Kahanu Garden, National Tropical Botanical Garden

Hawaii, United States

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Kahanu Garden, part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Maui’s northern coast, covers 484 acres and is named after Chief Kahanu, the land's historic owner in the 1800s.

The garden centers around Piʻilanihale Heiau, the largest ancient temple in Polynesia, built over several centuries starting in the 13th century by Hawaiian chiefs. The site was once a fertile agricultural area with extensive taro fields and other crops brought by early Polynesian settlers. In 1974, descendants of Chief Kahanu deeded the initial 61 acres to the National Tropical Botanical Garden with a commitment to restore the heiau and care for sacred family burial sites.

The garden preserves extensive collections of native and traditional Polynesian plants, including taro, breadfruit, and sugarcane, arranged across ecological zones. It serves as a cultural and botanical sanctuary, offering visitors insights into Hawaiian history, traditional farming practices, and the spiritual significance of the land. The restoration and preservation of Piʻilanihale Heiau and these collections took decades of dedicated efforts involving staff and volunteers.