Lyon Arboretum - University of Hawai'i at Mānoa

Lyon Arboretum - University of Hawai'i at Mānoa The Lyon Arboretum and botanical garden is a nearly 200-acre collection of plants in the tropical rainforest of Mānoa Valley in O'ahu, Hawai'i. The Harold L.

RESERVATION REQUIRED as of 10/5/2020. To reserve, visit our website https://manoa.hawaii.edu/lyon/ 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 p

lants 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. 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

A moment of magnolia magic ✨With its elegant petals and unforgettable fragrance, this magnificent magnolia bloom is a re...
06/19/2026

A moment of magnolia magic ✨

With its elegant petals and unforgettable fragrance, this magnificent magnolia bloom is a reminder of nature’s beauty. Take a closer look and discover the details that make these iconic flowers so captivating.

Have you spotted a magnolia blooming on your visit to Lyon Arboretum?

🌿A landscape that reminds us why conservation matters🌿Nestled beneath the Koʻolau mountains, Lyon Arboretum is a living ...
06/17/2026

🌿A landscape that reminds us why conservation matters🌿

Nestled beneath the Koʻolau mountains, Lyon Arboretum is a living classroom. It’s a sanctuary for native and tropical plants and a reminder of Hawaiʻi’s incredible biodiversity. From the tree ferns to forest canopies, there’s always something new to discover at Lyon!

Taking a closer look at nature 🔬🌿The tiny details hidden in leaves, seeds, spores, and stems reveal a whole new world wh...
06/11/2026

Taking a closer look at nature 🔬🌿

The tiny details hidden in leaves, seeds, spores, and stems reveal a whole new world when viewed under a microscope. These familiar pieces of nature become abstract works of art at a microscopic scale.

Can you guess what you’re looking at? Drop your guesses below! 👇

Pink Lotus Bloom 🪷A beautiful lotus in bloom at Lyon Arboretum! The sacred lotus or pink lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is kno...
06/09/2026

Pink Lotus Bloom 🪷
A beautiful lotus in bloom at Lyon Arboretum! The sacred lotus or pink lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is known for rising from water to produce stunning flowers, symbolizing purity and resilience. 💗✨🍃

Our arborist Tylor helped clear a fallen Albizia branch that was blocking the road to Paradise Park, Manoa Falls Trail, ...
06/03/2026

Our arborist Tylor helped clear a fallen Albizia branch that was blocking the road to Paradise Park, Manoa Falls Trail, and Lyon Arboretum.

Albizia is an invasive species known for its brittle wood. We are currently working on removing these species at the arboretum and Manoa Valley. We’re always happy to help our neighbors while spreading awareness about the importance of managing these trees. 🌳🤙

CLOSURE NOTICE 🚨 We will be closed today, Monday, June 1st. Mahalo for your patience and understanding please come again...
06/01/2026

CLOSURE NOTICE 🚨
We will be closed today, Monday, June 1st. Mahalo for your patience and understanding please come again soon!

Green Carnivorous Giant 💚🪰This massive vibrant pitcher stopped us in our tracks in the Lyon Arboretum greenhouse.“Coming...
05/30/2026

Green Carnivorous Giant 💚🪰

This massive vibrant pitcher stopped us in our tracks in the Lyon Arboretum greenhouse.

“Coming in at nearly 15 inches, this N. x ‘Insigcata’ ranks amongst the biggest pitchers we’ve ever grown at Lyon Arboretum,” says our horticulturist Timothy Kroessig. “It’s BIG and green and could probably eat a small rodent or bird!” 🌿🪰

This impressive carnivorous plant is a hybrid of Nepenthes insignis × truncata, bred and selected by Sam Estes of Leilani Nepenthes Nursery.

Picture Credit: Timothy Kroessig

Join Lyon Arboretum at Bishop Museum’s 2026 Science & Sustainability Festival 🌿🔬We’re excited to be participating in thi...
05/28/2026

Join Lyon Arboretum at Bishop Museum’s 2026 Science & Sustainability Festival 🌿🔬

We’re excited to be participating in this community event celebrating science, sustainability, and Hawaiʻi’s biodiversity. Stop by the Lyon Arboretum booth to learn more about native plants, conservation, and the work happening in Mānoa Valley.

📍 Bishop Museum
📅 Saturday, May 30, 2026
⏰ 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

We hope to see you there!

Address

3860 Manoa Road
Honolulu, HI
96822

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+18089880456

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