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.

"URBAN GARDENING," presentation by master gardener Ann Tanaka, on backyard and container vegetable gardening, including seed planting, potting mix/fertilizers, watering, and pest control on leafy greens and tomatoes, and auto-drip watering systems, sponsored by the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii, 7 p.m. May 18, Ala Wai Golf Course clubhouse; free; 944-8344.

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 bettycrockerawards@gmail.com; 254-8702.

'AIEA RIDGE HIKE, presented by Friends of Honolulu Botanical Gardens, with opportunity to view differenct species of 'ōhi'a, lehua, koa, 'iliahi, and other native trees, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. May 22, from top of 'Aiea State Park; $5 ($10, non-FHBG members); information, 537-1708, www.friendsofhonolulubotanicalgardens.com.

"FASCINATING FICUS," hike through Lyon Arboretum, and presentation on "wanton wasps, lurid pollination strategies, ravenous rock-eating trees, and the good ficus and bad ficus," 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. May 22, Lyon Arboretum; $20; registration, 988-0461.

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.

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://www.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://www.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.