UH Manoa’s Lyon Arboretum hosts slew of classes, children’s events

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
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Posted: Mar 20, 2009

The Lyon Arboretum announces several new classes and activities for kids.

Lei Workshop: Saturday, March 28, from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.Brian Choy will share hints for skilled lei makers considering or planning to enter the May Day Lei Competition. Come discuss lei design and what lei material to use based on the 2009 May Day Lei Competition categories. Cost is $15.

Lauhala: Saturday, March 28, from 9:30-11:30 a.m.Wendy Kamai will teach students how to plait lauhala, the leaf of the hala tree. Students will learn the basics of lauhala by making a simple but beautiful bracelet. Materials and supplies are included in the $20 cost. Additional bracelet kits and other kits will be available for purchase.

Lei Series: Saturdays, April 4, 18 and 25, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Brian Choy, deemed a master lei maker by his peers and fans, will teach a series of lei classes. The first class focus on learning the wili method of lei making, the second on haku with ti, and the last on planting and maintaining a lei garden. Classes are taught as a successive series; enrollment includes the trio of classes. Students will be provided a list of floral materials and supplies to bring (no floral material will be provided). Cost is $45.

Soil and Compost: Saturday, April 4, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Learn basic identification of soils and how to combat common nutrient deficiency problems. Student will also learn how to start and maintain a compost system, and make their own compost tea using vermicompost or traditional methods. Instructed by UH Horticulture Society members Cate Overstreet, Brooke Moreno and Gabe Satcher-Smith. Cost is $15.

Water Gardens 2: Saturday, April 18, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Kevin Mulkern will provide a hands-on opportunity to learn about water gardens, including a brief overview of water garden basics, with an emphasis on selection, installation and maintenance of water pumps and filters for water gardens. Cost is $15.

Lei Hulu: Saturday, April 18, from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.Learn the traditional style of making lei hulu or feather lei. Poepoe and kamoe styles will be presented by Audrey Wagner in this hands-on workshop. Students will receive a supply kit including shuttle and materials to make their own lei hulu. Class size is limited. Cost is $35.

Plant Propagation Basics: Friday, May 15, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. In this hands-on class, Liz Huppman and Carol Nakamura will teach the proper techniques of plant propagation: selecting proper potting mix, how to make potting mixes, proper techniques for growing healthy plants, and various methods of propagating seeds, cuttings and air layering. Cost is $15.

Cultural Traditions - Leiomano: Saturday, May 23, from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.Master craftsman Kahakauila Toledo will demonstrate the process of creating a leiomano, a traditional Hawaiian weapon or tool made of wood, shark teeth and fiber lashing. Students will each receive a kit. Cost is $75 (including supply fee).

Children‘s Summer Science Explorations: Week of June 15-19 from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Partake in five full days of hands-on, minds-on activities at the Arboretum. Children grades K-4 can go hiking, explore stream habitats and rainforest ecosystems, learn about Hawaiian culture, and do some garden science and photography. This is a great opportunity for kids who love the outdoors, and those who‘d like to learn more about Hawaiʻi‘s natural history. Cost is $175.

Children‘s Nature Discovery Camp: Week of June 22-26 from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Join in on five full days of fun! Children in grades K-4 will explore the amazing rainforest and enjoy activities such as hiking, art & Hawaiian crafts, exciting science, photography and cooking. Class size is limited. Cost is $175.

Registration is required for all classes. Registration forms are available online at http://hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum.. To register or for more information, please call 988-0461.

The Lyon Arboretum is open Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Arboretum is closed on state and federal holidays. Admission to the gardens is free. Donations are gladly accepted.

Address: 3860 Manoa Road Honolulu, HI 96822