SPECIAL

OPENING OF ALIKA RABBIT GARDEN, a Hawai'i adaption of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," with an interactive journey for children and adults with Alika, in a romp through Uncle Kim's garden, full of tempting common and unusual vegetables; also: garden tours, crafts, learning activities, entertainment, live rabbit display, seed packet giveaway for children; mini-plant sale, rose display and sale, keiki garden games; 9 a.m.-12 p.m. May 8, University of Hawai'i-Mānoa, Urban Garden Center, Pearl City (makai of Home Depot); free; 453-6050, www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ougc.

LYON ARBORETUM NATIONAL PUBLIC GARDENS DAY events, including free activities in Children's and Family gardens, and sale of some arboretum plants, May 8, at the arboretum, 3860 Mānoa Road; information, 988-0461, www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum:

• Orchid culture class, 9-11 a.m., $20, registration required.

• Guided garden tours, 10 a.m.

• Self-guided tours, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

ORCHIDS

MILILANI ORCHID CLUB MOTHER'S DAY ORCHID AND PLANT SALE, including corsages and cut flowers, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. May 8, Mililani Mauka Elementary School; 221-8269.

MILILANI ORCHID SOCIETY SHOW, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. May 8, Mililani Uka Elementary School; free; 247-3345.

HAWAI'I KAI ORCHID SOCIETY SHOW, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. May 8, Hawai'i Kai Shopping Center; free; 247-3345.

ORCHID CULTURE CLASS, including culture and care, major types, potting, watering, temperature and light requirements, fertilizing and pest control; 9-11 a.m., May 8, Lyon Arboretum; $20; registration, 988-0461.

UPCOMING

"ALL ABOUT BAMBOO," presentation on new bamboo species and bamboo uses, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; and plant sale (including bamboo artifacts and utensils),11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.,, May 15, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Kāne'ohe; 537-1708.

KĀNE'OHE HIGASHI HONGWANJI PLANT SALE, annual fundraiser for capital improvements, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., May 15; public invited; information, 247-2661.

"BUILDING FOR COMFORT AND SAVINGS," seminar by Evan Fujimoto, president, Graham Builders, with information on designing a "green," more Earth-friendly home (including energy and water management, the benefits of bamboo, and "edible" landscaping), 9-11 a.m. May 15 (check-in, 8:30 a.m.), Honolulu Country Club; free; open to the public; reservations required, 593-2808, ext. 108.

LAUHALA TURTLE-MAKING CLASS, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays, through May 26, Foster Botanical Gardens; $10 (plus garden admission); reservations: 522-7064.

BETTY CROCKER LANDSCAPE AWARD NOMINATIONS sought, honoring the best in local garden and landscape projects and their creators, in four categories: private homeowners, professional landscapers, volunteers for public or private projects and xeriscape gardens. Nominations deadline: May 21, with project's name, address and phone, principal project architect and nominator's name/contact: Jason Umemoto, 970 N. Kalāheo Ave., Suite A-306, Kailua, HI 96734, or Betty crockerawards@gmail.com; 254-8702.

ONGOING

SECOND SATURDAY AT THE GARDEN, a 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.-noon, second Saturdays monthly; Pearl City Urban Garden Center; free; www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ougc, 453-6055.

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, http://volcanoartcenter.org.

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

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

HO'OMALUHIA PRESCHOOL 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 center; recommended: walking shoes, insect repellent, rain gear; information, 233-7323

WEED & POT CLUB at Maui Nui Botanical Garden, 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, Kāne'ohe; recommended: No. 4 round brush, Bristol paper, watercolor set or pencils; free; reservations, 233-7323.

MAKIKI FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT, volunteers needed for Makiki Watershed Awareness Initiative forest restoration, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. fourth Saturday of each month; weed, pick up branches, plant, water and fertilize; wear long pants, long sleeves, shoes or boots, gloves, insect repellent and bring water and lunch; meet at Makiki forestry base yard above new Hawaii Nature Center; 973-9782.

FREE GARDEN MULCH, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, Hālawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1269 Iwaena St.; 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, Kāne'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; information: 988-0456.