Kahanu Garden Facts for Kids

Kahanu Garden and Preserve is a special botanical garden found on the Hana Highway near Hana, on the island of Maui, Hawaii. It's one of five gardens run by the National Tropical Botanical Garden, a group that works to protect tropical plants. The other gardens are in Hawaii and Florida.

This beautiful garden was started in 1972 on Maui's northern coast. It has amazing black lava rock formations near the ocean. The garden is surrounded by one of Hawaii's last untouched forests of hala trees (Pandanus tectorius).

Plants of the Pacific Islands
- The Amazing Breadfruit Collection
- Other Important Plants
Piʻilanihale Heiau: An Ancient Temple
- Building the Heiau
- History of the Temple
Images for kids
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Plants of the Pacific Islands

Kahanu Garden is famous for its plant collections. These plants were traditionally used by people from the Pacific Islands. This study of how people use plants is called ethnobotany.

The Amazing Breadfruit Collection

The garden has the world's largest collection of breadfruit trees. This collection started in the 1970s. Today, you can find about 150 different types of breadfruit here. These varieties were gathered from over 17 Pacific island groups. They came from places like Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia. Some also came from Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Seychelles. This huge collection helps scientists research and protect breadfruit for the future.

Other Important Plants

Besides breadfruit, Kahanu Garden grows many other interesting plants. These include bamboo, banana, and calabash. You can also see coconut trees, kava, and kamani (Calophyllum inophyllum). Other plants are loʻulu (Pritchardia arecina), sugarcane, taro, turmeric, vanilla, and bitter yam (Dioscorea bulbifera).

Kahanu Garden is open for visitors to explore. There is a small fee to enter.

Piʻilanihale Heiau: An Ancient Temple

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Piʻilanihale Heiau
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark

Sketch of the heiau
Location in Hawaii
Nearest city	Hāna, Hawaiʻi
Area	3 acres (12,000 m²)
NRHP reference No.	66000300
Added to NRHP	October 15, 1966
Designated NHL	January 29, 1964

Inside Kahanu Garden, you'll find the incredible Piʻilanihale Heiau. This ancient temple is a National Historic Landmark. Many believe it is the largest ancient temple in all the Hawaiian Islands.

Building the Heiau

The heiau is built from large basalt blocks. It measures about 341 feet (104 m) long and 415 feet (126 m) wide. Its front wall rises impressively to 50 feet (15 m) high. The main part of the temple has a large central area with two separate platforms. These platforms sit on a wide ridge, which makes the temple look even grander.

The side of the heiau facing the sea has five stepped terraces that rise steeply. The top part of the main platform has several smaller walled areas and pits. A strong stone wall, up to 8 feet (2.4 m) high, borders the back of the temple.

History of the Temple

The main part of the temple was built a long time ago, in the 14th century. Later, in the 16th century, more sections were added. These new parts were dedicated, possibly after a powerful chief named Piʻilani took over the Hāna region. Chief Piʻilani came from western Maui. He united the entire island by conquering the beautiful and fertile Hāna area.