Orchid-centric Hawaii Trip

[JAB]

My better half and me are heading to the Big Island of Hawaii this spring and it has turned into a rather orchid-centric holiday This is our first time to Hawaii in general and we have a number of things planned including snorkeling, hitting the volcanoe, hiking etc. but I wanted to ask specifically about some of the orchid ventures we are taking and get opinions as to good/bad, or if there is something we are missing.
I have looked up a bunch of orchid nurseries but most are not open to the public (plus honestly the budget will be a bit tight already). Akatsuka offers a tour that costs. Worth it? I have also heard that the Fairmont Orchid has a nice display on the grounds, true? We cannot afford that joint but could hit it up to check out some nice species if it was worth the while.
Here is a rough idea of our itinerary:


KONA SIDE
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* Ethnobotanical Garden
* Kona Orchid Society meeting

VOLCANO
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* Akatsuka Orchids

HILO SIDE
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* Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens
* Tropical Botanical Garden
* Akaka Falls State Park
* Hawaii Vanilla Company (farm tour)
* Hilo Orchid Society meeting
* Carmela Orchids (?)

Thanks folks! We are stoked to visit such a diverse island and not leave the US!
Jake

 

[cnycharles]

Fred here lives in Hawaii and grows many awesome seedlings under shade cloth (limuhead)

 

[Ruth]

See of you can go to Quintal Farms. Make sure you bring some Henniken. It is on the Hilo side

 

[JAB]

Excellent.
Is Quintal open to the public? And do you mean Heineken the beer?
Thanks!

 

[luvsorchids]

I have been to the Big Island several times. Last time was Oct. 2013. Akatsuka is generally worth at least a quick look around, but I wouldn't pay for the tour. Always seemed too expensive to me. In general it is more touristy, but I still have a couple nice plants I got there.

I did not make it to Carmela in 2013 but in the past has always been well worth the visit. They always gave great discounts on plants that I purchased .

Akaka Falls is a nice walk. Not many orchids, but lots of tropical foliage and flowers. They now charge to park at the lot there, but when I went I found a parking spot just off-site.


Susan