PSSC/HIPS "Biennial" Expedition to the Big Island

[Dypsisdean]

I have been trying to get the PSSC (Palm Society of So. California) and HIPS (Hawaii Island Palm Society) to explore the interest and possibility of putting together a "Mini-Bennial" of sorts for PSSC Members to come on a palm tour to the Big Island. Since many PSSC members are close friends among themselves, and with many of us here on the Big Island, it could be an enjoyable and educational event. And it's such a relatively short and simple flight from SoCal.

It would be professionally managed and take the shape of the following:

- Seven days, six nights on the Big Island. Three nights on the Hilo side, and three nights on the Kona side. Approx. $1500 for "land arrangements," not including airfare.

- It would include tours of 8-12 spectacular gardens, one night of a palm presentation by a world class speaker, a possible luau night, and one free day on each side for a get together with chosen friends for a day of a volcano tour, hiking, diving, fishing, palm shopping (a few growers will ship), etc. - or just hanging with one of the many ex-California friends over here. There are a thousand "touristy" things to do here, enough to cover any conceivable tastes.

- Once here, a couple of days on another island before or after could be reasonably had for additional fun and adventure.

- It would probably need 2 dozen participants to make it feasible, and be limited to perhaps 3 dozen. It would be a much smaller and more laid back edition of the wildly successful IPS Biennial. And it would be held on the off year, so as not to interfere with the IPS Biennial. So that means about a year or so from today.

- And it might not necessarily be exclusively for PSSC Members if someone else from the Mainland wished to attend. All of the finer details would be forthcoming provided there is any interest.

So, does anyone else think this would be a blast? It could even be held during the colder months in California, to give everyone a break from the long cold nights.

The Aloha Spirit is alive and well, and eager to be shared.

[DoomsDave]

How much?

Money, that is . . . . . more or less . . . . ?

[Dypsisdean]

How much?

Money, that is . . . . . more or less . . . . ?

Dave,

In pidgin we would say here, "Try read already Bra."

[DoomsDave]

Dave,

In pidgin we would say here, "Try read already Bra."

And, as we say here on the mainland:

Make the price a bit more prominent . . . .

[LJG]

Dean, Jeff M mentioned this a few weeks ago to me. I asked a few around here if they were game, and the people I asked said yes. I would be happy to go.

[DoomsDave]

Dean, Jeff M mentioned this a few weeks ago to me. I asked a few around here if they were game, and the people I asked said yes. I would be happy to go.

Push!

Ummmph!

[palmcurry]

I'm interested. As someone who goes to Hawaii regularly I want to attend but may arrange by own accommodations. But seeing all the gardens with fellow palm enthusiasts is something I would do.

[Dypsisdean]

I'm interested. As someone who goes to Hawaii regularly I want to attend but may arrange by own accommodations. But seeing all the gardens with fellow palm enthusiasts is something I would do.

Perhaps we could have an option, at a greatly reduced price, for those PSSC members who live here, or HIPS members wishing to attend the gardens, luncheons, presentation, luau night, etc. - or for "free lancers." At this point there is no idea whatsoever of how many would wish to take part. It could flop, or we may have to turn people away. That is the reason for this initial inquiry.

[CardiffPalmNut]

Dean - I'm in, but like Vince, I would take care of my own ground arrangement's.

Mahalo in advance for putting this together!

[ellidro]

would love to attend just need to check on my funds. I would love to drag Rusty over there too.

[DoomsDave]

Well, looky 'dat!

[Dypsisdean]

Dean - I'm in, but like Vince, I would take care of my own ground arrangement's.

Mahalo in advance for putting this together!

Well,

It's a long way from "put together." But the San Diego Horticultural Society is coming over with a group of about 30 in Nov, so the rough template is already in place - just a little custom tweaking necessary.

Accommodating individual arrangements may be challenging. So don't give up on the idea of staying with the group in a nice hotel. The evening camaradarie will take you back a few years to the good 'ol days - just ask BS Bill.

[Dypsisdean]

For those of you not attending the Costa Rica Biennial, so not understanding my reference to BS Bill, here's just a little bit of the fun to be had around the spa.

[CardiffPalmNut]

OK so let me get this straight, BSman in a bathing suite is supposed to be a "selling point" for communal habitation. :floor:

[Mark_NoVA]

Ooh, ooh, non-member here interested! :drool: [Not the previous 2 posts, the trip...] Depends on the timing for me...I couldn't go to Rio this year because of the schedule.

[BS Man about Palms]

Dave,

In pidgin we would say here, "Try read already Bra."

And, as we say here on the mainland:

Make the price a bit more prominent . . . .

I thought Lawyers LIVE for the fine print...

[bgl]

Just want to add a couple of quick comments.

First of all, I think this is a great idea that Dean came up, and needless to say, our garden would be part of the tour.

Secondly, and just reading a few of the comments here, makes me think of how a Biennial is organized. Needless to say, this would be on a much smaller scale, but my guess is that some of the same guidelines would be useful. One of the most important guidelines for a Biennial is that if someone wants to participate, they need to pay the registration fee, which covers all ground arrangements, accomodation and most meals. It's a take it or leave it proposition. We do get requests from people who want to make their own arrangements for accomodation. That's a no-go. You either pay the registration and stay with the group, or you don't participate. There is a very good reason for this: once you get into individual requests for accomodation and maybe even transportation and meals, you've lost all control. Shouldn't be attempted. With 30 participants, you'll end up with 30 individual requests. Never works. The ONLY exception during a Biennial is for those who actually live in the location where the Biennial is held. When we had the Biennial here in Hawaii in May 2004, those of us who lived here could participate in the dinners at the hotel (in Honolulu and here in Hilo), for a fee, and we could also drive ourselves to the various gardens where the group went. So, not having discussed this with Dean, my guess would be that the only practical way to organize this is to have a registration fee that would be paid by everyone who wants to come here and participate in this fascinating tour. And that would cover what I mentioned above. Airfare is always a separate issue, needs to be arranged and paid for by each participant. Those who have a residence here (whether you live here or not) would presumably be able to participate in some fashion without paying the full registration fee.

Again, this is Dean's idea and I think it's a great idea, so it's for him to work out the details, maybe with someone else who may be interested in getting involved.

[BS Man about Palms]

I'm interested. As someone who goes to Hawaii regularly I want to attend but may arrange by own accommodations. But seeing all the gardens with fellow palm enthusiasts is something I would do.

On the other hand, I who have never been to Hawaii would like to go, but would need to sleep on the park benches and then take a bus around.. OR at least dress like the pix Dean posted and when they put their hands up to block their eyes I could take their keys, cash, etc..... That would help..

Seriously, I would/will try very hard to make it a mandatory event for me to attend.

OR-Now that I saw Bo's post....

Edited March 23, 2010 by BS Man about Palms

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Another non-member interested (in the trip, not Bill - no offense Bill! )

I've been wanting to go to the Big Island for years. This would be the event to get me there... I am willing to join either society, a small price to pay for entrance to some of the most fantastic palm gardens in the world.

[Dypsisdean]

Bo has raised some of the obvious logistical concerns when trying to cater to individual needs. And working on such details is still premature until we determine if there is enough interest. However, I could see having two types of participants, those conforming with the provided package, and those who would already be here - whether they live here, are in their second home or condo here, are staying with friends here, or even providing their own lodging some other way. So two and only two "packages."

But it should be kept in mind that it is a big island. And even those of us who live here would probably be taking lodging on the other side of where we live, if we were attending more than one day's events there. It would not be practical to drive back and forth daily for the three days on the "other side." So even if you think you would like to provide your own accommodations, you may end up in the same hotel as the other attendees, just paying more. And there would most likely be the other matter of providing your own transportation as well.

But again, unless there is enough interest shown, none of that will matter. In addition, this may be my idea, but it is far from my project. I am hopeful either HIPS or the PSSC (or both) are interested in lending their support and resources, and thus making many of these decisions. I would assume that if enough interest is expressed, this would help persuade them to do so.

[Lowey]

I think jeff said it for me, I am another non Member that would be interested in such an event, in fact MORE than interested

I would be a guaranteed attendee, I would even be willing to help with anything that needed to be done, If there was anything I could do from so far away

Dean I hope you get the support you are looking for and those who are interested make this event become a reality

[Wai`anae Steve]

Dave,

In pidgin we would say here, "Try read already Bra."

And, as we say here on the mainland:

Make the price a bit more prominent . . . .

Dave...No use da kine big hybolical words..."prominent"

[Wai`anae Steve]

Dean,

Depending on time of year I'd like to attend.

I'll even join one of the two groups to make it "legal"

[ariscott]

Would love to come.... when the kids left home . Both of us are plant nuts, so it is not fair to leave one behind... but for both of us to go, where are we going to put the kids.

Regards, Ari

[Ken Johnson]

Yo. From the East Coast!

I'm a packin up my bags,

I'm gonna head out west,

where real women come equiped with scripts and fake......Kid Rock

Sounds like you could do a "free for all" and invite non IPS members here on PT. May end up being a membership drive!

[LauraAnu]

Hi Guys,

This sounds great. Depending on the time of the year, I am another non member who would be interested. This may be the only time I get to see those wonderful Hawaii palm gardens.

Laura

[DoomsDave]

Dave,

In pidgin we would say here, "Try read already Bra."

And, as we say here on the mainland:

Make the price a bit more prominent . . . .

Dave...No use da kine big hybolical words..."prominent"

Biggah, brah!

[RainForestt Robert]

Dean,

Bo and Kim suggested that I make it over to the Big Island to get the VIP tours and treatment. I would love to attend this event and with some advance notice I can start "saving up". I'm interested.

Robert

[Dypsisdean]

Well, I'm surprised (but pleasantly so) that there seems to be more interest from those of you outside of California. But there still isn't near enough interested participants yet - assuming that when it comes time to make the commitment, half of those who say they are interested will be nowhere to be found.

So if you think you may be interested, speak up.

[Jeff Searle]

I have some serious plans and thoughts about coming. I also would like some IPS funding to help me with all expenses.There must be some kind of loophole somewhere.

Dean, could you please forward all pertinent information so I can get this ball rolling?

Thanks,

Jeff

[Dypsisdean]

I have some serious plans and thoughts about coming. I also would like some IPS funding to help me with all expenses.There must be some kind of loophole somewhere.

Dean, could you please forward all pertinent information so I can get this ball rolling?

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff,

I'm not even sure if you've been invited. Haven't you used your quota for this year already?

Seriously --- this idea is not even close to taking off yet. In fact, it hasn't even left the gate. I have a great tour company willing to organize it professionally, and I can post an itinerary of what they have put together for the San Diego Horticultural Society's tour over here in Nov. - with ocean front rooms w/kitchens, etc. But first, unless we have the amount of participants necessary for negotiating the good rates, we are still stuck at the terminal. I'll post some more info tomorrow. Thanks for your interest. (Another non-Californian)

[RainForestt Robert]

Depending on the dates and advance purchase, airfare would cost me about US$1500, making the overall cost without incidentals about 3G. Workable. Come on guys, make it happen.

Robert

[bgl]

Dean (and everybody else for that matter),

First of all a question (to Dean): has the tour company indicated a minimum needed for this?

These are my thoughts: Once there is a specific plan in place with dates, cost, itinerary (general idea of which gardens to be included) and accomodations, then everyone will have a clear idea of what this is all about, and it's only then that we'll be able to find out who is REALLY interested. It's a Catch 22 situation. Asking general questions at this point may be useful to find out general interest, but as we all know, there's a difference between general interest and firm commitment. Let's also not forget that there would be plenty of interest among non-PalmTalk members. If and when there's a specific plan in place, then that should be announced to as many as possible. An announcement in PALMS and THE PALM JOURNAL as well as other publications will get the word out there.

Considering the fact that the most recent Biennial here in Hawaii was held in May 2004, almost six years ago, and the fact that this event would be at least a year from now means seven years between those two events. Lots of things have happened in those seven years. On a completely personal note, our garden has matured considerably in these seven years and looks very different now. We had 200 participants at that Biennial, but there were still quite a few who didn't make it. There are also many who have become interested, or joined, since then. AND, there are many who were here in 2004 who would be only too happy to return. My guess is that you'd have to be concerned about an upper limit, not about being unable to get the minimum number of people to sign up. And it's pretty clear from the responses here that the interest is from many different areas, which is really great! This could be a pretty amazing event!

Bo-Göran

[PalmatierMeg]

Put me down as interested. I would love to see the Big Island again, more so now that I'm a "palm nut".

[junglegalfla]

Count this Floridian in!!

[OB Burt]

I am certainly interested. It has been about 5 years or more since I was over, and never made it to the Kona side. Saw the Floribunda operation and Bo was kind enough to give me a tour of his place. Those 2 things alone are worth the trip over. I think a rough date and a mention in the Palm Journal would be enough that you would easily have the 30 or so required. There is plenty of enthusiasm, the dollars and scheduling are always the issue.

Burt Repine

[JasonD]

While the Big Island would certain keep everybody busy for a single mini-biennial, O'ahu's public gardens alone would make for a jam-packed "post-mini-biennial." If there were access to O'ahu private gardens, then it could be epic!

I'm interested in Big Island alone or BI+ a second island.

[Shon]

Think of the side trip BS man will take over there." I here there is a Dypsis white stem on Molakai"

[Kathryn]

Craig and I are definitely in. Just let us know when we need to book the flights.

[Jeff Searle]

Think of the side trip BS man will take over there." I here there is a Dypsis white stem on Molakai"

I made a brief visit once to Molakai and trust me, there ain't no Dypsis. Not much of anything actually. What I did see was a nice population of Dwarf Fiji coconuts and with plenty of the nuts barely off the ground.