Lyon Arboretum
Honolulu, HI Hours and Location

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Closed: Sundays, State and Federal Holidays

Admission

• free – general public
• $5.00 – requested donation

About Us

Lyon Arboretum

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.

The Arboretum is responsible for:

• Developing a major resource center for tropical plants with Hawaii/Pacific Basin/Asian focus, by enhancing its living plant collection, and establishing an appropriate reference library and herbarium. Making its collections and information available to a broad clientele including students, researchers, industry, and the general public, by performing and disseminating the results of research, by appropriate outreach and educational activities, and through plant and seed exchange programs.
• Serving as an outdoor laboratory for school and university students and classes.
• Importing, identifying, improving through breeding, and introduction to the public, plants useful for horticulture, research, education, or industry.
• Preserving and propagating germplasm of endangered plant species, especially those native to Hawaii. Special attention is given to the use of micropropagation and tissue culture technology in conservation of Hawaiian plants.
• Developing a research and training program in restoration of Hawaiian ecosystems. Serving as a University field station for terrestrial biology and stream biology.

Facts About Lyon:

• Area: 193.5 acres (78.3 hectares)
• Elevation: 450 to 1850 feet (137 to 564 meters)
• Average Temperature: 78° F; 25.6° C
• Temperature: ranges from 52° F to 90° F; 11.1° C to 32.2° C
• Average Rainfall: 165 inches annually; 4190 mm annually
• Annual Rainfall: ranges from 90 to 210 inches; 2280 to 5330 mm

Directions

Driving Directions

Coming from King Street (driving east)

Turn left on Punahou St., past Punahou School, take the left fork (Mānoa Road) and continue up the valley, staying on Mānoa Road until it ends just beyond Paradise Park. Entrance to the Lyon Arboretum is at the end of Mānoa Road.

Coming from University Avenue

Drive up the valley (mauka) past the University of Hawai`i. University Avenue narrows at the top of the hill and turns into O`ahu Avenue. Continue mauka on O`ahu Avenue. At the five-way intersection of Lowry Avenue and Mānoa Road, continue on to Mānoa Road, following it to the Lyon Arboretum entrance, just beyond Paradise Park. Continue up to the Arboretum’s driveway to the parking lot, adjacent to the Arboretum’s Visitor Center.

Via Public Transit

Using Public Transportation (TheBus)

Take the #5 bus into Mānoa valley, and get off at the last bus stop. From there, it’s about a 0.6 mile walk up past Paradise Park to the arboretum.

Call TheBus information center at (808) 848-5555 or visit their website for more information.