Garden founders Joyce and Ed Doty retired to Kaua‘i from their ranch in Northern California in 1982. What was begun as a landscape project in their front yard has grown to 240 acres that have been developed into a myriad of diverse gardens, complete with one of the largest collections of bronze sculpture in the United States. In 1999 the Dotys created a not-for-profit foundation, to which they donated the entire gardens. At that time Na ‘Āina Kai was opened to the public for tours and events. The Foundation’s mission supports and promotes tropical horticulture, agriculture and forestry, in addition to a constantly evolving garden and art experience for Kauai’s residents and visitors.