Blog

Monday, December 10, 2007

Lani Kailua Outdoor Circle Tree Planting

On a recent Saturday morning a crowd gathered at Aikahi Triangle Park in Kailua to bless the 21 Nara and Monkey pod trees planted in the median of Mokapu Boulevard. The event also was a celebration of the partnership between the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle and the City Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Urban Forestry.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann, City Council Chair Barbara Marshall, Parks Director Lester Chang and LKOC President, Sharon Geary, as well as most of the LKOC Board members were in attendance. The 21 trees were supplied by the City and LKOC Board paid the planting costs of more than $15,000. The trees were planted to replace the dead Wiliwili trees which had fallen prey to the state-wide blight.

Beach Walks with Rox #529 – Outdoor Circle Tree Blessing

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Arbor Day Celebrations 2007

Margaret Mead said, “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.” She couldn’t have been more right judging by how The Outdoor Circle celebrated Arbor Day this year.

It was a sad day last summer when a stately, 90+ year old tree at Kuhio School had to be removed, the victim of disease. The tree was well loved and many of Honolulu’s media outlets covered the distressing news. Shortly afterward I received a call from a Kuhio School graduate who was so upset over the tree’s loss that she offered to donate a replacement tree.

Word went around among the landscape/tree community asking where we could obtain a Monkey pod tree. The response was amazing. Wayne Ogasawara from Mililani Agricultural Park stepped forward and offered to donate the tree of the donor’s choosing and Steve Nimz of Steve Nimz Associates volunteered to dig the tree out of the ground and move it to the school. He offered also to dig the hole and to replant it.

But first we needed to ensure that Kuhio School wanted another tree. Mrs. Evelyn Hao, Principal, was thrilled when we spoke. She admitted to being very sad to have lost the tree and couldn’t believe that someone cared enough to give the school another. She also stipulated that she wanted as big a tree as possible.

Thursday November 1, 2007 was our Arbor Day celebration at the school. Following a very stormy evening and several morning downpours, the day turned sunny and beautiful just in time for our celebration. As we kicked off our program we were treated to a rainbow which arched beautifully across the tree, as a bird frolicked in his new home. We could not have ordered a more perfect day!

Many guests from the community came as did representatives from the Department of Education and friends of The Outdoor Circle. The Kuhio School Choir entertained us with songs and the Student Government Officers provided us with many famous quotes and proverbs about trees.

All of this from one “do-gooder” in the community who cared enough to change her world and wanted Kuhio School students to benefit from the tree in the same way.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Arbor Day 2007

The Outdoor Circle and Prince Jonah Kuhio School cordially invite you to participate in a celebration of Arbor Day 2007

Help restore shade, solace and beauty to the playground of Prince Jonah Kuhio School. The 90 year old Monkeypod tree lost in July will be replaced by another – the gift of a generous donor.

Where: Prince Jonah Kuhio School, 2759 S. King Street

When: Thursday, Nov 1, 2007

Time: 9:00 a.m.

Refreshments Immediately Following

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Honolulu Advertiser Talks About Flowering Trees

The beauty and diversity of Hawaii’s flowering trees is stunning. With assistance from The Outdoor Circle, the Honolulu Advertiser recently published a very detailed and informative article about these highlights of our local landscape.

Staff writer Loren Moreno starts the article with:

Hawai’i may not have the East Coast’s famous autumnal turning of the leaves, but our summer brings a riotous show of color.

If you want to learn more about the Monekeypod, Royal Poinciana, Octopus, African Tulip and more, we suggest you head on over and read the article in full! The publicly accessible article will expire by September 1, 2007.

You can also see more photos by visiting The Outdoor Circle’s Flickr page. Flickr is a photo sharing site; if you are a member, please add us to your Contacts!

These links will take you off of The Outdoor Circle web site:
Flowering trees of summer color Hawai‘i
The Outdoor Circle on Flickr