The Ni’aulani Nature Trail is always open to the general public. Volcano Art Center provides brochures to facilitate self-guided rain forest tours during business hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Volcano Art Center holds free tours through a rare Hawaiian Rain Forest known as Ni’aulani. Trained interpretative tour guides lead guests along an easy 1/7-mile loop trail while sharing the ecological, cultural/spiritual importance of Ni’aulani and Hawaiian rain forests in general. Be introduced first-hand to the four main components of a Hawaiian rain forest: tree ferns, filmy ferns, epiphytes, and nurse logs. See representatives of familiar plant families and learn why native species–such as mint-less mints, nettle-less nettles, briar-less briars, as well as thorn-less raspberries and hollies–differ after having evolved to Hawai’i’s ecosystems. Understand what ongoing upkeep is required to maintain the integrity of this old-growth rain forest. These tours are conducted rain or shine; please bring a rain jacket. Reservations are not required. Donations to Volcano Art Center are warmly welcomed.
Custom Hawaiian rain forest tours can be arranged any day of the week for a nominal fee. Tour content can be adjusted to suit any individual or groups’ needs.
Visual art instruction can be added to customized tours or as a stand-alone enrichment program.
Contact us for more information.
Hawaiian Rain Forest 