kentiopsis

Hotels have large attractive grounds, but you'll start to see the same stuff over and over and get bored with it after you've traveled in the tropics for a while. Landscape architects, in addition to needing things to look nice and provide a certain atmosphere, need plants to be reliably tough where they're planted. I mostly know about palms, and in Hawaii for example, they rely on a "palette" of six or eight species that they know are too tough for maintenance crews to kill and that will survive drought and pollution. Hilo does provide some exceptions in a couple of malls that were landscaped by a guy who grew rare stuff. That said, when I move to Hawaii 35 years ago, it was all mind-blowing, the whole town. Post offices and cheap restaurants have flowers on display that would cost a hundred bucks on the mainland, but you're not going to see rare stuff in many hotel or city landscapes.

In East Hawaii (the Hilo side of the Big Island) cruising residential neighborhoods is going to provide a lot of interesting horticultural views. It has to be one of the most plant-aware places in the country, and people have all kinds of orchids, bananas, and other cool stuff planted where you can see it. Another thing I like to do is visit garden stores where I travel. You won't believe what's for sale in Hilo, and you won't believe the prices. The problem is you can't take it out of the state unless it's from a certified nursery, and stuff in garden stores isn't certified for export because it's not supposed to be going anywhere. Check out Garden Exchange, in Hilo. There's also another garden store whose name I've forgotten. Just ask. Hilo people are for the most part friendly and welcoming. Have fun!