SPECIAL

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC ARBOR DAY TREE GIVEAWAY, of 2,600 trees and shrubs, including patio plants, and flowering and shade trees (one-third of them fruit trees) at six Oahu sites Nov. 7 (experts on hand to help with selection/information): 7 a.m., HECO's Kahe Power Plant, Pearl City Urban Garden Center, HECO's Ward Avenue facility and HECO's Koolau Base Yard in Kailua; and 9 a.m., Wahiawä Botanical Garden and Waimea Valley; one tree per household; information, 543-4441, www.arbordayhawaii.org.

WAIMEA VALLEY SECOND ANNUAL ARBOR DAY, with free give-away (see above) of trees and mulch (bring bucket), and plant sale, including heliconias, gingers, bromeliads, hibiscus, exotics and anthuriums, herbs, orchids, vegetable starters and native ferns; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 7, Parking Lot 2; free, $5 parking; information, 348-0057.

WAHIAWÄ BOTANICAL GARDEN spooky FOREST, a walk through an enchanted "spooktacular" forest with tree specters, a haunted cemetery, ghouls around a cauldron, and the mysterious Green Lady; 4-8 p.m. Oct. 28-30, Wahiawä Botanical Garden; free; 621-5463.

MAKAHIKI AT VOLCANO, Makahiki Ma Ka Maukele, an Oct. 24 day-long series of workshops, demonstrations and displays, relating to traditional and modern technologies of the earth, sky and sea, including making coconut husk fiber cordage, poi pounding, traditional navigation, a lei contest; events start at 10 a.m., Carlson Court, Cooper Center campus, in Volcano, Big Island; most events free. )

Also: Makahiki will conclude with a luau (4:30 and 5:30 p.m. seatings) and 7 p.m. concert, including Cyril Pahinui and hula; fees for both; information, 808-968-6696, www.volcanocommunity.org.

3-D FROGS AND GARDEN CRITTERS ART CONTEST, sponsored by Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, open to the public in five age categories. Contest rules and registration available through Nov. 25 at the park; contest deadline, 4 p.m. Nov. 28. Entries will be displayed at the park visitor center Dec. 5-30. Information, 233-7323.

FUNTASTIC FRIDAYS, series of educational day camps, sponsored by Hawaii Nature Center, to deal with public school furlough days, offering a science-based learning program in natural forest habitats and restored kalo fields in Makiki and Iao valleys, on Oahu and Maui; for ages 6-11, registration on first-come, first-served basis, 955-0100, ext. 26.

EVENTS

LAUHALA CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS WORKSHOP, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Oct. 26; Foster Botanical Garden; regular admission fee to garden applies; reservations required, 522-7064..

BANANA LEAF HOLIDAY ORNAMENT WORKSHOP, on making a holiday angel using materials from the garden; 1-3 p.m. Oct. 27, Wahiawä Botanical Garden; $5; required reservations, 621-5463.

ORCHID CULTURE BASICS, workshop by Scot Mitamura; 9:30-11:30 a.m. Oct. 31; Foster Botanical Garden; regular admission fee to garden applies; reservations required, 522-7064..

THINK GLOBAL, EAT LOCAL!, hands-on workshop on backyard organic gardening, Hawaii-style, including augmenting soil quality with limu, microorganisms, vermicompost (using worms) and manure, and safe methods of pest control; 9:30-11:30 a.m. Oct. 24; Lyon Arboretum, 3860 Mänoa Road; $18 (includes plant supplies and materials); register, 988-0461, www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum.

BOTANICAL ARTS: DRAWING IN THE GARDEN, four-week drawing class for both beginners and advanced students; 9-11:30 a.m. Saturdays, Oct. 31, Nov. 7, Nov. 14 and Nov. 28; Lyon Arboretum, Mänoa; limited class size; $100; register, 988-0461, www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum.

SECRETS OF PLANT PROPAGATION, class on the use of cuttings, divisions, air-layering and pruning to create new plants, 9-10 a.m., Oct. 24, Wahiawä Botanical Garden; free; information, 621-55463.

DR. HILLEBRAND TOUR of trees planted by the first gardener of Foster Botanical Garden, led by docent Liesel Vander Leeden; 1 p.m. Nov. 14 and Dec. 12; Foster Botanical Garden; requires park admission; reservations: 522-7066.

GARDEN GREEN HOUR, outdoor green activities for families, arranged as a respite from TV, computers and video games; 2-3 p.m. Dec. 23 and 30; free; Wahiawä Botanical Garden; 621-5463.

ONGOING

HOOMALUHIA PRE-SCHOOL 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's center (Nov. 17 topic: leaves); recommended: walking shoes, insect repellent, raingear; information, 233-7323

SELF-DIRECTED BOTANICAL DRAWING AND PAINTING, rendering of plants, flowers, seeds and pods from the garden; 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 16, Wahiawä Botanical Garden; free; information/registration, 621-5463.

FREE GARDEN MULCH:

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, Hälawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1269 Iwaena St.; self-service; www.boardofwatersupply.com, 748-5041.

• Mulch also available from city Department of Environmental Services; 768-3200.

HOOMALUHIA FAMILY CATCH AND RELEASE FISHING, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, yearlong, Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, Käneohe; recommended: walking shoes, insect repellent, rain protection, barbless hooks and fishing gear; free; reservations, 233-7323.

BOTANICAL DRAWING AND PAINTING, rendering of plants, flowers, seeds and pods from the garden; 9:30 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, Käneohe; recommended: No. 4 round brush, Bristol paper, watercolor set or pencils; free; reservations, 233-7323.

LYON ARBORETUM classes and workshops on invasive plants, organic gardening, traditional Hawaiian crafts, flower arranging, garden photography, field sketching and nature journaling, special children's classes and more, at the arboretum, 3860 Mänoa Road; schedule at www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum; register: 988-0461.

GARDEN TOUR, one-mile (1 1/2-hour) "easy" guided walk; 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily (keiki-focused tour at 1 p.m. Sundays); Senator Fong's Plantation and Gardens; $14.50, discounts for kamaäina; 239-6775.

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.

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

"PLANTS OF PARADISE" GARDEN TOUR of the Bishop Museum gardens, 11 a.m. daily; meet at Hawaiian Hall entrance; museum admission required; 847-3511.

LYON ARBORETUM GUIDED TOURS, view plants of the rain forest, and tour the arboretum's Ethnobotany Garden, Spice Hill, native plant collection and waterfall; 10 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays; at the arboretum, Mänoa Valley; $5; reservations, 988-0461.

SECOND SATURDAY AT THE GARDEN, series of events offering a chance to stroll the garden and learn about tropical gardening from certified Hawaii master gardeners and center volunteers; 9 a.m.-12 p.m., second Saturday monthly; Pearl City Urban Garden Center; free; www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ougc, 453-6055.

WHAT'S BLOOMING/WHAT'S BEARING FRUIT WITH DAVID ORR, walking tour of Waimea Valley with botanical collections specialist David Orr, 2-3 p.m., first and third Sundays; recommended: snack, insect repellent, sunscreen, hat, water and sturdy shoes; free with paid park admission; reservations, 638-7766.

FOSTER BOTANICAL GARDEN seeks volunteers to help maintain butterfly garden, including ongoing deadheading, replanting and general maintenance; 373-4200.

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

WEED & POT CLUB at Maui Nui Botanical Garden meets 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.

LYON ARBORETUM WORKDAY, weeding and garden maintenance with arboretum grounds crew, first Saturday monthly; times/information: 988-0455.

NIAULANI FOREST WORKDAY, volunteers needed, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., third Sunday of each month; Volcano Art Center, Niaulani campus, Volcano Village, Big Island; 808-967-8222.

MAKIKI FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT, volunteers needed as part of Makiki Watershed Awareness Initiative forest restoration project, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., fourth Saturday of each month; 973-9782.

KAUAI BOTANICALGARDEN, volunteers needed to protect rare plants and ecosystems at the National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kauai; 808-332-7324, ext. 228, or volunteer@ntbg.org.

Send announcements, at least 10 days before event, with contact name and phone number, to: Island Life, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; or islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Home & Garden Cal" in the subject line.`