KALAHEO — Mother’s Day is Sunday and National Tropical Botanical Garden will celebrate by opening its doors to the public. It’s all free. “It’s the 25th time we’ve done it over the years,” said Janet Leopold, NTBG spokeswoman. “We do
KALAHEO — Mother’s Day is Sunday and National Tropical Botanical Garden will celebrate by opening its doors to the public. It’s all free.
“It’s the 25th time we’ve done it over the years,” said Janet Leopold, NTBG spokeswoman. “We do it every Mother’s Day.”
The event begins at 9 a.m. at NTBG’s Southshore Visitors Center on Lawai Road, across from Spouting Horn. The showcase of the day is the free, self-guided walking tours of the Allerton Garden, in the Lawai Valley.
“There is no age limitation during out Mother’s Day Open House,” Leopold said. “It’s great for families. Some people come back year after year.”
Garden vehicles will take visitors on a first-come, first-served basis into the valley starting with the first group of departures at 9:30 a.m. Vehicles will run in and out of the valley throughout the morning. Those in line by 1 p.m. will make the final departures.
Returns to the Visitors Center will run throughout the day. Before leaving the valley, Leopold said attendees will have a chance to enter a drawing for door prizes.
All are encouraged to bring or purchase a refillable water bottle and wear comfortable walking shoes. No coolers or tripods will be accommodated.
Leopold said there will be a number of activities happening at the Visitors Center, including a craft fair, keiki activities from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., food for purchase and shopping in NTBG’s gift shop.
As part of NTBG’s Breadfruit Institute’s “Plant a Tree of Life” initiative, a limited number of breadfruit trees will be given away from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“This community event is possible through the dedication of NTBG’s staff and volunteers,” states a release for the event.
NTBG is a nonprofit institution with nearly 2,000 acres of gardens and preserves in Hawai‘i and Florida. Its mission is to enrich life through discovery, scientific research, conservation, and education by perpetuating the survival of plants, ecosystems, and cultural knowledge of tropical regions.
This year marks the 25th time that NTBG’s Southshore Gardens have encouraged local families to bring moms free to the Garden on this special day.
“We love doing it for the island,” Leopold said.
For more information visit ntbg.org or call 332-7324.
