I've been searching for homesteading help in the tropics and I finally found a great website and resource. I stumbled on this site when I was searching for information on poha berry bushes (the lady at the farmers' market said they won't do well at lower elevations. bah!). How can you not love a place that has an entire section labeled "edible/useful perennials"? I can't wait until the next time I'm on the Big Island so I can get a tour of the nursery:
http://www.gaiayoga.org/nursery/index.html
Edible hibiscus, anyone? How about a beautiful perennial spinach that doubles as a groundcover? Have I died and gone to heaven?
Not quite. Unfortunately, they do not grow grapes. I've been on the hunt for grapevines that will do well in a humid coastal climate. Rumors are that the Isabella cultivar does so well here that it has been observed to "go native." I've had several leads on a source but they all led to naught. My next step is to contact the folks at Gaia Yoga and see if they know of anyone.
Happy gardening!
