Man is a relative newcomer to the Hawaiian Islands. Preceding him by a stretch of time hard to imagine were the ancestors of plants now growing in the Islands. Some of them evolved into strange new colors and shapes.

The first plants came as seeds in the stomachs of far-ranging birds, or drifting on currents touching the shores of these far lands. Some plants were brought by the Polynesian discoverers of Hawaii, still others were introduced by later settlers.

All leaped to life in the fertile soil. Their interesting and colorful history is detailed in a charming botanical Museum in Nani Mau Gardens. Displays and exhibits show how some plants adapted to their new home in the most remote inhabited landfall on earth, and how others are now threatened with extinction. The Botanical Museum also illuminates why the Hawaiians had so many words for plants; logical for people who embraced, and were embraced by nature here.

The Botanical Museum is a place to handle hula instruments crafted from plants, cut out a quilt pattern inspired by nature, or watch a video about Hawaiian plants used in healing, or see a craftsman create a work of art such as woven lauhala or carved koa.