Three generations,one island.
Palmento Grove is Garifuna-owned and family-run. These are the people who will welcome you to Kalipuna Cultural Heritage Island.
From a small bar to a cultural island.
It began with a small bar that Pa Euge started.
His daughter, Uwahnie, came to Hopkins with a vision to grow it, and with his support it became Palmento Grove.
Today the family welcomes you together: grandfather, mother, and the next generation.
The faces you will meet.
Pa Euge
Pesselli Eugene Martinez
He walks guests through the garden and the spiritual center, sharing what the trees and herbs are for and the history behind our practices. Elected Mayor of Punta Gorda at 24, the youngest in its history.
Uwahnie Martinez
She left a fourteen-year banking career rather than stop speaking Garifuna at work, came home to Hopkins, and built Palmento Grove with her father’s support.
Wasani Martinez
Uwahnie’s son and Pa Euge’s grandson, with first-class honours in ecology and environmental science from UWI. He leads our lagoon nature tours, including bioluminescent kayaking, is a PADI scuba instructor, and looks after our marketing and online operations.
Rayton Martinez
Uwahnie’s nephew and Pa Euge’s grandson. He began drumming at five, mesmerised by the elders’ beats. With no drum, he started on a milk pan, graduated to a bucket, and saved up for his own Garifuna drum. Now he teaches you.
Nadia Martinez
Uwahnie’s sister-in-law, and Aunt Nadia to all of us. She teaches our guests traditional Garifuna dances.
Diamond Martinez
Uwahnie’s daughter and Pa Euge’s granddaughter, Dye to the family. She teaches our guests traditional Garifuna dances.
Tyana Nunez
Uwahnie’s daughter-in-law, known to everyone as Tee. A certified massage therapist, she offers deep tissue and hot stone massage, and facials.
Come and meet us.
Cook, drum and rest with our family on the island.