Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Tropical Forest Hawai‘i: Aloha ‘Aina Opens Sat., Feb. 19

For Immediate Release: Fri., Feb. 11
Contact: Joe Reed | Director of Marketing and Communications
412-622-6915, ext. 3801 | jreed@phipps.conservatory.org

 

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Tropical Forest Hawai‘i: Aloha ‘Aina Opens Sat., Feb. 19
Say Aloha to the Amazing Intertwining of Culture, Nature and Spirituality of Hawai’i

 

Pittsburgh, PA – Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is proud to announce the opening of Tropical Forest Hawai‘i: Aloha ‘Aina, inviting guests to take an exciting, immersive journey through the rich history, nature and culture of the Hawaiian archipelago. Lush greenery, fragrant flora and engaging new interpretation stations bring to life the Indigenous Hawaiian culture of “Aloha ‘Aina” (“love of land”), demonstrating historic and modern methods of living in harmony with the natural world. Held inside the 12,000 square-foot, 60-foot high Tropical Forest Conservatory, which was constructed in 2007, Tropical Forest Hawai‘i is the latest in an ongoing series of tropical forest exhibits at Phipps, which have previously focused on Thailand, India, the Amazon, the Congo River Basin and Cuba.

Visitors will enjoy a wide variety of native and endemic species, from the Wao Akua (or sacred forests, a realm of the gods) at the top of the exhibit space to the Wao Kanaka (or realm of the people) in the heart of the Conservatory’s lush expanse. Along the way, plant highlights will include koa (Acacia koa), one of the fastest growing trees in Hawaii and a popular wood source for everything from canoes and surfboards to ukuleles; ʻōlulu (Brighamia insignis), which some call “cabbage on a stick” in reference to its signature rosette of cabbage-like leaves; hala, or screw pine (Pandanus tectorius), which is used to make leis, sandals, fans, sails and even pillows; and many more.

From the exhibit’s dramatic entrance, where a model canoe represents the first Polynesian voyages to Hawai‘i, guests will be transported to a world of new discoveries. A Biocultural Conservation Hub gives an up-close look at the research that Hawai‘i’s National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) is conducting on plants with the potential to end world hunger. In a hale (pronounced “ha-lay”), a traditional thatched hut, the process of turning kalo plants (Colocasia esculenta) into the staple Hawaiian food poi is depicted, as is the vivid and fascinating tradition of making kapa cloth from the bark of wauke, or paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) trees. And the Conservatory’s dramatic canopy overlook serves as a birding station where guests can look out to view life-sized carvings of native Hawaiian birds in the treetops beyond.

Researching, planning and curating Tropical Forest Hawai‘i was an intensive multi-year process, with Phipps’ staff traveling to the islands to observe and explore the culture firsthand with assistance from the staff of NTBG; Dr. Samuel M. ‘Ohukani‘ohi‘a Gon III, head scientist and cultural advisor at the Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i; Dr. Kawika Winter, an ecologist researching large-scale biocultural restoration of social-ecological systems and Indigenous rights; and Sabra Kauka, one of Hawai‘i’s most influential na ­­­­wahine alakai (women leaders) and kapa cloth ­­makers.

Tropical Forest Hawai‘i: Aloha ‘Aina will be open from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily and until 10 p.m. on Fridays. Timed tickets must be reserved in advance; for more information and to reserve tickets, visit phipps.conservatory.org/Hawaii.

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About Phipps: Founded in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, PA is a globally recognized green leader with a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Encompassing 15 acres including a historic 14-room glasshouse, 23 distinct indoor and outdoor gardens and industry-leading sustainable architecture and operations, Phipps attracts more than half a million visitors annually from around the world. Learn more at phipps.conservatory.org.

 

Watch TEDx: What We Can Learn From an Old Glasshouse: A look at the evolving way we connect people to nature at Phipps, demonstrate how human and environmental health are inextricably connected, and show that to age gracefully, we must continually reinvent ourselves to evolve with the rest of the world.