Island Life: Bountiful blooms

A vanilla orchid blooms prolifically in Holualoa. Each flower must be hand-pollinated by a human who assumes the role of “pollinator” in the absence of a specialized bee not found in Hawaii. (Mark Chesler/Community contributor)

A vanilla orchid’s flower cluster blooms prolifically in Holualoa. Each flower must be individually hand-pollinated (daily) by a human who assumes the role of “pollinator” in the absence of a specialized bee that is not found in the Hawaiian Islands. (Mark Chesler/Community contributor)