Tucked away in the same neighbourhood as Hawaii Island’s historic Painted Church, Paleaku Peace Garden becomes a surprising holiday highlight.
The garden’s parking lot is shaded by towering red-blossomed poincianas filled with chorusing mynas. A leafy, arcaded walkway leads us into a delightful shop filled with locally crafted pottery, art and jewelry. New age music sooths and inspires. “Welcome,” smiles the manager. Handing us laminated garden guides, she explains how this seven-acre garden evolved over 40 years and five generations.
We eagerly begin our explorations. Along the adjoining walkway, golden koi slowly circle a small pond. Little fountains tinkle amid lush greenery and garden sculptures. Two sand paintings created by Tibetan monks rest atop tables.
Through an archway draped in sweet-smelling white flowers abuzz with honeybees, Harry, a green rescue parrot whistles enthusiastically as we pass. Along the yoga centre we glimpse a morning class stretching and posing. Just beyond lies the one-of-a-kind Galaxy Garden.
A detailed storyboard tells us that Jon Lomberg, a famous painter of interstellar space, created this scale model of the whirling Milky Way – in plants. This astonishing representation of our galaxy measures over 30 metres in diameter. Tall papyrus grass and flowering plants portray constellations of stars, meteors and nebula. Walking between huge hedges of yellow, red and orange hibiscus, we arrive at the galactic centre. From a shaded bench, we watch as yellow birds flit in a fountain’s silvery spray.
Stately royal palms flank the grassy slope leading to a bright white Buddhist temple. Further shrines representing other world religions are found around the immense lawn. Christian sites extol the mystical Our Lady of Guadalupe and Rosicrucian Order. A nine-pointed yellow, green and blue star embellishes a Báha’í platform rising above several white peace poles. Mosaics create Islamic symbols of the moon, star and loving heart. A stone Shiva, supreme Hindu god, sits beside a mahogany tree.
Gentle sea breezes cool us as our discoveries continue unfolding. One pathway leads us into the centre of a large labyrinth and back out again. Such labyrinths predate Christian times, even then used as tools for quieting the mind. We also locate the Native American fire circle and medicine wheel, designed to promote similar meditations. Of two Hawaiian shrines, one features aumakua, protective ancestors.
Looking closely, old trees tell stories of flourishing growth. The banyan’s thick, sturdy branches drop curtains of lacey brown aerial roots. Reaching the ground, we notice how they plant themselves and develop into strong new trunks. A six-metre high pencil tree sprouts succulent cylindrical stems. Citrus tree branches strain with the weight of ripe grapefruit. And the spreading sacred bodhi tree casts welcome shade. Buddha found enlightenment while sitting under the heart-shaped leaves of one such fig tree. So, we give it a try!
Of all the wondrous flowering botanicals, one stands out. Hanging in clusters like alien grapes, the jade vine bedazzles us with turquoise buds. Some of the long, thin stems are filled with rows of claw-shaped flowers. Trailing for several metres, they drift above the Hindu goddess of fertility, love and divine strength.
Long believed by Hawaiians to protect against bad spirits, red ti plants border the gardens. From secluded benches, we gaze at surrounding foliage, brilliant florals and the ocean far below. “That point below encompasses the ancient Place of Refuge,” I muse.
Fostering peace and learning, south Kona’s Paleaku Garden is a sanctuary of serenity and reflection. Our visit there provides us a time of rare tranquility in a busy world. And with our bag of distinctive, made in Hawaii purchases, we head back to the car.
For more, see www.paleaku.com
