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Harold L. Lyon Arboretum
University of Hawaii, Manoa Valley

Information about the Lyon Arboretum in the Manoa Valley on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

Introduction to the Lyon Arboretum
The Harold L. Lyon Arboretum is a 200 acre tropical botanical garden located in the upper end of Honolulu's Manoa Valley. The arboretum features a lowland tropical rainforest surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides.

History of the Lyon Arboretum
The Hawaii Sugar Planters Association purchased the arboretum land in 1918 as part of a reforesting project for the In 1953 the land was acquired by the University of Hawaii and it was used to propagate ginger, heliconia, bromeliads, and aroids. The Lyon Arboretum was founded in 1972 as a research unit of the University of Hawaii, College of Natural Sciences. It is used by faculty, staff, and visiting scientists to study tropical plant life with a special emphasis on native Hawaiian plants.

Tours and Opening Hours
The Lyon Arboretum is open to the public Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Closed Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Wear good walking shoes, bring insect repellant, and be prepared for rain. Self guided tours are always available and occasionally there also guided tours. Contact 808-988-0456 to check on the availability of guided tours.

Trails in the Lyon Arboretum
It takes about an hour to hike round trip from the parking lot to the Bromeliad Garden and Inspiration Point. Visitors can also hike to Aihualama Falls by hiking from the parking lot to the end of Lyon Arboretum road, then taking the footpath on the left. The round trip hike to the falls is about 1.5 miles. The trail head to Manoa Falls, which is not on the Lyon Arboretum grounds, is located just outside of the entrance to the Lyon Arboretum.

Trail Maps and Descriptions (PDF files)

Trail Descriptions

Arboretum Map

Small Garden Map

News About the Lyon Arboretum

2006 Aug 04: Lyon Arboretum Resumes Guided Tours

2005 Aug 24: Preserving the Lyon Arboretum

2005 Jan 03: Arboretum Reopens to the Public

2004 Dec 21: Arboretum To Re-Open in January

2004 Oct 06: Part of Lyon Arboretum Open to Volunteers

2004 Sep 07: Arboretum Shutdown Effects Still Spreading

2004 Aug 28: Safety Concerns Close Lyon Arboretum

2004 Feb 19: Grant for Arboretum Shi Wu Tea Lodge

2004 Apr 30: Arboretum Director Resigns

2003 Jan 17: Lyon Arboretum Native Hawaiian Garden

Virtual Tour of the Lyon Arboretum
To view this online tour of the main road of the Lyon Arboretum, either select a number on the map or select "Begin Tour" at the bottom of the page.

Lyon Arboretum
University of Hawaii at Manoa
3860 Manoa Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
Phone: 808-988-0456 | Fax: 808-988-0462
Official Web Site: Hawaii.edu - Lyon Arboretum

See also:

Other Botanical Gardens on Oahu

Attractions on Oahu

Activities on Oahu

Editor Kathie Fry

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