Puanani Orchids

I love Orchidaceae or orchids! The varieties are endless and Mother Nature never fails to intrigue and wow me. For years I used to get my orchids from the Moili’ili Star Market Garden Center, now long closed :(On my last visit there, I asked where they would recommend to buy my orchids in the future. Apart from the place in Palolo Valley (kind of far; and not much selection IMHO), they suggested Wally’s Garden Center.
For the next three years I bought beautiful orchids from Wally’s and always enjoyed my visit there as he would talk story. It was Wally’s rascal laugh that I enjoyed just as much as the orchids he sold. Unfortunately for me, I believe he decided to retire and one day I noticed his shop was all vacant, no plants, no orchids, no Wally :(A sad day, but a happy one for him (yeah, retirement!) All the best to you Wally! I still have many orchids, some three years old that have re-​bloomed several times already.
So after visiting nearby Glenn’s Flowers & Plants in Waimanalo, they told me to try Puanani Orchids. It is literally a stone’s throw from Glenn’s on Kalanianaole Hwy immediately after Nalowinds Boarding Kennels (Flamingo St.) on the right. Look for the break in the brush and if the gate is open, then it’s okay to enter. If the gate is closed, they’re closed. Simple right? Very easy to miss, so keep your eyes peeled.
The owner was not as militant as described in Timothy P’s review. He ended up being very gracious to us and took the time to describe each of the orchids we took a liking to. The layout is a bit disorganized and I agree with Timothy P. regarding this, however there is usually a nearby orchid in bloom that coincides with the types in that vicinity (though not always the case). Don’t try to make sense of the chaos, but just ask and he’ll decipher. Prices are stellar! $ 6 for a single stalk and $ 8 for a double stalk. Wow! I was paying twice, sometimes three times that for years! At these prices, I went crazy and bought a bunch, even ones for outside. He accepts credit cards, but we just paid in cash. He gave us his card and instructed us to call before making the trek. ‘If I know you’re coming and around what time, I’ll be open.’ Easy enough. I left happy with all my Orchidaceae and thrilled that I found my new go-​to orchid place :)
#Yelp 365: ⁰⁰⁴⁄₃₆₅

They have a large selection of beautiful orchids, a very friendly and helpful owner, and very good prices — big thumbs up.

As much as I like Kawamoto Orchids (review coming soon), they are lacking in hybrid orchids and mostly sell clones. So I asked them, where can I find some neat hybrids? They politely directed me to Gavin at Puanani Orchids.
Location wise, it SHOULD be easy to find! Right on Kalanianaole Highway… how could you miss it? The property has an overgrowth of bushes in front, once you notice the Puanani Orchids sign, you’ve already passed it! A quick tip, look for a farm with a wagon wheel for a sign, Puanani is directly across the street from it.
I’ve only been here a few times, despite being an avid collector. The reason for this is because half the time they are closed! No hours of business! It’s open when they feel like being open, the owner told me to give a call ahead of time when I come.
I’m sorry, if you are selling Orchids in a tourist destination, you better be open when a person drives by and wants to buy your merchandise on a whim– especially on Kalanianaole Highway! Geez.
The second reason I don’t really come here is because the owner is moody as hell! The first time he was pleasant and excited that someone as young as me was interested in orchids. The following times, I brought friends, and he gave us the third degree! He wanted us to not split up and look around the nursery because he couldn’t keep an eye on both of us!
Lastly. This place is not organized. Gavin has this weird organization system of numbers on the tags. Each number code he MIGHT have memorized of what Orchid it is. There’s no rhyme or reason why the orchids are where they are. When I asked, «Do you have more of these?» We literally find them on the other side of the nursery.
I did buy an interesting orchid or two from him, and he does sell them quite inexpensive– really Longs and Wal-​mart have nothing on him. A 5-​inch pot Dendrobium — $ 5, this would be easily $ 20 anywhere else. So in that respect, it may be worth the lack of service for the great price. But to me, this place is one big headache.