LIHU‘E — Arbor Day is celebrated on the first Friday in November in Hawai‘i, and people can collect free plants Saturday during the free Arbor Day Hawai‘i Kaua‘i Drive-Thru Tree Giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon at Kukui Grove Center.
More than a thousand plants, including 28 different species, will be available. Face masks are required, and social distancing will be enforced.
Included in the offering are 14 different native species, including ‘a‘ali‘i, alahe‘e, hao, koai‘a, koki‘a (the Hibiscus kokio ssp saitjjohnianus (or orange), koki‘o ke‘ok‘o, koki‘o ‘ula, koki‘o ‘ula‘ula, kou, kulu‘i, loulu, ma‘o hau hele, or the state’s official state flower, and ‘ohi‘a.
Sponsored by the Kaua‘i Landscape Industry Council with help from the Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program, state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife program, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, the Garden Island Resource Conservation &Development, Inc., the National Tropical Botanical Garden, the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee, Kaua‘i Nursery &Landscaping, Alaka‘i Landscaping, Kukui Grove Center, McBryde Resources, Inc., Corteva Agriscience and more, the event celebrates the perfect time to plant a tree during the start of Hawai‘i’s rainy season.
Arbor Day is a globally-celebrated observance dedicated to honoring, planting and enjoy the benefits of trees. Hawai‘i has recognized Arbor Day for more than 110 years in November, when communities gather to celebrate trees.
Info: arbordayhawaii.org
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
