It's all in the details!
FOREST BATHING IN A RAIN FOREST
at HAROLD L. LYON ARBORETUM (3860 Manoa Road)
at HAROLD L. LYON ARBORETUM (3860 Manoa Road)
- Lyon Arboretum lies deep in the rain forests of Manoa Valley in Honolulu, on the island of O‘ahu. The setting is dramatic, surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs. Open to the public, yet still a relatively unknown destination, this nearly 200-acre tropical botanical garden with 2,000 species of trees onsite and lots of bird life is an ideal forest bathing location.
- Over the course of 2.5 - 3 hours, we'll traverse just about half a mile across terrain with some slight elevation changes.
- Your guide will give you some background on the practice of forest bathing, then offer a series of sensory-opening invitations. There will be opportunities to sit and reflect, as well as to interact and share your observations with other walk participants.
- The experience concludes with a tea ceremony (tea foraged from the forest) and light, healthy snacks (often locally sourced).
- Walks proceed even if it's raining, and only canceled if conditions are hazardous or if the Arboretum needs to close. See FAQ page for what to wear and other preparation tips.
- Small groups of no more than ten allow for an intimate experience, as well as safe physical distancing. See FAQ page for additional safety protocols.
- Parking is free at the Arboretum, though limited. Please carpool or use other "green transportation" options, if possible. The entrance is just half a mile from a City bus stop (#5 Ala Moana/Manoa). NOTE: If driving or being driven, please go past the paid parking lot next to the former Paradise Park, where hikers to Mānoa Falls will park. Continue to the very end of Mānoa Road where you'll see the trailhead sign for Mānoa Falls. To your left, you'll see a gate for Lyon Arboretum.
- Plan to arrive at the gates around 8:45am. Please enter only when gates are swung completely open.
- Meet your guide at the Visitor Center, at the far end of the Arboretum parking lot, at the end of the winding road within the Arboretum.
- Participants should be able to sit on the ground or stand for 15 minutes, plus raise and lower themselves from sitting.
- Minimum age 16 years old.
- Liability waiver completed in advance by each participant and proof of vaccination (shown on arrival) required.
- Further directions and reminders will be sent two days before event.
NANAKULI LOOKOUT TRAIL
at CAMP PALEHUA (1 Palehua Road, Kapolei)
at CAMP PALEHUA (1 Palehua Road, Kapolei)
- Our newest forest bathing experience on Oʻahu's Westside in the Waiʻanae Mountains incorporates a relatively easy hike and a unique place-based learning opportunity.
- The Nanakuli Lookout trailhead is on the private grounds managed by Camp Palehua. Before forest bathing, we'll hike for about half a mile on some rocky ground with some incline (see photo on this page). On this portion of the experience, you'll be guided by a Camp staff member, who is also a Hawaiian cultural practitioner and educator. They'll share with you moʻolelo (stories) of the land and the archeological sites along the trail.
- We'll continue more slowly into the eucalyptus forest with sensory-opening invitations facilitated by Phyllis, your certified forest therapy guide. At a spectacular outlook with a famous legend of its own, we'll pause for tea and snacks, then return to Camp together.
- Total distance: ~2 miles. Elevation change: ~1,000 feet. Time: ~4 hours.
- The Camp is about 20 minutes from the H-1 Makakilo exit and requires a code for the gated entrance to the one-lane Pālehua Road. Accessible via private vehicles only.
- Parking is free on the Camp grounds; however, space is limited and carpooling is recommended.
- Plan to arrive around 8:45am and meet your guides at the Camp's Office.
- This tour has a minimum of 4 persons, maximum of 8.
- Minimum age 16 years old.
- Both Forest Bathing Hawaiʻi's liability waiver and Camp Palehua's online waiver completed in advance by each participant, plus proof of vaccination and a temperature check on arrival are required.
- Further directions and the gate passcode will be sent about two days before event.
- The Nanakuli Lookout trail has been named by Honolulu Magazine one of the best family- friendly trails on the island. Unlike a traditional forest bathing path, however, part of it is still a hike and requires good physical fitness and ability to negotiate uneven ground and inclines. For the safety of the group, Forest Bathing Hawaiʻi reserves the right to deny entry to those who are not able to traverse the terrain at a moderate pace or who have not met other requirements. Guide's determination is final; a 15% refund will be offered to those who have overestimated their hiking abilities and asked to leave the tour.
