The Outdoor Circle is a statewide environmental non-profit that works with branches throughout
the Hawaiian Islands to protect Hawai‘i's unique natural beauty for future generations
through community improvement projects, public education, and advocacy.
the Hawaiian Islands to protect Hawai‘i's unique natural beauty for future generations
through community improvement projects, public education, and advocacy.
A Hui Hou ~ Jennie Martinez Peterson
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The Outdoor Circle ohana lost one of its bright lights on August 2, 2021, when Jennie Martinez Peterson transitioned after suffering a stroke ten days earlier. All who met her were immediately drawn to her radiant smile, quick wit, warm heart and gentle spirit. Filled with a joy for life, Jennie was always interested and interesting, enlightened and engaged, generously giving of her time and energy to people, organizations and causes.
For many years, Jennie was the Natural Historian/Curriculum Specialist at the Hawai‘i Nature Center, where she touched the lives of many of Honolulu’s students. After retiring, she joined The Outdoor Circle Board of Directors, where she had been serving until her untimely passing. Among her many contributions, Jennie was currently serving as the Education Committee Chair, drawing upon her expertise and decades of service to the environmental community. As The Outdoor Circle was instrumental in the creation of the Hawai‘i Nature Center, Jennie knew a great deal about the history of both organizations, and was a steward of both their legacies. Her passing will be keenly felt in our Circle and all those who knew Jennie will miss her greatly. She led a well-lived life filled with aloha, setting an example for all of us. Further information on services will be forthcoming. |
MAKE A DONATION TO THE OUTDOOR CIRCLE
OR ONE OF OUR BRANCHES
We depend on your donations to continue our mission of keeping Hawai‘i the beautiful, special place we all love.
Please take a moment to make your tax-deductible donation
to The Outdoor Circle or one of our Branches.
You may also make a donation in honor or in memory of a friend or family member,
or a make gift donation or gift a membership to someone who cares about Hawai‘i's environment.
We will send a note acknowledging your thoughtful gift.
Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for doing your part to keeping the vision of The Outdoor Circle alive.
Please take a moment to make your tax-deductible donation
to The Outdoor Circle or one of our Branches.
You may also make a donation in honor or in memory of a friend or family member,
or a make gift donation or gift a membership to someone who cares about Hawai‘i's environment.
We will send a note acknowledging your thoughtful gift.
Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for doing your part to keeping the vision of The Outdoor Circle alive.
If you would like to make a donation that gives for the long-term, please consider making a legacy donation.
Click here for information about our planned giving program ~ Give Beyond Your Years.
Click here for information about our planned giving program ~ Give Beyond Your Years.
Meet Our Board of Directors
The Board of Directors FY 2020-2021
Left to right, top to bottom: Winston Welch, Executive Director | Board Members: Jennie Peterson, Paula Ress, Denise Soderholm, Scott Wilson,
Gordon Aoyagi, Diane Harding, Mimi Bornhorst Gaddis, Joan Gossett, Jonathan Sudler, Kathy Whitmire, [Missing: Cheryl Chesnut, Maureen Murphy]
We thank our Board of Directors for volunteering to guide The Outdoor Circle to meet our mission
of keeping Hawai‘i clean, green, beautiful, livable and sustainable.
Learn more about our board members.
Left to right, top to bottom: Winston Welch, Executive Director | Board Members: Jennie Peterson, Paula Ress, Denise Soderholm, Scott Wilson,
Gordon Aoyagi, Diane Harding, Mimi Bornhorst Gaddis, Joan Gossett, Jonathan Sudler, Kathy Whitmire, [Missing: Cheryl Chesnut, Maureen Murphy]
We thank our Board of Directors for volunteering to guide The Outdoor Circle to meet our mission
of keeping Hawai‘i clean, green, beautiful, livable and sustainable.
Learn more about our board members.
Good News for Trees!
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The Outdoor Circle is happy to announce the Mayor’s Directive 20-13 to guide city departments and agencies in matters relating to trees, created in growing concerns about how the city approaches its tree infrastructure and how each department and agency of the city needs to adopt.
It’s an excellent start towards a unified treatment to establish and build upon policies and practices which will improve the management and care of trees in accordance with the City’s Urban Tree Plan. The Outdoor Circle looks forward to working with Mayor Rick Blangiardi, his new leadership, and all of our city civil servants to further strengthen and fully implement this directive to build a better, tree-filled urban canopy and cooler Oahu on our city streets, parks and public infrastructure. Mayor's Directive 20-14 on "CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU ACTIONS TO ADDRESS INCREASING TEMPERATURES AND THE URBAN TREE CANOPY" effective July 1, 2020 |
Honolulu Magazine Exceptional Tree Photo Gallery
A photo article on some of Honolulu's Exceptional Trees
A photo article on some of Honolulu's Exceptional Trees
An Update from The Outdoor Circle
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Dear Outdoor Circle Ohana,
We know how much you value the important mission and vital work of The Outdoor Circle and its many branches and want to provide you with an update. We have taken steps to protect the health and safety of our members, volunteers, staff, partners, and the community, by following the recommended guidelines. For the time being, all statewide and branch group activities have been suspended. This unprecedented time has affected gatherings such as the 1,000 Tree Giveaway in Manoa to the I Love Kailua Town Party to the Camp Palehua native tree planting event. We have also shifted to work remotely for our small staff as much as possible and will conduct our regular office meetings virtually. We look forward to the resumption of normal activities as soon as it is safe to do so. For now, the health and well-being of everyone is our main focus. Our organization carries on a legacy of strength and resilience that started with our founding members. At times of uncertainty like this, let’s be steadfast in the knowledge that this time will pass and we will come out of it with a greater appreciation of life and awareness for all the beauty around us. The natural and scenic splendor of our islands remains unchanged by current world events. It’s a wonderful time to connect more deeply with the incredible beauty that surrounds us. While practicing safe social distancing, give yourself a therapeutic mental and physical break by going outside to simply be present in nature when you are able to do so. For those who might like to travel a bit more “virtually” to places across the state, we have a wonderful tool on our website, developed with Google Trekker, where our Programs Director Myles Ritchie gathered imagery at 50 locations including: trails, parks, botanical gardens, volcanoes, rivers, eco-preserves and more. They were filmed using a 50-pound backpack with 15 cameras for a 360-degree view, allowing a viewer to “walk along” each of these sites by clicking a direction using the same process as Google Street View. It’s a great way to revisit these places or visit and explore them anew virtually. Click here for more info. Additionally, we have an online catalogue that highlights the Exceptional Trees located throughout the state. This includes our Exceptional Tree map, information library and gallery. This is an accomplishment we are proud to highlight, as these Exceptional Tree resources are emblematic of the core mission and work of The Outdoor Circle. Click here for more info. We sincerely appreciate your enduring commitment to the preservation, protection and promotion of Hawai‘i’s natural and scenic beauty through your continued support and involvement in The Outdoor Circle. Please stay safe during this time, and know that we will get through this united as a community. With aloha, Winston Welch Executive Director |
Join or Renew Your Membership to The Outdoor Circle
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Over the past century, the Outdoor Circle has planted many of the trees that cool the air and caress our lovely islands. Did you know we established the first plant nursery at Kapi‘olani Park in 1918, which we gave to the City of Honolulu in 1946, and which still operates today as a repository source for our city street trees?
Read about some of our other accomplishments: TOC Highlights.
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Here are just a few projects and areas of advocacy your membership or donation will help support:
We will continue to assist the 11 branches of The Outdoor Circle as they work to maintain trees, fight illegal signage, and promote programs in their own communities. We will continue to preserve the natural beauty of Hawai‘i by opposing anything that would allow for the visual desecration of our islands and view planes. We will continue our work with with various partners to map trees on public lands with the goal of ensuring that tree-scapes and green-scapes are preserved and enhanced. Thank you for helping us keep Hawai‘i clean, green and beautiful. We cannot do it without You! |
Testimonials
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"I joined and donated not just because I support your organization's mission and work, but also because I have personally benefitted from the organization's work. I work as a tour guide and visitors consistently mention how lovely the trees are, and how wonderful it is to not see billboards.
I was also the beneficiary of a one-time scholarship award while studying at WCC. I got my degree in Arboriculture, and have gone on to use it both in my visitor industry life, as well as my work in human services." - JH |
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BECOME A MEMBER
The Circle is a membership-based organization. We offer individual, corporate, and lifetime memberships. You can join any branch at any time. We have branches all throughout the islands. Click here to learn more about our branches. GET YOUR GREENLEAF
The Greenleaf is our online newsletter. From statewide initiatives to branch projects to interesting stories about local trees, this is the place to find out what is going on around The Circle. Click here to read the latest from The Greenleaf. 
Donate your vehicle, benefit The Outdoor Circle,
and receive a tax write-off. More details available at www.kokuainkind.org, or call them at 808-834-6603 to donate your vehicle today. Thank you! |
BECOME A VOLUNTEER / INTERN
The Circle relies on the support of volunteers to accomplish its work. There are many opportunities to volunteer on specific projects in your community or on statewide campaigns.
If you would like to become an intern for our state office, please let us know! Click here to connect with us for more information about volunteer opportunities. BECOME A DONOR
The Outdoor Circle is primarily funded by the generous gifts of private donors. Please click here to make a secure donation in support of the work of The Circle and its branches. All donations to The Outdoor Circle are tax-deductible and come to us in many ways, including bequests, charitable remainder trusts, and gifts of appreciated stock. The Outdoor Circle is a 501(c)3 non-profit and its FEIN is 99-0085044. If you have any questions about how to give a gift to The Outdoor Circle, please call or email us. |