LIHU‘E — The crowd on Saturday at the 19th annual free tree giveaway came early, and never waned during the three-hour giveaway period at the south parking lot at Kukui Grove Center.
“We were here at 8 a.m. (for the 9 a.m. start time), and yet we were No. 3 in line,” said Noelani Pomroy, a noted lei maker and the floral designer at Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort. “We came because we’re planning on making a lei garden at Island School.”
The lei garden is in accordance with conservation groups’ guidance of utilizing “backyard” components to create lei instead of harvesting material from the forests.
Kumu Sabra Kauka, who was instrumental in establishing the native garden on campus, was also among the community partners that offered education on trees and plants.
“This is interesting,” Kauka said. “I met a doctor who was looking for plants. He asked if we needed help with the Nu‘alolo Kai project.”
The Kaua‘i Landscape Industry Council and its network of community partners, including Kukui Grove Center, Kaulunani Urban &Community Forestry Program, Corteva Agriscience and supporting plant growers and volunteers offered a wide range of plants to satisfy a variety of needs. That included native plants like Alahe‘e, Munroidendron, Mamake, Uhiuhi and various native Hibiscus species.
“These are going home to Anahola,” said Victor Kawelo, who along with his keiki Moiwai and Mamo happily lugged their load of trees. “The kids are happy.”
In addition to offering other noninvasive tree and plant offerings, the free tree giveaway also featured a Keiki Planting Zone where keiki could get their hands dirty while learning how to transplant seedlings they could add to their collection of take-home products from the 2023 Arbor Day Free Tree Giveaway event.
Arbor Day, which varies by state depending on the flowering season, is a holiday that celebrates the planting, upkeep and preservation of trees.
