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For Immediate Release
July 19, 2023

Board of Water Supply Brings Back Annual Unthirsty Plant Sale at Hālawa Xeriscape Garden After Three Years

Saturday, August 3, 2023 9 am - 3 pm

HONOLULU - O‘ahu residents can enjoy growing beautiful plants at home while reducing their outdoor water consumption.

The Board of Water Supply (BWS) is bringing back its popular Unthirsty Plant Sale at Hālawa Xeriscape Garden at 99-1268 Iwaena Street on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, from 9 am to 3 pm. The three-acre garden, a lush oasis nestled in Hālawa Valley’s Central Park Industrial Park, is a live display of drought-tolerant plants, including native species. Admission is free. Park on Iwaena Street and catch a free shuttle to the garden.

The annual, in-person event, which has been on a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, provides opportunities for those with or without green thumbs to shop for many different types of drought-tolerant to add to their gardens or consider replacing those that demand more extensive, regular watering.

“Since the Red Hill water contamination crisis, all of us are much more aware of the need to do our part to conserve water, but that doesn’t mean we have to give up raising plants and enjoying our own gardens,” said Ernie Lau, manager and chief engineer of the Board of Water Supply. “We’re glad to welcome back all those who look forward to our annual Unthirsty Plant Sale and look forward to making available plants that help us conserve our precious wai.”

The Unthirsty Plant Sale will feature an array of drought-tolerant plants, including Amaryllis, Pedilanthus, tithymaloides, and Stephanotis plants.

The event will also include many informational booths including Da Bug Doctor, UH Master Gardener Plant Doctor, Hawaii Department of Health Safe Drinking Water Branch, Backyard Compost by the City Department of Environmental Services’ Recycling Branch, and many more. The BWS will also be giving away free compost for home gardens.

Those at the Unthirsty Plant Sale can get information on how to set up and use a rain barrel at home to collect rainwater to use outdoors which can lower the water bill. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates about 30 percent of residential water bills can be attributed to outdoor water use, and that the majority of outdoor water use is from watering lawns and gardens.

Current members of The Friends of Hālawa Xeriscape Garden enjoy early bird entry at 8:30 am to the Unthirsty Plant Sale and receive a 10% discount on plant purchases. The Friends of Hālawa Xeriscape Garden, a non-profit community organization dedicated to providing educational programs that promote water conservation for landscapes. For more information about the Friends of Hālawa Xeriscape Garden visit the boardofwatersupply.com

The Hālawa Xeriscape Garden recently reopened to the public on February 1, 2023, after an extended closure. The garden is open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 am to 3 pm, and offers valuable educational workshops. For information about Hālawa Xeriscape Garden, contact (808) 748-5315 or contactus@hbws.org.

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Contact:

Kathleen Pahinui 
Information Officer 
Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Phone: (808) 748-5319