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Featured Workshop Videos


SUCCULENT PUMPKINS (2022)
Happy Fall! Make your own succulent topped pumpkin or pumpkin planter to display or give away.


Posted: September 21, 2022

 

SUCCULENT PUMPKINS (2022):
Happy Fall! Make your own succulent topped pumpkin or pumpkin planter to display or give away.


Posted: September 21, 2022

XERIC LEI:
In this easy DIY video we will show you the the basic tips to sew a lei using beautiful xeric flowers.


Posted: April 27, 2022

 

XERIC MINI ZEN GARDEN:
Your Xeric Mini Zen Garden will bring a bit of serenity and nature to your countertop where you can take a break from your busy life to clear your mind and reflect on your thoughts.


Posted: January 26, 2022

SUCCULENT WREATH:
Check out our Succulent Wreath Workshop Video! Craft your own custom made living succulent holiday wreath using succulents that conserve water in outdoor garden areas.


Posted: December 14, 2021

 

SUCCULENT PUMPKINS:
Make your own succulent topped pumpkin or pumpkin planter to display or give away.


Posted: November 02, 2021

DRAGON FRUIT
Learn how to grow and harvest your own healthy and tasty dragon fruit.


Posted: September 21, 2021

 

DIY IDEA: SUCCULENT TERRARIUM
Just in time for spring! Here's how to build your own low-maintenance succulent terrarium.


Posted: April 16, 2021

SPECIAL WORKSHOP: XERIC HOLIDAY WREATH
Craft an eye-catching and colorful holiday wreath using plants that conserve water in outdoor garden areas!


Posted: December 20, 2020

 

HOLIDAY WIRE HANGER XERIC WREATH
Just in time for the holidays, quick and beautiful Spanish Moss star and heart decorations!


Posted: December 21, 2020

DIY IDEA: PLASTIC BOTTLE PLANTERS
Transform a recycled plastic bottle into favorite critter, cat, bunny, bear or owl planter.


Posted: September 9, 2020

 

DIY IDEA: RECYCLED GARDEN NOOK
Help keep things out of the landfill while recycling by creating your very own garden nook.


Posted: August 26, 2020

PROPAGATING HERB CUTTINGS
Enjoy the sights, smells and taste of fresh herbs growing in your home garden by propagating herb cuttings!


Posted: July 22, 2020

 

RECYCLED NEWSPAPER SEED STARTER POTS
Have a stack of newspapers to recycle? Transform your newspaper recycling into seed starter pots!


Posted: July 8, 2020

RECYCLED TOILET PAPER ROLL SEED STARTER POTS
Break the boredom at home while recycling in your garden! Transform toilet paper rolls into seed starter pots!


Posted: June 24, 2020

halawa xeriscape garden gazebo

About Halawa Xeriscape Garden

The Halawa Xeriscape Garden displays a series of xeric (dry) plants in a residential-scale setting to demonstrate species capable of providing a visually attractive garden, while using less water than most currently popular plants. It was opened to public in September 1989, after several years of effort by the Board of Water Supply (BWS), as a way to educate Oahu residents on ways to save water in lawns, gardens, and landscaped areas.

In these demonstration gardens, you can familiarize yourself with the kinds of plants and grasses that need less irrigation, as well as the variety of approaches that use water more efficiently in the garden. These approaches include irrigation techniques, cultural practices, and landscaping ideas that will provide for drought-tolerant gardens and landscapes.

Suggested cultural practices that can save water are also seen at Halawa. These include: mulching, soil alteration, turf mowing practices, thinning of planted areas, weed control, and fertilization.


halawa xeriscape garden sign

Hours of Operation

  • Wednesdays and Saturdays
  • 9 AM to 3 PM
  • Check-in at the office window on arrival

How to Get There

The Halawa Xeriscape Garden is located in Halawa Valley's Central Park Industrial Area.

Halawa Xeriscape Garden (get directions)
99-1268 Iwaena Street
Aiea, HI 96701

Hours of Operation

Unless otherwise posted, the garden is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 9 AM to 3 PM. Upon arrival, visitors need to check-in at the office window.

For More Information

Phone: (808) 748-5315 | Email: contactus@hbws.org

halawa xeriscape garden visitor center


Activities at the Garden

Annual Open House and Unthirsty Plant Sale

August 4, 2021 -- Due to the recent increase in reported COVID-19 cases on Oahu, the 2021 annual open house and unthirsty plant sale will not held. Usually, on the first Saturday of August, the Halawa Xeriscape Garden hosts this annual event, a day of fun-filled activities for the family and for keiki, educational workshops, fantastic succulent and cactus displays, great deals on drought tolerant plants and more! We apologize for the inconvenience. Please stay safe and healthy.

keikiscapes 2017 halawa xeriscape garden

halawa xeriscape garden plant sale

Garden Tourstours arthur aiu halawa xeriscape garden

Garden tours are on hold, but we can meet you online! We are happy to share xeriscaping information through online meetings with groups of ten or more.

Email tours@hbws.org with your request at least three weeks in advance. We will respond as soon as we are able. Appointments dependent on staff availability. We are not conducting workshops through virtual meetings. Please note that we ask your group to handle all meeting logistics.

Our Instagram account @BWSHonolulu posts garden-related content using #bwshxg. Visit with us and let us know how your garden grows!

Volunteer Opportunities

volunteer at halawa xeriscape gardenVolunteers are welcome on Weedy Wednesdays and Spruce-Up Saturdays for a wide range of needed tasks:

  • Theme Garden Designer
  • Docent
  • Plant propagator
  • Weeding
  • Staffing the information office
  • Plant Sale worker

To learn about volunteer opportunities, consider joining the Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden or, for more information, call (808) 748-5315.

Workshops at Halawa Xeriscape Garden

The Halawa Xeriscape Garden hosts workshops that generally include instruction on how to xeriscape, efficient irrigation, propagating native plants that save water, soil improvement/mulching, lei-making with xeriscape plants, and wreath-making with xeriscape plants, among others. Sponsored by the Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden and the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, these workshops are generally scheduled on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Notice: Mulch No Longer Available at Halawa Xeriscape Garden

As of July 2014, the BWS no longer offers free mulch at the Halawa Xeriscape Garden in order to align with statewide efforts to prevent the spread of invasive pests. Mulch piles are potential breeding sites for the Rhinoceros Beetle, an invasive scarab beetle that feeds on coconut palms. For alternative free mulch giveaway sites, check with the City Department of Environmental Services (ENV).


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Updated: 01/26/22