The Secret Garden In Hawaii You’re Guaranteed To Love
By Megan Shute|Published March 03, 2017
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
From vibrant green valleys to breathtaking gardens, there is no denying that you will find countless lush landscapes across the Hawaiian Islands. And while we love every single vista you’ll find in the Aloha State, there is a magical garden hiding on Kauai’s southern coast that is an absolute dream. Upon entering the enchanting Allerton Garden, you are sure to fall head over heels in love with this incredible destination.
Established and curated by Robert Allerton, this 80-acre garden is tucked into the Lawai Valley on the southern shores of Kauai, and is transected by Lawai Stream.
The picturesque garden has also been a filming location for quite a few movies - including the South Pacific musical, and the cult classic Jurassic Park.
Queen Emma once resided above the valley, and a modest house that may have been her residence has subsequently been moved to the valley floor and renovated.
The entire valley - including what is now the McBryde Garden - was purchased by the McBryde family in the late 19th century to be used as a sugar cane plantation.
Robert Allerton, who had a lifelong passion for garden design, sculpture, and landscape architecture, came to Hawaii with his son, John Gregg Allerton, in 1938 and purchased a portion of Queen Emma’s plantation to transform into a residence and garden.
Allerton’s other famous garden resides in Illinois.
He used a variety of tropical plants in his landscape designs, though it wasn’t until later that he worked with various individuals and organizations in order to establish a tropical botanical garden on U.S. soil.
