Punalu’u Discovery Garden & Lo’i

Guidelines for Groups

These guidelines are offered to ensure that all who visit the Garden enjoy the experience. It is essential to understand that the Punalu’u Discovery Garden and Lo’i is not a park or a playground, but a living collection of plant, animals for discovery in a natural environment. A garden requires a great deal of care; please mālama our precious gift.

- Garden hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4pm or by appointment.

- Be sure to register by calling 237-8500 as soon as possible to confirm the date of your visit. All programs are offered March-October for groups and retreats.

- Groups are limited to (35) individuals.

- Every group should have a ratio of at least one adult per 10 children. For early education programs, a ratio of one adult per 7 children is recommended.

- Children must be accompanied by adult chaperones at all times.

- Garden staff is training in Native Hawaiian entry protocol. Please consider the time it takes to conduct appropriate protocol as part of your visit & learning

time.

- All children's groups registered for a guided program will be met by their instructor or a Garden Guide at the Administrative Entrance to the Garden, at 53-270

Kamehameha Highway, Punalu’u. Pre-registered classes coming by bus for a guided program should be dropped off and picked up at this entrance. Please

be sure to leave enough transition time to unload and use the bathrooms for the Garden by your scheduled time. Classes arriving late will receive a

shortened instruction to accommodate scheduling. Refunds are not available. Bring your group waiver form to deliver before the visit starts. Instructors will

not be assisting with chaperoning children.

- Groups coming by car for a halau learning visits should be dropped off and picked up at the gate at 53-270 Kamehameha Highway, Punalu’u.

- Portable toilets are located in the makai Discovery Garden and the mauka Lo’i areas. Please consider your use before the visit starts.

- Children and their families should wear clothing and footwear appropriate for active, outdoor walking and suitable for shifts in weather.

- We encourage groups to have lunch after finishing the Garden. The Garden has limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis for groups only

in a designated outdoor school lunch area. School groups must be accompanied by the appropriate ratio of adult chaperones during lunch time.

- Potable water is limited at this time. We encourage you to bring your own water.

- This area is flat and easily wheelchair accessible with assistance. Please let us know if individuals will be arriving by wheelchair or if they are physically

challenged, so that we can help you plan your route accordingly.

- If your group is allowed tools to use, please supervise the use of sharp or pointed tools such as rakes, knifes, lawn mowers and tillers. Safety in the garden

is vital. A safety orientation will be provided.

- Do not allow children to climb trees, sprinklers or walk in or on planting beds.

- Please be respectful of the plants and activities by picking only what is yours, unless you have been given permission.

- As in any garden, bees have a home here too. We try not to attract them to the working areas where children might be. Please make do not leave soda cans

or food that would attract them.

- The Garden is a “leave no trace” zone. Please take all your rubbish with you.