This weekend, Hawaii is celebrating Arbor Day on Saturday, focusing on trees and community involvement. People of all ages will be participating in activities to enhance the environment, swapping flip-flops for gardening gloves to contribute to the festivities.
The Arbor Day agenda includes tree giveaways, educational activities, and community gardening projects, organized by Kaulunani, the urban and community forestry program. This day is about reconnecting with nature and appreciating the unique Hawaiian ecosystem that these trees support, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources release from the Office of the Governor.
In South Kona, the Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative and Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden are combining culture and cultivation for an Arbor Day event focused on food security and community connections. The event will feature a native plant sale, food trucks, and hula performances. Dana Shapiro, co-founder and CEO of the Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative, stated, "Growing ʻulu enhances community wellbeing and culture by providing connection to place, local history and nourishment," according to the same release.
Dr. Heather McMillen, an urban and community forester with DOFAW, echoes Shapiro's sentiment by encouraging Hawaiians to join in planting trees and nurturing community forests. She emphasizes that each tree planted contributes to the island's wellbeing and offers hope for future generations.
Other islands are also celebrating Arbor Day with local events. In Kauaʻi, the Garden Island Resource Conservation & Development is giving away trees at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center. Oʻahu's Urban Garden Center will showcase grafted fruit trees, while Molokaʻi Land Trust and Maui Nui Botanical Gardens are hosting their own tree giveaways, combining education with the joy of planting. Detailed event information can be found on the Kaulunani website, making it easy for everyone to join in the festivities.
