Before the 1940s the land the Arboretum sits on was used to farm food, medicine and fiber-producing plants. From 1946 until the mid-1950s, it became an agricultural work site for prisoners at Ke'anae Prison Camp. It was established as an arboretum in 1971.[1]
The arboretum lies alongside the Piinaau Stream on taro cultivation terraces and within a rainforest, and contains two short walking trails. It contains about 150 varieties of native and introduced tropical plants, including gingers, hibiscus, papaya, and various types of taro.[2][3] Trees are labeled with common name, scientific name, and origin.
