Arbor Day: November 2nd, 2024

Every year at Kukui Grove, nurseries and plant enthusiasts around the island come together to celebrate trees. The event takes place in early November, just in time for the beginning of rainy season! Hundreds of fruit trees, native plants, and much more are given away to the public. It’s just one way nurseries and growers can give back to the community. Arbor Day is all about planting trees, and by giving away trees for free, people from around the island can come pick out their own trees to take home and plant. Giving away these plants promotes the use of native plants in the landscape and provides fruit trees for people to plant and feed their families for generations to come.

Not only do participants get to take home free trees, but local vendors and organizations will be there to answer questions about plant health and native plants, as well as hand out educational pamphlets. It’s a great way to connect with people and organizations in our community that make it their mission to educate people on the importance of saving native plants and taking care of our island.

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The History of Arbor Day in Hawaii

Arbor Day was first recognized in Hawaii by Governor Carter on November 3rd, 1905. Like the rest of the country, the day was established as a way to encourage the schools to plant trees and teach the children of the importance of trees. Many public and private schools throughout the islands participated in the day by planting trees on school grounds. In 1906, Queen Liliuokalani visited Lahainaluna School on Arbor Day and participated in the tree planting by planting her own Royal Palm. The event was a huge success and the school was honored to have the Queen present to partake in the festivities. She told the students to care for the trees, and “as that tree grows up in strength and beauty, so I hope that they will grow also, strong and noble, and that they will be a pride to their parents to the school and the country.”

Today, Arbor Day in Hawaii is celebrated by giving away seedlings and plants throughout the state.

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Kauai Arbor Day

Organized by the Kauai Landscape Industry Council, the Arbor Day free tree giveaway is made possible by all of the local nurseries and growers who provide all of the plants for the day. We at Seascapes love working with this event and taking the time to pick and grow trees we know our community will love and cherish. Stop by this weekend to see all that’s available and say “Mahalo” to all the volunteers! Happy Arbor Day!