|
The place where our orchids grow was once Haleahi Ranch. But as
many ranches are now gone, so was the destiny of Haleahi. The old
Pueo ("Pueo" is the Hawaiian word for "Owl") resevoir lay in the
middle, and streams originally ran through this area of the valley until
the spring was capped and used to supply water for the community
that has grown throughout this Westside region. The stream that
flowed through here was once used to raise taro, a staple of the
Hawaiians that settled here.
When the early Polynesians arrived, one could imagine how this area
came to be named Haleahi. Flanked by two dormant cinder cones, this
inner geological area could have very well been a lava cauldron
where the first settlers may have derived their source of fire.
"Hale" (pronounced hah-lay) is "house" and "ahi"
(pronounced ah-hee) is "fire".
Haleahi is on the island of Oahu in the Hawaiian chain so the volcanic
activity has long ended. The relatively dry climate has somewhat
preserved the ancient cinder cones which hikers soon discover are
much larger than they appear.
Over
the years the climate has mitigated to a more arid and desert-like
one, and scattered kiawe (Mesquite) trees have grown in a way that
reveals the conditions they have endured over the years.
The conditions here have shown particular favor for providing the
orchids with the challenges that nature normally provides and stimulates
a tougher type of growth than orchids protected under greenhouse
conditions. We have also noticed that the extra resilient plant
tissue easily bounces back after extended travel. Bringing us to
the conclusion that we should, without further hesitation, open
Haleahi Orchid Ranch and send you orchids that can light up your
life with the fire and passion that seems to eternally stream from
ancient lava source.
As with all handcrafted orchid nurseries, our doors would not be
completely open until you were introduced to our
wonderful rew.
Nothing is more true than to say that they make it all
possible through their dedication to raise orchids in the wilder
westside of the island.
|
