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Announcement

Friday, December 1, 2023 -- Due to planned construction work, the Halawa Xeriscape Garden will be closed for an extended period of time starting in December. See Hours of Operation - Closure Dates for more information.


About Halawa Xeriscape Garden

The Halawa Xeriscape Garden displays a series of xeric (dry) plants in a residential-scale setting to demonstrate species capable of providing a visually attractive garden, while using less water than most currently popular plants. It was opened to public in September 1989, after several years of effort by the Board of Water Supply (BWS), as a way to educate Oahu residents on ways to save water in lawns, gardens, and landscaped areas.

In these demonstration gardens, you can familiarize yourself with the kinds of plants and grasses that need less irrigation, as well as the variety of approaches that use water more efficiently in the garden. These approaches include irrigation techniques, cultural practices, and landscaping ideas that will provide for drought-tolerant gardens and landscapes.

Suggested cultural practices that can save water are also seen at Halawa. These include: mulching, soil alteration, turf mowing practices, thinning of planted areas, weed control, and fertilization.

Halawa Xeriscape Garden is located in Halawa Valley's Central Park Industrial Area. It re-opened to the public on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, after being closed for an extended period of time due to the pandemic.

halawa xeriscape garden sign

HOW TO GET THERE
Halawa Xeriscape Garden (directions)
99-1268 Iwaena Street
Aiea, HI 96701
(808) 748-5315 | contactus@hbws.org

HOURS OF OPERATION
- Wednesdays and Saturdays
- 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Check-in at the office window on arrival
View closure dates


HOURS OF OPERATION - CLOSURE DATES

December 1, 2023 -- Unless otherwise posted, Halawa Xeriscape Garden is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Upon arrival, visitors need to check-in at the office window.

The garden also will be closed on the following dates:

  • January 1, 2024 to April 30, 2024 (construction project)
  • Wednesday, May 8, 2024
  • Saturday, May 25, 2024

For More Information

Phone: (808) 748-5315 | Email: contactus@hbws.org

halawa xeriscape garden visitor center


halawa xeriscape garden gazebo


Activities at the Garden

Annual Open House and Unthirsty Plant Sale

Our annual Unthirsty Plant Sale is traditionally held at the Halawa Xeriscape Garden on the first Saturday of August.

Find great deals on drought tolerant plants that help you conserve water in your garden, visit the plant doctor, backyard compost, rain barrel water catchment and many more booths.

keikiscapes 2017 halawa xeriscape garden

halawa xeriscape garden plant sale

Garden Tourstours arthur aiu halawa xeriscape garden

Garden tours are on hold, but we can meet you online! We are happy to share xeriscaping information through online meetings with groups of ten or more.

Email tours@hbws.org with your request at least three weeks in advance. We will respond as soon as we are able. Appointments dependent on staff availability. We are not conducting workshops through virtual meetings. Please note that we ask your group to handle all meeting logistics.

Our Instagram account @BWSHonolulu posts garden-related content using #bwshxg. Visit with us and let us know how your garden grows!

Volunteer Opportunities

volunteer at halawa xeriscape gardenVolunteers are welcome on Weedy Wednesdays and Spruce-Up Saturdays for a wide range of needed tasks:

  • Theme Garden Designer
  • Docent
  • Plant propagator
  • Weeding
  • Staffing the information office
  • Plant Sale worker

To learn about volunteer opportunities, consider joining the Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden or, for more information, call (808) 748-5315.

Workshops at Halawa Xeriscape Garden

The Halawa Xeriscape Garden hosts workshops that generally include instruction on how to xeriscape, efficient irrigation, propagating native plants that save water, soil improvement/mulching, lei-making with xeriscape plants, and wreath-making with xeriscape plants, among others. Sponsored by the Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden and the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, these workshops are generally scheduled on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Check out featured mini-workoshop videos and sample past workshops

Notice: Mulch No Longer Available at Halawa Xeriscape Garden

As of July 2014, the BWS no longer offers free mulch at the Halawa Xeriscape Garden in order to align with statewide efforts to prevent the spread of invasive pests. Mulch piles are potential breeding sites for the Rhinoceros Beetle, an invasive scarab beetle that feeds on coconut palms. For alternative free mulch giveaway sites, check with the City Department of Environmental Services (ENV).



Updated: 1/11/24