SPECIAL

HOLIDAY WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOPS:

• Volcano Art Center's annual "Festive Wreath Making" workshop, a hands-on session for beginning, experienced or returning students with local gourd and fiber artist Jelena Clay, on using native and non-native local foliage; 1-4:30 p.m. Nov. 15; Volcano Village, Big Island; $70 (some financial aid available), includes materials (bring old scissors and garden shears); early registration advised, 808-967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

• Xeriscape Holiday Wreath Workshops using "less-thirsty" xeriscape plants, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, Hälawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1268 Iwaena St.; $5/public, members free; registration closes Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 (certain supplies required), 748-5363; information, 748-5041, www.boardofwatersupply.com.

"TREES!," one of a series of "Second Saturday at the Garden" opportunities to stroll the University of Hawai'i Urban Garden, Pearl City, and learn from garden volunteers; 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Nov. 14, this week featuring tree pruning demonstrations (9:30 and 10:30 a.m.), and book signing with local expert, Paul Weissich of his new book, "Small Trees for the Tropical Landscape"; no registration required; free; information, www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ougc, 453-6055.

"KALAMUNGAY: THE UNTHIRSTY MIRACLE TREE" WORKSHOP on the water-saving and nutritional benefits of the traditional Filipino ingredient for soups and stews, with Theodore Radovich, of the University of Hawai'i-Mänoa Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Science; 10-11 a.m. Nov. 21, Hälawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1268 Iwaena St.; $5/public, members free; registration closes Nov. 20, 748-5363; information, 748-5041, www.boardofwatersupply.com.

EVENTS

HOME ENERGY AUDIT WORKSHOP, on finding wasted energy use, and making improvements to home cooling, hot water heating, lighting and other energy uses; 10:30-12 p.m., Nov. 14; The Green House, 224 Pakohana St., Pauoa; registration required, 524-8427, www.thegreenhousehawaii.com.

FREE GARDEN TOUR, of the Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden's native Hawaiian plant collection, and chance to learn about their traditional cultural uses; 10-11:30 a.m. Nov. 14, at the garden; Kona (Big Island); information, 808-323-3318.

RAIN BARREL WATER CATCHMENT WORKSHOP, co-sponsored by city Board of Water Supply, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Nov. 14, Hälawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1268 Iwaena St.; $5/lecture, or $35 including a take-home 55-gallon rain barrel; registration by Nov. 11, 748-5363.

BOTANICAL ARTS: DRAWING IN THE GARDEN, drawing class for both beginners and advanced students; 9-11:30 a.m. Saturdays Nov. 14 and 28; Lyon Arboretum, Mänoa; limited class size; $100; register, 988-0461, www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum.

DR. HILLEBRAND TOUR of trees planted by the first gardener of Foster Botanical Garden, led by docent Liesel Vander Leeden; 1 p.m. Nov. 14 and Dec. 12; Foster Botanical Garden; requires park admission; reservations: 522-7066.

"PERMACULTURE IN HAWAI'I," course on permaculture, the conservation of world life and resources, and sustaining growth in different ecosystems; one of a number of UH-Mänoa fall noncredit classes; 3-4:30 p.m. Nov. 15; Olomana Gardens, 41-1140 Waikupanaha St.; $20; reservations, 956-8400 or www.outreach.hawaii.edu/noncredit/registration.asp.

"ANGELS, ANGELS, ANGELS" workshops on making different angles using natural materials; 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Nov. 16 and 18, Foster Botanical Garden; $10 (plus garden admission); required reservations, 522-7064.

AIR LAYERING BASICS WORKSHOP, 10-11 a.m. Nov. 19, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden; free; required reservations, 522-7064.

"THE SECRETS OF PLANT PROPAGATION," 9-10 a.m. Nov. 20, Wahiawä Botanical Garden; price/required reservations, 621-5463.

"PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR GARDEN" with digital camera, 9-11 a.m. Nov. 20, Foster Botanical Garden; garden admission required; required reservations, 522-7064.

MEDICINAL PLANTS TOUR, of plants and trees used as natural remedies; 1 p.m. Nov. 21, Foster Botanical Garden; reservations required; regular admission fee to garden applies; 522-7066.

HO'OMALUHIA BIRD WALK, 7:30-10 a.m. Nov. 21, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Käne'ohe; free (suggested: long pants, long-sleeved shirt, walking shoes, rain gear, insect repellent and water); required reservations, 233-7323.

3-D FROGS AND GARDEN CRITTERS ART CONTEST, sponsored by Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, open to the public in five age categories. Contest rules and registration available through Nov. 25 at the park; contest deadline, 4 p.m. Nov. 28. Entries will be displayed at the park visitor center Dec. 5-30. Information, 233-7323.

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

ONGOING

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 (Nov. 17 topic, leaves; Dec. 15, bamboo); 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.

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.

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 as part of Makiki Watershed Awareness Initiative forest restoration project, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. fourth Saturday of each month; 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 of the rain forest, 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; meet at Hawaiian Hall entrance; museum admission required; 847-3511.

FOSTER BOTANICAL GARDEN seeks volunteers to help maintain butterfly garden, including ongoing deadheading, replanting and 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.