THANK YOU!

Here is to another successful plant sale! Thank you for coming to this event and spending time at the garden. We hope you picked up a few plants (or a box full) to take home, participated in the various hands-on activities and learned helpful tips and information at the workshops. We appreciate your patience during the morning checkout lines. There were some challenges with the new configuration this year, but we plan to return to the old layout once the construction on the lawn is complete.
Here are a few highlights from the event.

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FRIENDS OF HĀLAWA XERISCAPE GARDEN

WORKSHOP CALENDAR

FRIENDS OF HĀLAWA XERISCAPE GARDEN

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NAIO THRIPS ON OʻAHU

Naio (Myoporum sandwicense) is native Hawaiian plant that is com- monly used in the landscape as a hedge, groundcover (prostrate form) or a specimen plant.

In 2009, Naio Thrips or Myoporum Thrips (Klambothrips myopori) was detected on Hawaiʻi Island. The thrips are tiny, sucking in- sects that damage Naio leaves. The plant forms galls or leaf curl- ing in response to the thrips damage leading to tip and branch dieback., and eventually the plant dies. Insecticides can help knock down the pest population, but will not kill all the thrips. Constant maintenance and inspection is needed to ensure the plants are thrips-free. Despite best efforts on Hawaiʻi island to combat this new insect pest, many of the island’s Naio were killed. Posters and PSAs were posted to educate the public about sanitation protocols to prevent the spread of the thrips to the other Hawaiian island; however, last November, thrips were de- tected in Central Oʻahu. Fortunately, there was a rapid response plan in place and the Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC) and Department of Land and Natural Resources mobilized quickly to identify the extent of the infestation. Since the initial detection, it has spread beyond downtown Honolulu.

It is highly recommended to remove landscape Naio BEFORE they are infested to help reduce the thrips’ food source and habi- tat, and help prevent the spread to wild plants. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the Naio in the garden was infected with thrips. We treated the plant to kill the thrips onsite and decided it would be best to remove the infected plant from the garden to help protect the wild Naio populations.

Thrips can easily be transported to different locations by wind and on clothing/gear. If visiting a known infestation area, people should brush off their clothing (body and hair too) and gear be- fore moving off site. Clothing and footwear used in infested are- as should be washed and dried before using them in another lo- cation.

If you suspect your plant has Naio Thrips, you can contact 643- PEST (643-7378) or visit https://www.643pest.org/ to have someone take a look at it.

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/invasive-species- profiles/naio-thrips/

Photos: (top) Naio plant at the Hālawa Xeriscape Garden (middle) Thrips damage on our Naio (bottom) Adult Thrips– photo courtesy of DLNR

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FRIENDS OF HĀLAWA XERISCAPE GARDEN

WHAT’S NEW AT THE GARDEN

Small Aquaponic System Introduced Into The Hālawa Xeriscape Garden

By Keith Lee

Last year an aquaponic system was installed at the garden, and we are now expanding that system to show different designs and plant phases of growing seeds, vegetables, flowers. The different designs include a grow bed above aquarium, grow beds above an IBC ( Intermediate Bulk Container ), and grow beds utilizing a raft system. Solar panels provide energy to operate a water pump used to circulate the water between the grow beds.

Currently, there is a small aquaponic system using a small aquarium with several tilapia. This small grow bed con- tains green onions, spearmint, strawberry and baby tomato plants. We are constantly testing to see what else we can grow in these grow beds.

As the system expands, it will continue to be powered by solar panels to run the pump that supplies the water to the grow beds from the containers holding the tilapia.

We hope to introduce several plant growing phases and aquaponic designs in this small aquaponic area.

Stop by the garden to see this aquaponic area located be- hind the Main office building.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in getting your hands dirty and spend time outdoors? Or do you want to be more involved with the Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden, but prefer to be indoors?

The Hālawa Xeriscape Garden is looking for volunteers.

Propagation– This group meets on Wednesdays from 9am to 12pm to grow plants to sell at the plant sale in August and throughout the year. Learn to how grow plants from seeds and cuttings from Master Gardeners. No experience needed, just a willingness to get dirt under your fingernails and have fun!
Garden– Under the guidance of the garden staff, you can work alone or in a group to help maintain and im- prove the garden on Wednesdays/Saturdays 9am– 3pm. Work at your own pace weeding or pruning, or tack- ling special projects.
Office– There are a variety of tasks you can help with from making seed packets and informational sheets for the free plant-of-the-month to checking people in to the garden/workshops. Hours: Wednesdays/Saturdays 9am– 3pm.Please contact us at (808)748-5315 for more information or stop by the garden on Wednesdays/Saturdays to learn more about what we do.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ARTHUR AIU
LYNNE BERRY WESTLAKE HEIDI BORNHORST PAULA FUKUDA DOUGLAS HOM
MILDRED KIDANI
PAUL KIKUCHI
RENE KURASAKI
KEITH LEE
JULIANNA LOPEZ
CAROL McAULIFFE
SHERI MIKAMI
WALTER MIYASHIRO DIANE MOSES
WAYNE SASAKI
AMY TSUNEYOSHI
VELMA YOKOYAMA

OFFICERS

AMY TSUNEYOSHI President

DOUGLAS HOM SHERI MIKAMI PAUL KIKUCHI

Vice President Secretary Treasurer

ʻAʻaliʻi Dodonaea viscosa

FRIENDS OF HĀLAWA XERISCAPE GARDEN

Mailing Address P.O. BOX 3089 Honolulu, HI 96802

Garden Address 99-1268 Iwaena Street Aiea, HI 96701

Phone: 808-748-5315
Email: friendsofhalawa@gmail.com

Follow us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ BWSHXG/?fref=ts

Friends of Hālawa Xeriscape Garden is a 501(c)(3) organization to promote water conservation through xeriscaping.

President’s Corner
by Amy Tsuneyoshi

Aloha FOHXG members!

Our new workshop schedule is out and I hope you see something that interests you. I know I will be registering for a workshop or two (or more…). Don’t forget, as a current FOHXG member, you have the benefit of registering for workshops before they are open to the general public. Please take advantage of this perk!

As gardeners, you know a garden is ever evolving. Such is the case with the Hālawa Xeriscape Garden. FOHXG is working with the Board of Water Supply to plan for much needed renovations for the garden. Things are still in the planning stage and the work will be rolled out in phases. Top on the list is the walkway renovation. This will be followed by phased garden improvements- starting with the Kipuka (Hawaiian plants), Garden of Eaten (xeric edibles), and the Oasis (Cactus and Succulent) sections. We look forward to these improvements in the coming years and hope you stop by the garden to see the transition.

Happy gardening! Amy

The Friends of Hālawa Xeriscape Garden wants YOU!

We are looking for candidates to be on our Board of Directors (BOD). It’s a 3 year term with at least 5 BOD meetings and 2 plant sale meetings a year. Nominations and elections will be held during our Annual General Membership meet- ing January 25, 2020. Please contact us for more information.

FOHXG Workshop Schedule

http://www.boardofwatersupply.com/news-events/ workshops/workshop-schedule

Xeric Seed Program

http://www.boardofwatersupply.com/conservation/ xeriscape/xeric-seed-program