Gardens at the Arboretum

Continuing up the road, you will find the parking lot to the left. Adjacent to the parking lot is the main greenhouse home to species that are being prepared for life in the wild. Scattered within the vicinity of the greenhouse are a number of specialized gardens. First you find the Young Memorial Garden, a serene environment including lotus sculptures and a small pond with a gazebo. Here, azaleas and water lilies can be found when in bloom. Farther down the path lies the herb and spice garden. This eclectic mix of herbs and spices from around the world is organized by global regions from which they originate. Such regions include European, African, Mediterranean, Chinese, and New World. Spices found in the garden include Cola Nut, Nutmeg, Clove, Allspice, and Bay Rum.

Located just north of the herb and spice garden is the Native Hawaiian Garden. The largest and most important garden, the Native Hawaiian Garden boasts an impressive collection of plants native to the Hawaiian Islands. Included are species that grow best at an elevation of around 500 feet and serve as inspiration for local landscaping. While most species are from the island on which the Arboretum is located, several species were harvested from neighboring islands. Before visiting the gardens, one should pick up a brochure that describes the species found here as well as their history. In the brochure, you will find that the gardens include three panels with information regarding the species found. First is the history of the plants and how they reached the Hawaiian Islands, as well as their path of evolution since then. The second focuses on endangered species and what can be done to preserve their wellbeing. The third is about the Oahu Amakihi, the only native honeycreeper bird at the Arboretum, and one that has developed a resistance to avian malaria and pox. Each panel stresses the importance of the species before you and why they are at the Arboretum itself. Learning the importance and significance of these plants and animals instills a sense of responsibility in visitors who wish to see Hawaii remain beautiful for years to come.

Taking the small trail by the Native Hawaiian Garden will lead you to the Hawaiian Ethnobotany Garden. Ethnobotany is the study of how plants and humans interact. The native Hawaiian culture has a long-standing history of utilizing plants for everything from their diet to clothing to canoes. The garden’s primary focus is to raise awareness of the cultural importance many of these plants have had on the Hawaiian people. The garden features over 60 native plant species, 27 of which were brought over by boat more than 1700 years ago. Many of these species have since been used for medicine, weaponry, clothing and food. The garden is broken down into two other components, each with a focus on a specific use. First you will find the medicinal garden, specializing in plant species used to cure illness. Next to that is the taro conservation garden, centering on the taro plant, a staple of the Hawaiian diet. Once cooked and mashed into a paste called poi, this dish has been a part of the Hawaiian diet for thousands of years. Here, you will find several species of taro including wetland and dry varieties. The plant species found at the Native Hawaiian Garden hold special meaning beyond their aesthetic beauty. Such plants as the taro are sacred to the Native peoples and are believed to contain spirits within them. This garden’s goal is to have visitors understand the intrinsic value of these plants beyond their nutritional or medicinal worth.