Introduction

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The Harold L. Lyon Arboretum in Honolulu, Hawaii is the only university-operated botanical garden that is located in a tropical rainforest currently in the US. Consisting of over 200 acres of land, the Arboretum is home to a number of native Hawaiian plant species and its own seed bank. Founded as the Manoa Arboretum in 1918 with the intent to test numerous tree species for reforestation as well as watershed restoration, the Arboretum was named in honor of its most dedicated botanist, Harold L. Lyon in 1957. Since then, the Arboretum is home to scholars of biology, botany, engineering, geography, horticulture and more, attracting over 34,000 participants each year. The on-site facilities house research conducted on native Hawaiian plants, conservation biology and Hawaiian ethnobotany. Also on the grounds are small cottages and greenhouses for teaching and education.

The Arboretum serves as an example of how native Hawaiian species can thrive in an undeveloped environment. While Hawaii’s largest industry is tourism, a cash cow for our local economy, the Hawaiian ecosystem must be maintained and balanced. As of right now, the scale of tourist development and environmental protection measures is tipping in favor of development. The Lyon Arboretum stands to balance that scale so that we can both have a thriving tourism industry as well as a healthy environment. The unique situation Hawaii finds itself in is something of a paradox. One on hand we would love to welcome as many guests as we can to the islands to share their beauty and tranquility. On the other hand, it is the very beauty of our ecosystems that bring in tourists by the million each year. Striking a balance is the only solution to our decaying plant and animal species, while having a healthy number of visitors to enjoy them.