About
The Lyon Arboretum is nestled in 193.5 acres of tropical rain forest at the top of the Manoa Valley watershed. Just 5 miles from the bustle of Waikiki, Lyon Arboretum serves as a cultural and scientific resource to urban O`ahu’s diverse communities. With over 5,000 taxa of tropical and sub-tropical plants to be found throughout our grounds, over seven miles of hiking trails, and an elevation gradient that starts at 450 feet and rises to 1850 feet above sea level, the Lyon Arboretum has much to offer to all.
A vital resource for the University of Hawai`i system-wide, Lyon Arboretum provides the scientific community with many research opportunities. As a cultural and community resource, we host approximately 50,000 visitors each year who participate in classes, research projects, volunteer and other community activities, or explore our extensive trails and plant collections.
The Harold L. Lyon Arboretum coordinates, facilitates, and executes research, instruction, and service activities that utilize its collections and resources. Its major emphases are tropical plants, native Hawaiian plants, conservation biology, and Hawaiian ethnobotany.
