SPECIAL

HOLIDAY HOURS, HÄLAWA XERISCAPE GARDEN, Saturdays: 9 a.m.-noon, Dec. 12 and 19; closed, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2; normal hours, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., resume Jan. 9; 748-5041, www.boardofwatersupply.com.

"POINSETTIAS!," care tips from master gardeners and garden volunteers; sale of poinsettias and herbs, and chance to stroll the garden and learn about tropical gardening; 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Dec. 12; Pearl City Urban Garden Center; free; 453-6055, www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ougc.

EVENTS

DR. HILLEBRAND TOUR of trees planted by first gardener of Foster Botanical Garden, led by docent Liesel Vander Leeden; 1 p.m. Dec. 12; Foster Botanical Garden; requires park admission; reservations: 522-7066.

FREE KONA GARDEN TOUR, of Amy B.H. Greenwell Botanical Garden's native Hawaiian plants, with emphasis on cultural uses; 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 12, at the garden, Kona, Big Island; 808-323-3318.

MEDICINAL PLANTS TOUR; 1 p.m. Dec. 19, Foster Botanical Garden; reservations required; admission fee; 522-7066..

GARDEN GREEN HOUR, outdoor green activities for families, a respite from TV, computers and video games; 2-3 p.m. Dec. 23 and 30; free; Wahiawä Botanical Garden; 621-5463.

ONGOING

SELF-DIRECTED BOTANICAL DRAWING AND PAINTING, rendering of plants, flowers, seeds and pods from the garden; 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 16, Wahiawä Botanical Garden; free; information/registration, 621-5463.

NIAULANI NATURE WALK, guided tour through an old-growth forest; 9:30 a.m. Mondays; Volcano Art Center's Niaulani campus, Volcano Village, Big Island; 808-967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

TUESDAYS AT KANAHÄ, weekly beach cleanup and plant maintenance, coordinated by Community Pride at Kanahä Beach Park, Maui, 8-10 a.m. Tuesdays, at the park; Valerie Vines Magee, 808-264-1454.

MÄNOA HERITAGE CENTER, discover an old Hawaiian heiau and native plants while learning Mänoa Valley's history; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; Mänoa Heritage Center; $7 general, $4 seniors and military, students free; visits and tours by reservation only: 988-1287, www.manoaheritagecenter.org.

HO'OMALUHIA PRE-SCHOOL NATURE HOUR (for ages 3-5) with stories, songs, crafts and nature hikes (optional picnic lunch); 10:30 a.m., third Tuesday monthly; from visitor's center; recommended: walking shoes, insect repellent, rain gear; information, 233-7323

WEED & POT CLUB at Maui Nui Botanical Garden meets 8:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 150 Kanaloa Ave., Kahului, Maui, to do beautification and maintenance work; tools, gloves, drinking water provided; wear shoes; 808-249-2798.

BOTANICAL DRAWING AND PAINTING, rendering of plants, flowers, seeds and pods from the garden; 9:30 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Käne'ohe; recommended: No. 4 round brush, Bristol paper, watercolor set or pencils; free; reservations, 233-7323.

SECOND SATURDAY AT THE GARDEN, series of events offering a chance to stroll the garden and learn about tropical gardening from certified Hawai'i master gardeners and center volunteers; 9 a.m.-12 p.m., second Saturday monthly; Pearl City Urban Garden Center; free; www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ougc, 453-6055.

MAKIKI FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT, volunteers needed for Makiki Watershed Awareness Initiative forest restoration project, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. fourth Saturday of each month; weed, pick up branches, plant, water and fertilize; bring long pants, long-sleeved shirt, shoes or boots, gloves, insect repellent, water and lunch; meet at Makiki forestry base yard above new Hawaii Nature Center (from Makiki Street, take a left onto Makiki Heights Drive; the area entrance is before first hairpin turn); 973-9782.

FREE GARDEN MULCH 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, Hälawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1269 Iwaena St.; self-service; www.boardofwatersupply.com, 748-5041.

HO'OMALUHIA FAMILY CATCH AND RELEASE FISHING, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, yearlong, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Käne'ohe; recommended: walking shoes, insect repellent, rain protection, barbless hooks and fishing gear; free; reservations, 233-7323.

LYON ARBORETUM WORKDAY, weeding and garden maintenance with arboretum grounds crew, first Saturday monthly; times/information: 988-0455.

NIAULANI FOREST WORKDAY, volunteers needed, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., third Sunday of each month; Volcano Art Center, Niaulani campus, Volcano Village, Big Island; 808-967-8222.

WHAT'S BLOOMING/WHAT'S BEARING FRUIT WITH DAVID ORR, walking tour of Waimea Valley with botanical collections specialist David Orr, 2-3 p.m., first and third Sundays; recommended: snack, insect repellent, sunscreen, hat, water and sturdy shoes; free with paid park admission; reservations, 638-7766.

LYON ARBORETUM classes and workshops on invasive plants, organic gardening, traditional Hawaiian crafts, flower arranging, garden photography, field sketching and nature journaling, special children's classes and more, at the arboretum, 3860 Mänoa Road; schedule at www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum; register: 988-0461.

LYON ARBORETUM GUIDED TOURS, view plants and tour the arboretum's Ethnobotany Garden, Spice Hill, native plant collection and waterfall; 10 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays; at the arboretum, Mänoa Valley; $5; reservations, 988-0461.

GARDEN TOUR, one-mile (1 1/2-hour) "easy" guided walk; 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily (keiki-focused tour at 1 p.m. Sundays); Senator Fong's Plantation and Gardens; $14.50, discounts for kama'äina; 239-6775.

"PLANTS OF PARADISE" GARDEN TOUR of the Bishop Museum gardens, 11 a.m. daily; from Hawaiian Hall entrance; admission required; 847-3511.

FOSTER BOTANICAL GARDEN seeks volunteers to help maintain butterfly garden, including general maintenance; 373-4200.

KAUA'I BOTANICAL GARDEN,'volunteers needed to protect rare plants and ecosystems at the National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kaua'i; 808-332-7324, ext. 228, or volunteer@ntbg.org.