HONOLULU –Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, a Bishop Museum facility located in Kona, will offer visitors a free hour-and-a-half tour of its collection of native plants on Saturday, December 11, 2004 at 10 a.m.

The Garden displays and interprets over 250 types of plants of importance to traditional Hawaiian culture, including many rare and unusual specimens. Nearly every plant was used in ancient living, and many, like the coconut, had many uses. Virtually every part of the coconut tree was used, and from it, Hawaiians fashioned food, shelter, utensils, rope, musical instruments, and toys.

The Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden is located in South Kona on the Mamalahoa Highway. Admission is a suggested donation of $4 per person and free for Bishop Museum Association members. For more information, visit www.bishopmuseum.org or call (808) 323-3318.

The Saturday tour is an initiative under the Office of Innovation and Improvement of the U.S. Department of Education. Education through Cultural & Historical Organizations, also known as ECHO, provides educational enrichment to Native and non-Native children and lifelong learners. This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.