The Lyon Arboretum is America's only university botanical garden located in a tropical rainforest. Established by the Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association in 1918, its original purpose was to gather plants of economic value, to identify species of trees for reforestation and to show the value of restoring watersheds. Its mission shifted from forestry to horticulture when it became part of the University of Hawaii-Manoa in 1953.
Today, the Arboretum has an extensive tropical plant collection that emphasizes native Hawaiian species and tropical palms. Sections are also dedicated to aroids, ti, taro, heliconia and ginger. Scientific research, botanical education, species preservation, and community engagement are its primary objectives.
Covering just over 193 acres at the top of the Manoa watershed, at elevations ranging from 450 to 1,850 feet, the Arboretum complex features small cottages and greenhouses, laboratories, classrooms and a "living library'' of horticulture. Its many rainforest trails are accessible for hiking and have been marked to provide learning opportunities for visitors.
Each year, more than 34,000 participants take advantage of the Arboretum's classes, research projects and community activities, or simply walk the grounds to enjoy the plants on display. The facilities here are used regularly by Hui Hana, the Garden Club of Honolulu, and the local Arboretum Association.
Hard as it may be to believe, this lush property was once a wasteland of thickets. Free-ranging cattle had denuded the land prior to 1918. Under the direction of a young Minnesota botanist named Dr. Harold L. Lyon, some 2,000 tree species were planted on the grounds. The project was known as the Manoa Arboretum.
The dense vegetation here now is a testament to Dr. Lyon's reforestation efforts. When he passed away in 1957, the facility was renamed the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum in his honor.
Two popular attractions at the Arboretum are the "Ti Walk'' to the Bromeliad Garden and Inspiration Point, which takes about an hour, and a visit to Aihualama Falls. The waterfall is located along a footpath from the parking lot. The trailhead can be found at the end of Lyon Arboretum Road, and the round-trip walk covers about 1.5 miles.
For self-guided exploration, the gardens are open 9am to 4pm each Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays from 9am to 3pm. Alternatively, one-hour guided tours are available (weekdays only) and start at 10am; a $5 fee applies and reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. The Arboretum closes on Sundays and public holidays.
As part of it community outreach efforts, the Arboretum provides a variety of school activities and adult education courses, including Elderhostel outings. Internships, summer programs and special events are also offered, and three plant sales are scheduled during the year, featuring items from local nurseries in addition to plants grown in the greenhouses here.
The grounds of the Arboretum are available for weddings, receptions, group meetings, parties, concerts, wakes, classes, and other types of events upon request. Professional filming, however, is by permit only.
Guests should sign in at the Lyon Arboretum Visitor Center and receive a trail map before exploring the gardens. There is no charge for admission, although a $5 donation to the University's College of Natural Sciences is recommended. Drinks, snacks, books and gifts are available for purchase at the Visitor Center; plants are sold at the main greenhouse.
The Arboretum is located at 3860 Manoa Road, Honolulu, HI, 96822. The entrance can be reached by taking the Manoa Road from Honolulu until it ends just beyond Paradise Park. Entrance to the Lyon Arboretum is at the end of Manoa Road.
