Just a short 20-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of urban Honolulu is the lush rain forest of Mānoa Valley. There, at Lyon Arboretum, where the winds dance in the tree tops, the waters fall, and the birds sing of the abundant fruits, you’ll come home, back to yourself and your senses.
Forest Bathing Hawaiʻi's walks have been recommended by The New York Times and listed as one of the top five travel experiences in the world by Forbes.
How is the experience?
You’ll be greeted at the gate to the Lyon Arboretum by your certified forest therapy guide and meet the other participants (if any) in your small group.
Together we will walk in this 100+-year old public botanical garden, called “land of the dripping dew” by its first stewards, the Hawaiians. Surrounded by majestic cliffs, it is now home to more than 6000 species of tropical plants from around the world and a multitude of easy walking paths.
No forest bathing walk is the same, but constants are a variety of invitations to open your senses – such as to listen in the moment with your entire body to all the voices around you – and afterwards to share what you noticed. The two-hour experience closes with a tea ceremony featuring one of the healing plants found on the land.
While COVID-19 protocols remain in place (social distancing observed throughout), rather than unmasking to eat and drink on site, participants are given a complimentary “goodie bag” containing a commercially bottled tea (made from the Hawaiian māmaki) and a snack to enjoy later at home.
Forest bathing at Lyon Arboretum has been recommended by The New York Times in its popular “36 Hours” series, as well as in National Geographic, among other publications.
Images of the actual walk
Who is the host?
Aloha, I’m Phyllis Look, the founder of Forest Bathing Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi’s first certified forest therapy guide. I received my training and certification from the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides & Programs and have now guided more than 180 walks. I am also certified in Wilderness First Aid (WFA), as well as a Certified Forest Therapy Trail Consultant.
I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai‘I and my family has lived in the same valley in which I now guide for more than 60 years. The early part of my career was spent in the professional theatre on the US mainland; later, back on O‘ahu, in marketing and communications. But I've always loved the outdoors. An avid hiker, I belong to the Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club and have trekked in the Grand Canyon and in Provence, France. I also practice Iyengar Yoga.
What are people saying?
I was so fortunate to join a forest bathing walk, just before parks and gardens closed on Oʻahu. It was a blissful, restorative experience, and Phyllis is a highly knowledgeable and compassionate guide. I was completely present with Phyllis and my forest bathing friends in nature for a full two hours: truly listening, looking, and breathing in the forest at Lyon Arboretum. It was a healing spiritual experience that has sustained me through the subsequent weeks of lockdown. I look forward to more forest bathing walks, whether in-person or online.
Kelly, Honolulu
As a busy professional who sits behind a desk and is constantly glued to my mobile device, I intellectually understand the value of disconnecting and slowing down; but actually doing it is easier said than done. This forest bathing experience was a chance to have a dedicated escape from a schedule and that feeling like you should be more productive than you are. Phyllis is a certified guide in this industry of natural healing, and you could tell. She was kind, intentional, helpful and welcoming.
Sam, California
This was an incredible experience! Phyllis was the most amazing guide. I’ve done forest bathing on my own, but the presence of a gentle guiding voice to keep you focused and in-the-moment greatly enhances the experience. I felt like all of my senses were in overdrive (in a good way). After our time in the forest, I was so calm and present and soft, and that feeling stuck for the rest of the day. Highly recommended for forest enthusiasts and anyone who wants to (or needs to) learn to slow down.
Gina, Oregon
Peace, focus, tranquility. These are just a few words that describe a Forest Bath facilitated by Phyllis Look. We are fortunate to be surrounded by natural wonders in Hawai‘i, but it is easy to ignore them and take them for granted. With gentle intention, Phyllis guided all of us into opening our eyes, hearts, and minds to a deeper level of harmony and healing, with meaningful and lasting results. Highly recommended.
John, Honolulu
When I hike, I love being out in nature, but to be honest, I don't really absorb much of what is going on around me. I'm more fixed on my goal. Forest bathing is a totally different experience and much healthier for your mind and spirit! With Phyllis there to guide you, you will see everything around you in a new way. It was an amazing, uplifting experience and truly something you should try!!!
Crysttal, Honolulu
I discovered a well of gratitude. -- Sheryl, Honolulu
A beautiful, soothing and liberating experience! Phyllis is a wonderful, unobtrusive, calm, kind and inspired guide in the truest sense of the word. Mahalo nui loa! Live, take a forest bath, understand, repeat...
Meg, Germany
I think it was the best experience in Hawaii. Thank you. 大変素晴らしい時間を過ごせました｡経験を日常に持ち帰って実践していきたいなと思いました｡ありがとうございます｡
Mao, Japan
A one of a kind experience! Everyone needs to go Forest Bathing! Loved every mindful step including the tea ceremony at the end. A great way to de-stress, heal, connect with self and nature. Highly recommend you experience this at least once. But I know you'll want to go again.
Karen, Honolulu
I thoroughly enjoyed my forest bathing experience with Phyllis. I believe the ability to pay attention to the details of nature and really connect with it is a powerful way to reduce stress, enhance creativity and reground yourself. This experience was an invitation to do just that. The more you’re able to open yourself up and listen, the more you’ll get out of the experience.
Lauren, Honolulu
Price
US$50 per person for public walks; private walks are also available
Schedule
Walks are scheduled on Fridays
All walks are scheduled at 0900 Hawaii Standard Time
Duration: 2 hours
Intrusions
The in-person walks are scheduled in the morning hours for optimum quiet and maximum birdlife activity. To reduce exposure to the COVID virus, Lyon Arboretum has reduced access to the gardens, thus other human presence is barely felt. While one may hear, at times, voices of other humans or the mechanical sounds involved in grounds maintenance, the vast (nearly 200-acre) garden allows one to distance and seek quieter routes. There are the occasional rescue helicopters in the airspace above, though far fewer during the pandemic; and because of the general quiet, one may be able to faintly detect in the distance the most obtrusive sounds of suburban life (sirens, dogs barking, construction, leaf blowers).
Contact Host
Terms and Conditions: By submitting the form, you accept the following conditions:
Signed waiver of liability is required by 12 hours before the walk.
If you need to cancel for health or any other reasons, please notify Forest Bathing Hawai’i at least 3 hours before the walk and you will be refunded (minus the QPI service charges and any payment processing/transfer fees).
The walk will go on even if it's raining. I will cancel only if conditions are hazardous, if I'm incapacitated, or if the Arboretum needs to shut down. You will be contacted via email asap if there's a cancellation for those reasons. You will be refunded for walks cancelled by Forest Bathing Hawaiʻi.