Although the I had seen sculptures of this beautiful flower in Buddist Temples, I didn’t instantly recognize the first time I saw it. I was strolling through the botanical gardens as Waimea Valley when the large delicate flowers caught my attention. The way the buds open and wilt over a short period of time makes this flower even more alluring. I found myself returning to the flower day after day to catch the shy bud at the peak of its splendor.