Michael (Mike) DeMotta has served as Assistant Director of Living Collections and Horticulture for the NTBG organization since the latter part of 2006. He previously served as Horticulturist and then Manager of Living Collections at NTBG’s Limahuli Garden and Preserve.
Mr. DeMotta was born and raised in Honolulu and attended the University of Hawai`i. His interest in horticulture was inherited from his family, and he began growing orchids and ferns at the age of 12. His exposure in school to Hawaiian studies and the art of hula led to a keen interest in native Hawaiian plants, which he began growing in earnest in 1997. During this time he developed many of his own techniques to germinate plants from seeds and cuttings which were otherwise difficult to grow.
He oversees the living collections and horticultural practices of the organization’s gardens, with a particular focus on the collections at NTBG’s southshore gardens and adjacent Headquarters.
Mr. DeMotta was born and raised in Honolulu and attended the University of Hawai`i. His interest in horticulture was inherited from his family, and he began growing orchids and ferns at the age of 12. His exposure in school to Hawaiian studies and the art of hula led to a keen interest in native Hawaiian plants, which he began growing in earnest in 1997. During this time he developed many of his own techniques to germinate plants from seeds and cuttings which were otherwise difficult to grow.
He oversees the living collections and horticultural practices of the organization’s gardens, with a particular focus on the collections at NTBG’s southshore gardens and adjacent Headquarters.
For a full listing of NTBG Staff, please see the NTBG Staff Page
