June 26, 2006
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Witherspoon
or Jocelyn Collado
Becker Communications
(808) 533-4165
AMY GREENWELL ETHNOBOTANICAL GARDEN HOSTS JULY ACTIVITIES FOR NATURE LOVERS
CAPTAIN COOK, HAWAI’I – Bishop Museum’s Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden hosts a trio of Saturday events in July that will educate, inspire, and entertain nature lovers and those interested in learning more about Hawai‘i’s endemic flora and fauna.
Free Tour ~ Saturday, July 8, 10 a.m.
Visitors and residents are invited to explore Hawaii ’s native plants on a free tour of the Amy Greenwell Garden . Among the featured plants is sandalwood, which is endemic to Hawai’i . There are several types of sandalwood that are found nowhere else in the world but in Hawai’i , and in ancient times, the fragrant wood was ground into a powder and used to scent kapa. During the 19 th century, sandalwood became nearly extinct as it was sold for foreign goods and currency.
The hour-and-a-half tour consists of about a half-mile of easy walking and offers a look at many of the most important plant resources of traditional Hawaiian culture. The tour is free, but donations are encouraged and reservations are suggested for large groups.
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.
Plant Grafting Workshop ~ Saturday, July 8, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
The Garden continues its monthly series of workshops in July with a focus on plant grafting techniques. Kona farmer and horticulturalist Sunao Kadooka will share his unique, user-friendly techniques and tips. Kadooka is experienced in grafting many types of fruit trees and ornamental plants, and lately has been working on native hibiscus plants. Workshop participants should bring a sharp knife for the hands-on portion of the class.
The workshop fee is $15 and free for Bishop Museum members. This program is supported by Bishop Museum and Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program (NHCAP).
Clean-Up Day ~ Saturday, July 22, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Calling all green thumbs ! Your help is needed in sprucing up the 12-acre garden in Captain Cook. The collective effort will include some touch up of the lowland forest areas and hand weeding, raking, and general clean up under the koa and ‘ōhi‘a trees in the upland forest section.
Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, and their favorite hand tools. Snacks and drinks will be provided; however, volunteers are encouraged to bring lunch.
For more information or to register for these events, call (808) 323-3318.
The Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden is a Bishop Museum facility, located in South Kona on the Mamalahoa Highway . During the year, more than 9,000 visitors experience the Garden and explore the plants of traditional Kona. The Garden is a regular stop for school tours, and people of all ages enjoy workshops on traditional Hawaiian arts. Admission is a suggested donation of $4 per person and free for Bishop Museum members. For more information, call (808) 323-3318.