Learning How To ‘Save The Rain’ On Earth Day

Hui o Ko’olaupoko (HOK) invites the public to its “Save the Rain” lessons and Earth Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Heeia State Park.

Events at the Green Homeowner Series include a rain barrel demonstration, native plant giveaways and keiki activities. But the highlight will be learning how to capture those Windward downpours within a rain garden – with help from neighbors and funding for materials through the HOK Rain Garden Co-op.

“The event will focus on installing rain gardens and other ways to reduce polluted runoff from residential properties,” said HOK executive director Todd Cullison. “Funds are available to cover the material cost for such items as plants and soil with the rain gardens built by the homeowners, volunteers and neighbors.”

For more information on the cost-share project, call 381-7202 or go to huihawaii.org.

The nonprofit HOC installed a rain garden prototype last year at Heeia State Park. It was the first in the state, and it took only one day to complete with volunteer help. A rain garden is a flat-bottomed depression planted with native vegetation, which then captures excess storm water and pollutants from rooftops, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots or streets.