Christopher Dunn of the Lyon Arboretum says, "So when people go, they leave a message, leave with a better understanding of what the Hawaiian environment is about, what the topical environment is about and why we need to conserve them."

There are a few staffers at the arboretum looking after the acres and acres of native plants. 

But Dunn says the arboretum depends on volunteers to supplement those efforts.

"Yes, we do.  It is critical.  And many organizations like ours, botanic gardens, museums and others are woefully understaffed.  We do the best we can but we rely very heavily on volunteers.  They really make the difference,” he said.

Jerry Tucker is one such volunteer.  He says, ”I decided when I retired which was quite a while ago that I wanted to do some volunteer work and the arboretum just appeals to me.  It's a magnificent, magnificent place it really is."

Volunteers receive training before they go to work with the staff.

"They learn about the history of the arboretum, what our mission is, what our vision is, how we're trying to relate to the community and then when they're working - and something about the flora and the layout of the arboretum and what the most important collections are,” said Dunn.

The arboretum can always use more volunteers to help in the field and to be docents.