The Arbor Day Garden Expo & Tree Giveaway
is a one-day event for 2022!

Saturday, November 5th, 9 am to 3 pm at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens

In partnership with Hawaiian Electric Company, Bank of Hawaii Foundation, and Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Maui Nui Botanical Gardens and the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals will host tree and plant care lectures, free hands-on Hawaiian cultural activities, conservation organizations, plants for sale, and a giveaway of more than 1,800 Hawaiian trees. This year will celebrate the beloved ʻŌhiʻa lehua tree, with special guest speakers hosting a “Hale ʻŌhiʻa” with activities and games to earn free ʻōhiʻa trees and prizes.

Presentation Schedule 

 November 5, 2022

9:30 am – ʻĀina Starts at Home (or Every Native Plant Matters) 

Jeff Bagshaw, Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife

Still trying to decide if that space in your yard should be a rose or a native hibiscus?  In old Hawaiʻi everyone understood that ʻaina was synonymous with not just land, but food and it begins at the mountaintops and doesn’t end until you’re over the deep channels of the ocean.  We’ll trace how the plant you take home at this event could connect to fish on the reefs and seabirds traveling the pacific.  With over 250 plant species that have less then 50 individuals in the wild, 423 species of plants that are threatened or endangered overall, every native in every yard matters.

10:15 am – Developing Disease Resistant Koa for Healthy Maui Watersheds

Nicklos Dudley, Hawaiʻi Agriculture Research Center

Koa is a very important tree species ecologically, economically and culturally in Hawaii. There is a huge need to plant degraded lands with koa. However, the high susceptibility of koa to a wilt disease, caused by the Fusarium oxysporum fungus, has made many land managers reluctant to plant this species. Join researcher Nick Dudley as he explains the journey to identify naturally resistant parent trees and establish koa seed orchards that produce koa wilt resistant seeds.

10:45 am – Identifying ʻŌhiʻa Types on Maui for Seed Conservation

Marian Chau, Kalelehua Seed Conservation Consulting/Terraformation

ʻŌhiʻa are remarkable for their diversity and ability to grow in many different ecosystems in Hawaiʻi. As part of the Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) Seed Banking Initiative and the Maui ROD Resistance Project, you can learn how to identify and recognize the 7 different types of ʻōhiʻa found on Maui. You can even use this knowledge to join MNBG’s ongoing efforts to collect and bank seeds of ʻōhiʻa for ROD resistance testing and future restoration. We also hope learning the names and characteristics of these ʻōhiʻa trees helps you build a closer pilina (relationship) with our native forests, the foundation of our island home.

11:30 am – ‘Ōhi’a; talk-story about our favorite tree and efforts to repatriate it throughout its historic range

John Carl Watson, ‘Ōhi’a Legacy Initiative

J.C. Watson, President and Founder of the ‘Ōhi’a Legacy Initiative (OLI) will be sharing about the importance of ‘ōhi’a, the role it plays in the native forest, and OLI’s efforts to connect people to native plants, teach propagation methods, and establish ‘ōhi’a lehua trees in urban areas across the state.

12:15 pm – Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) Update

Ambyr Miyake, ROD Statewide Outreach Coordinator for U.H. Mānoa

  This important update will be presented by Ambyr Miyake, ROD Statewide Outreach Coordinator for UH Manoa. The presentation will cover the background of Ohia, ROD, present locations, and what you can do to help. ROD is responsible for over 1 million dead ohia trees on Hawaii Island and has been found on Kauai, Oahu, and Maui islands. Learn what you can do to help prevent the spread of this deadly disease in your neighborhoods.

1:00 pm- Mālama i ka Aina Award

The Mālama i ka Aina Award has been presented annually since 2003 to a landscaper, plant provider (retail and/or wholesale nurseries and garden shops), or commercial/agricultural property in recognition of their efforts to keep invasive species out of Maui County. The County of Maui, the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, and the Maui Invasive Species Committee sponsor and will present the award.

The winner will be announced at 1:00 p.m. at the Arbor Day Garden Expo and Hawaiian Tree Giveaway on November 5, 2022 at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. The award ceremony will feature a short documentary on the awardee, filmed by Spencer Hyde of Dgtl Film. The Mālama i ka Aina awardee will receive a koa plaque, a glass sculpture of a native species by artist Jupiter Nielsen, a one-year free membership with the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, and local media recognition.

Past Mālama i ka Aina Award recipients were recognized for meaningful efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species, including incorporating codes of conduct in business practices, educating the public and clients about invasive species, and encouraging the use of native species in landscape design.

1:45 pm – Tree Planting Demonstration

Hannah Lutgen, Maui Ornamental Extension Agent

Please join this demonstration to watch and learn how to properly plant a tree followed by a question and answer session. Participants are welcome to ask Hannah questions related to plant care, health, and pest and diseases.

Educational Videos

View these videos any time to learn some basics about tree care.

Proper Planting & Mulching Techniques with Hannah Lutgen

Basic Irrigation Repairs

Benefits of Composting