kauai (6/30)or Oahu (7/1).

If we visit a botanical garden, can you purchase from them?
The best online source (price & variety) I found was [url="http://www.hawaiian-tropical-flowers.com"]www.hawaiian-tropical-flowers.com[/url]
They have plants, plant starters, seeds (including bird of paradise), and some gift basket items like Kona coffee & macadamia nuts.
Anyone have experience with them?

sure would appreciate any advice- it's for Mom!
Mahalo,
Tina

[a-tx-brit]

You can buy small plants & seeds at ABC stores all over Hi.Bird of Paradise seeds are about $5.Enjoy your trip, Brian.

[a-tx-brit]

[url="http://www.abcstores.com/browse.cfm/2,3.html"]http://www.abcstores.com/browse.cfm/2,3.html[/url]
Try this link.

[SweetEmi]

I'm sorry...but I don't know what day you'll be in Kona but if the Farmer's Market is open down town that day, they have starters there that have already been certified so you can mail them or take them with you. There's a post office near the pier also...I can give you directions if you need them.

Aloha,
Emi

NCL Star-08/31/03 in Hawaii!
NCL Star-11/13/04 to Mexico!
Alaska summer 2005!

[MOMofONE]

Thanks Brian - the abc store link was super! I had seen it mentioned often but did not know how big of a selection they have. Also MUCH better prices than some of the florist & gift store websites I visited.
Do you know if any stores take care of shipping directly?

Emi - we are in Kona on a Sunday.
I don't think I completely understand the certified thing. I thought all plants & seeds one buys would be certified to ship. I know you can't just get some fruit from the grocery store, or dig up a bush and ship it but, guess I did not look into the plant/seed angle of this.
If ABC doesn't ship form store, I would need a place to take my items to ship. Can the Kona Post Office provide a box (and packing material if needed)to ship? Would I need a special ventilated box to ship plant starters?

Maybe one of you can also answer this :
Why the difference in prices for Kona coffee? ABC has some brands for $5-$10 but I've seen it at other sites for as much as $27 a pound!
Are there certain brands, or places one should buy, to get the "good stuff"?

[Suebee]

On The coffee:
Read the label carefully. Many "Kona" coffees are only 10% Kona coffee....they have to have 10% to call themselves "Kona".
The 27-30 dollar coffees are 100% Kona. IMHO, not worth it for every day...but what a treat because it is extraordinary coffee. Most supermarkets carry some brand of Kona coffee if you look....but they are the 10% variety. So if you really want to buy coffee here, get the 100% for a great treat.
Aloha

NCL Star 1/04
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[Suebee]

Looking at the ABC site...I see the $10 and $9 bags of "100%" Kona. I say, if it looks to good to be true....well, you know. I don't think they would be the premium beans for that price.

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[SweetEmi]

No way is there 100% Kona for 9 or 10 dollars unless they are about 3 ounces...The real stuff will cost you, that's for sure...but there are many that won't buy anything else.

Mom: There is a place above the Walmart (where there will be a free shuttle) that is similar to a Mail Boxes, Etc (though I know that isn't what it is) but they have boxes and stuff and can send it for you. The starters are in little plastic bag type things so I wouldn't think anything extraordinary would be needed to ship them.

You really can't take any plant products out of the state unless you have it inspected first. You really shouldn't even wear a lei, I guess...but I've been lucky...I "always" travel with ti leaf but usually it's tucked inside my luggage and a piece in my bra or something. If I'm lucky my auntie might make me a ti leaf lei to wear and they've never bothered me.

So, be aware of that.

The market I'm sure is open on Sundays...Must be - it would be a big day for it.

Here's a good link explaining the rules on agricultural importing and exporting. It's interesting, I read that you cannot just take empty coffee bags with you either...
[url="http://www.hawaiianair.com/cargo/govt/govt_goods.asp"]http://www.hawaiianair.com/cargo/govt/govt_goods.asp[/url]

Emi

NCL Star-08/31/03 in Hawaii!
NCL Star-11/13/04 to Mexico!
Alaska summer 2005!

[This message was edited by SweetEmi on 05-01-04 at 05:59 PM.]

[spleen93]

Agree with being cautious about buying Kona coffee that sounds too cheap to be true. True 100% Kona will certainly be more expensive than $10 a bag. The best stuff will be close to $25-30 a pound.

Spleen

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[MOMofONE]

Well this has all been very educating - and I didn't even have to pay tuition! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

OK then, how far is the Market from the ABC Store and where are they in relation to the Mailing business?
If I get the souvenir and coffee stuff from ABC, and plants from Market, I could make my own gift basket at half the cost of ordering one!
We will have a rental to get around but with this being a tendering port, will have to use my time very efficiently to return the rental well before last tender.

Do you think there is a better chance of accomplishing this task in Maui or Kauai since we dock overnight in Kahului & Nawiliwili?
I planned to be in Lahaina for sunset and on Kauai I will be on south end after sseeing Waimea Canyon and taking sunset snorkel cruise from Port Allen. Are businesses open late on weekdays when cruise ships are in port?
If I know the name of the mailing establishment that is common in Hawaii, I could shop for gifts in each port and locate one in Maui or Kauai with basket all ready to go.

You all have been extremely patient and helpful. I still don't understand why you have not quit your day jobs and started your own Hawaii tour company - your following here at CC alone would make the business an instant success!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Mahalo,
Tina

[a-tx-brit]

The seeds & plants in the stores all have a red USDA inspection stamp on the package..You can't bring soil back so plants are in volcanic rock.(I guess Pele has O.K.'d it)

[Suebee]

It seems to me that if you have longer times in Kauai and Maui that it would be the safer way to go there.

Spleen, what is the name of the coffee grower on Kauai? Is it Kauai Coffee Growers? Anyway, a good place to stop to see where the beans are grown, sample and buy some coffee. It is on the way as you head towards the Waimea Canyon on your left.

Another favorite spot for coffee for me was the Bad A$$ coffee company in Lahaina. There, the good stuff I belive is $27 a bag...but worth it for an occasional treat for us. They also have a web page. [url="http://www.badasscoffee.com/"]http://www.badasscoffee.com/[/url]
You can stop there for your sunset in Lahaina too!

Aloha

NCL Star 1/04
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[SweetEmi]

I don't think you really get a better deal buying Kona coffee from Kona necessarily but I know you have a "tight" schedule here in Kona...so from the pier, walk along Alii Drive along the water, past the Palace, and past Kona Inn Shopping Center. Then at the stop sign kitty-corner from where you are is the Farmer's Market...not far, just a couple of blocks. Then if you keep going past Waterfront Row and Bubba Gumps, (all of that will be on the Makai (water) side)...then there will be a rock wall in front of the ocean for a little ways and right after that...in front of Huggos on the Rocks is normally a little trailer that sells coffee...you can get good coffee at a decent price there. Sometimes right there on the rocks by the water will be man who paints beautiful scenes on large fans. If you get one of these though - beware that the paint STINKS! until it dries completely (maybe several weeks?) so make sure you have it sealed up somehow in your luggage or you don't have it in there with any clothes or anything...

Near the pier are about 3 different ABC stores and on your way back when you need a refreshing break - go to the Scandinavian Shave Ice place (it's just a half a block or so from where the pier is) and get a shave ice - YUMMY!

I would worry about shipping later when you have more time.

Aloha,
Emi

NCL Star-08/31/03 in Hawaii!
NCL Star-11/13/04 to Mexico!
Alaska summer 2005!

[MidtheNight]

Momofone-
Bird of Paradise plants are a dime a dozen here in FLA. Find a local nursery near to where they are moving that can deliver one directly to them or give them a WalMart gift card so they can pick their own...seriously, we spent about $10 for a good size one at WalMart when my inlaws moved into their house and the plant has been going strong for about 14 years now.

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Sailin' on the Wind 5/29/04

[MOMofONE]

MidtheNight - LOL! MOMS! Geez, they'll drive ya crazy! My Mom has lived in New Port Richey area for about 6 years and is a frequent visitor to Walmart! She is moving only about 1/2 hour north of her current location. Guess she thinks there is something special about Bird of Paradise plants from Hawaii.
I live in PA so of course don't see tropical plants here in the Poconos - our warm growing season is a joke - like 13 weeks at best!
Maybe I'll get her something more unusual and not easily obtained in FL. I still want to send the gift basket as it's the easiest way to pass the souvenirs to the rest of the family attending the house warming party.
thanks for the tip

Suebee & Emi - I agree that shopping in early ports and shipping later would work best.
Emi, I copied the Kona directions and pasted with other Kona info from HI board.
Suebee, I know you take your coffee seriously, like me, so will likely treat us to "the good stuff" and buy the "medium grade" for family who won't know any better. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
The boards here are providing a hefty little tip list so I only need pack my maps to supplement!
Much Mahalo again,
Tina

[Suebee]

Tina
We like to take the coffee tour of Hawaii. I stop everywhere I can smell it! One more place is The Coffee Company on Oahu which is pretty good and not expensive. That might of been our first coffee outing here! LOL.
I am not a fan of Starbucks...too strong for me. Now if I could only get Light Cream here like I could back east, I would be in true heaven...but alas, we are stuck with coffeemate here [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]

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[spleen93]

If you're looking for plants in Lahaina, I recommend checking out Dan's Greenhouse - just ask around and anybody in Lahaina should be able to point you to it. It's a funky place ... well worth visiting even if you don't buy anything. Check out the Vietnamese pot-bellied piglets in the back. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Suebee - sorry, don't remember the name of the Kauai coffee grower.

If you really like good Kona, I also highly recommend Langenstein Kona coffee ... really excellent. Also not cheap. Actually, very not cheap. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Spleen

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