Get Expert Advice from Nursery Folks Hailing from Around the Island

KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII ISLAND— Featuring five Big Isle mom and pop nurseries, the Plant People Road Show heralds the coming of spring during its first show of 2025 on February 1. Time is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Makaeo Pavilion at Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area. Admission is free.

The bi-annual sale provides attendees the chance to talk directly to members of the local nursery community and browse plants in a casual, direct-from-farmer atmosphere. 

The spring show is featuring blooming flower stems and potted plants perfect for Valentine gift-giving.

“We invite you to come early for best selection and come see all the beautiful flowers,” says Bob Harris of OrchidPeople. “It’s the biggest plant sale for Valentine’s Day on the island.”

Participating growers hail from around the island: 

• Chitosi Tsumura of C&T Products in Kea‘au features many different varieties and colors of long-lasting, heart-shaped anthuriums.

• Peter and Kay DeMello of DeMello Air Plants of Kona provide 50 varieties of easy-care air plants.

• Jennifer Snyder and Bob Harris of OrchidPeople in Waimea offer their largest selection ever of cool and warm-tolerant cymbidium orchids. Find exciting new varieties and colors in mini to standard size and get tips on growing orchids.  

• Phoenicia and Bob Zeller of Pele’s Island Plants in Oceanview grow select and hard-to-find orchid varieties, assorted cactus and succulents. Find choices for the collector and hobbyist. 

• Kari Hagerman of Pomaika‘i Plant Company of Waimea is bringing grafted fruit trees, herbs, veggies, bedding plants, lavender, hibiscus, Brindabella roses and Silver Dollar eucalyptus.

In its 11th year, the Plant People Road Show stages two sales annually, around Valentine’s Day and in the fall.The direct, nursery-customer setting enables growers to meet the public and get feedback while providing expert growing guidance. For info, phone 808-987-3231 and follow Plant People Road Show on Facebook.