Bee Garden, Native Plants In The Works

Livable Hawaii Kai Hui has launched a native plant propogation project combined with monthly plant sales at its start-up nursery, Aloha Aina O Kamilo Nui. Located at the end of Kamilonui Place, the nursery is targeted for the growing and
sharing of plants once prevalent in Maunalua.

“We did the research and have the list of natives we need to collect and propagate,” said Elizabeth Reilly, who heads the nonprofit hui. “In time we plan to service the native plant needs of our fellow community organizations as well as educate the general public on the benefit of going native in the backyard.”

Volunteers who commit to nursery work learn horticulture and Hawaiian culture at the same time, as well as earn possible service credit hours.

The next plant sales are set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May30, June 27 and July 25. Those dates also offer volunteer work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in potting, weeding, planting and more.

The sales serve to clear out plant stock and make room for new projects, Reilly said, such as a demonstration bee garden. For sale are anthuriums, ficus, cactus, aloe, orchids, kukui nut trees, rosemary and other herbs, palms, bromeliads, Pele’s hair, bananas, crown flowers, staghorn ferns and even kiawe wood from Keawawa wetlands and Hawea heiau.

The nursery is at 965 Kamilonui Place. For more information, call 864-8081 or email kamilonuivalley@aol.com.