HĀLAWA XERISCAPE GARDEN CLOSED ON AUGUST 19, 2026

WHAT:          The Board of Water Supply’s (BWS) Hālawa Xeriscape Garden will be closed to the general public on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. WHERE:       Hālawa Xeriscape Garden 99-1268 Iwaena Street Hālawa Valley’s Central Park Industrial Area DETAILS:     The Hālawa Xeriscape Garden (HXG) will be closed to the general public on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 due to a power outage. The garden will be open to the public during normal hours from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on all other Wednesdays in the month of August. The HXG is a three-acre demonstration garden that displays a series of unthirsty, water-conserving plants in a visually attractive garden. The BWS opened the garden to the public in September 1989 as a way to educate Oʻahu residents on ways to save water outdoors in lawns, gardens, and landscaped areas. For more information contact the BWS Communications Office at (808) 748-5041 or by email at contactus@hbws.org.

Contact: Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui
Telephone: (808) 748-5319

July 24, 2026

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY’S HĀLAWA XERISCAPE GARDEN
CLOSED ON AUGUST 5, 2026

WHAT:  The Board of Water Supply’s (BWS) Hālawa Xeriscape Garden will be closed to the general public on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

WHERE:  Hālawa Xeriscape Garden
99-1268 Iwaena Street
Hālawa Valley’s Central Park Industrial Area

DETAILS:   The Hālawa Xeriscape Garden (HXG) will be closed to the general public on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.  The garden will be open to the public during normal hours from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on all other Wednesdays in the month of August.

The HXG is a three-acre demonstration garden that displays a series of unthirsty, water-conserving plants in a visually attractive garden. The BWS opened the garden to the public in September 1989 as a way to educate Oʻahu residents on ways to save water outdoors in lawns, gardens, and landscaped areas.

For more information contact the BWS Communications Office at (808) 748-5041 or by email at contactus@hbws.org.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply and the
Friends of Hālawa Xeriscape Garden
to Hold Annual Unthirsty Plant Sale
Saturday, August 1, 2026, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

HONOLULU  –  Hālawa Xeriscape Garden,  nestled in Hālawa Valley, will form the backdrop of the annual Unthirsty Plant Sale, presented by the Board of Water Supply and the Friends of Hālawa Xeriscape Garden, on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Unthirsty Plant Sale, located at 99-1268 Iwaena St., is ideal for plant lovers of all skill levels — including those who do not have a green thumb. Shoppers will find an abundance of low-maintenance, drought-resistant plants on sale. Only major credit cards are accepted.

“Outdoor watering can account for 30-50% of a household’s total water usage,” said Ernie Lau, manager and chief engineer of the Board of Water Supply. “Xeriscape plants allow you to have all the benefits of a garden without extensive watering and can help to reduce your monthly water bill.”

Members of the Friends of Hālawa Xeriscape Garden receive “early bird” entry and a 10 percent discount on their plant purchases.

The plant sale will feature rows of tables filled with native Hawaiian, varieties of succulents and cacti along with many other xeriscape plants from local plant vendors. Visit our many community partners and government agency booths featuring informative and interactive displays and giveaways. Answers to plant care and maintenance questions will be available from the Plant Doctors, courtesy of the University of Hawai‘i Master Gardeners. Hawaiian Earth Recycling once again made a generous donation of compost for a free give away during the event, one per person.

Free street parking along Iwaena Street. Free shuttle service from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. to the Unthirsty Plant Sale, courtesy of the Board of Water Supply.

For more information, please visit www.boardofwatersupply.com or email contactus@hbws.org or call 808-748-5315.

Contact: Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui
Telephone: (808) 748-5319
June 26, 2026

BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY’S
HĀLAWA XERISCAPE GARDEN
CLOSURE DATES FOR THE MONTH OF JULY

WHAT:
The Board of Water Supply’s (BWS) Hālawa Xeriscape Garden will be closed to the general public on Wednesday, July 1 & 29, 2026.

WHERE:
Hālawa Xeriscape Garden
99-1268 Iwaena Street
Hālawa Valley’s Central Park Industrial Area

DETAILS:
The Hālawa Xeriscape Garden (HXG) will be closed to the general public on Wednesday, July 1 & 29, 2026 to complete maintenance projects.  The garden will be open to the public during normal hours from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on all other Wednesdays in the month of July.

The HXG is a three-acre demonstration garden that displays a series of unthirsty, water-conserving plants in a visually attractive garden. The BWS opened the garden to the public in September 1989 as a way to educate Oʻahu residents on ways to save water outdoors in lawns, gardens, and landscaped areas.

For more information contact the BWS Communications Office at (808) 748-5041 or by email at contactus@hbws.org.

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About the Board of Water Supply

The Board of Water Supply (BWS), a semi-autonomous agency of the City and County of Honolulu, manages Oʻahu’s municipal water resources and distribution system. As the largest water utility in the State, the BWS serves approximately one million customers on Oʻahu. The BWS embraces its mission of “Water for Life – Ka Wai Ola” to provide a safe, dependable, and affordable water supply, now and into the future.  Uwē  ka lani, ola ka honua – “When the heavens weep, the earth lives.” For more information about the BWS, visit www.boardofwatersupply.com.

WHAT:
The Board of Water Supply’s (BWS) Hālawa Xeriscape Garden will be closed to the general public on Wednesday, May 6 & 27, 2026.

WHERE:
Hālawa Xeriscape Garden
99-1268 Iwaena Street
Hālawa Valley’s Central Park Industrial Area

DETAILS:
The Hālawa Xeriscape Garden (HXG) will be closed to the general public on Wednesday, May 6 & 27, 2026.  The garden will be open to the public during normal hours from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on all other Wednesdays in the month of May.

The HXG is a three-acre demonstration garden that displays a series of unthirsty, water-conserving plants in a visually attractive garden. The BWS opened the garden to the public in September 1989 as a way to educate Oʻahu residents on ways to save water outdoors in lawns, gardens, and landscaped areas.

For more information contact the BWS Communications Office at (808) 748-5041 or by email at contactus@hbws.org.

RSVP for FOHXG Annual General Membership Meeting on Saturday, January 24, 2026 9:30am at Halawa Xeriscape Garden

Volunteer Opportunity

The Board of Water Supply and Oʻahu Master Gardeners are partnering to bring you a free soil workshop at Hālawa Xeriscape Garden! Included in the day is a pH test of your 1/2-cup soil sample, plus a garden tour & garden give-back (light weeding). Registration is through Eventbrite, July 9 to 16.

Scan the QR code or head to:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dig-in-soil-malama-aina-day-tickets-1461987767769

Dig In! – A Soil Workshop & Mālama ʻĀina

Saturday, July 19, 2025 | 9:00–11:00 AM | Hālawa Xeriscape Garden

9:00 AM – Mālama ʻāina (weeding)
9:30 AM – Garden tour with soil intro
9:45 AM – How to take a soil sample
10:00 AM – Intro to soil testing, including pH, nutrients, amendments, fertilizers
– Intro to landscaping with native plants and food plants around your home
– How to contact the Master Gardener Program with questions
10:45 AM – Optional Q&A
11:00 AM – Bring your lunch and enjoy the garden! We’ll provide light snacks.

For those with a garden, bring the following to share with the other attendees:

1) Half a cup of soil to test its pH
2) Photos of your plants on a cell phone. (We might be able to diagnose your plant challenges with those photos.)

We will do our best to help you improve your soil and will connect you with the MG Helpline for further assistance. Our main objectives are to help home gardeners produce food and to encourage planting of native and Polynesian-introduced plants.

Youth under 18 must be accompanied by adult/guardian.

Bring a water bottle, closed-toe shoes with tread, sunscreen, bug spray, and hat. Lightweight long sleeves and pants recommended. Carpooling recommended.

Photos: Kupu Hawaiʻi staff helping at HXG and field trip at UH Urban Garden Center.

Aloha from Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden,

Save the Date!  Announcing our 2025 Annual Unthirsty Plant Sale on Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 9am-1pm at Halawa Xeriscape Garden, featuring beautiful drought tolerant plants and conservation resource information booths. Please plan to come early to our event this year and note the earlier end time at 1pm. Payments with major credit card only.

Current FOHXG members will show their valid membership card for early bird entry at 8:30 a.m. and 10% off plant purchases. Please view the plant sale flyer at the link below.

Click to download the flier PDF

 

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Time to Join or renew your FOHXG Membership

Your membership helps us to continue our mission to promote outdoor water conservation through the use of Xeriscape.
Completed membership applications with check payment must be received at our P.O. box by July 15, 2025 in order to be processed before plant sale day. Click the link below to download a FOHXG membership application. You may also email or call us by July 1, 2025 to request a form be sent to you. Completed applications with check payment should be mailed to our PO Box.  Any recently renewed memberships and Lifetime members membership cards will be mail out by July 15, 2025.  Please contact us with any questions at smikami@hbws.org or (808) 748-5315.

Download the FOHXG Membership Application PDF

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Garden Updates

Thank you for your patience and please note the garden will be closed to the public on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 for garden maintenance and July 30, 2025 to prepare for our annual Plant Sale Event. 

Volunteer Opportunities: If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a garden or nursery volunteer at Halawa Xeriscape Garden, please contact us at smikami@hbws.org or (808)748-5315.

Thank you very much to everyone who helped us before, during and after our Annual Unthirsty Plant Sale! It was a big success and we really appreciate your support! We will continue to keep you updated on garden workdays and events all to support our mission of promoting outdoor water conservation through xeriscape.

Please note our updated Garden Public Open Hours

Wednesdays, 9AM – 1PM and

Pre-announced Saturdays 9AM-1PM (9AM – Noon:Garden Workdays).

Closure dates will be posted on-line and on-site.

www.boardofwatersupply.com.