Halawa Xeriscape Garden: A place for lovers of unthirsty plants

The Halawa Xeriscape Garden displays a group of plants collectively called as Xeric or dry in a residential scale setting. It was opened in September 1989, after several years of effort by the Board of Water Supply (BWS), to educate Oahu residents on ways to conserve water and still have a beautiful garden and landscaped areas.

The term Xeriscaping was coined in the American Southwest and describes a creative and new way of saving water by planning your garden accordingly.

This unique demonstration garden is situated in Aiea, on the island of Oahu. People can familiarize themselves with kinds of plants that require less water and irrigation techniques, landscaping ideas  to make more efficient use of water.

The term Xeriscaping is based on seven fundamental principles that can guide you to plant and maintain a xeriscape garden.

Seven Principles of Xeriscaping

1. Planning and Design

 Plan and design landscapes for water conservation
 Work with existing surroundings and utilize plants that are appropriate for the area.

2. Limit Turf Areas

 Minimize unnecessary turf areas which require more water and maintenance.
 In the areas where turf is utilized, use the appropriate grass for the area.

3. Soil Improvements

 Improve the quality of your soil by adding organic matter such as compost or manures.
 Soil amendments improve water absorption and the water-holding capacity of the soil.

4. Mulching

 Mulches protect the soil from direct sunlight which can dry out the soil.
 They minimize evaporation, inhibit weed growth and slow erosion.
 Some mulches such as wood chips break down over time and add organic matter which enriches the top soil.

5. Efficient Irrigation

 Plants should be watered early in the morning or in the evening to prevent moisture loss due to evaporation.
 Drip irrigation is one example of an efficient irrigation system.

6. Appropriate Maintenance

 Keep your plants healthy by practicing routine basic maintenance, such as proper pruning and regular pest control.

 Pests are attracted to weak or dying plants.

7. Appropriate Plant Selection

Select plants that are suited for the area to minimize water use and maintenance efforts.
Group plants that have similar water requirements
 In general, native plants require less water and maintenance.

Among the water-efficient irrigation systems demonstrated in the Halawa Xeriscape Garden are automatic timers, moisture sensors, rain shutdown devices, and low output irrigation equipment such as spray sprinkler heads, micro-spray sprinkler heads, emitters and dripper lines.

It also includes zoning the landscapes making the best use of natural climate conditions, creating microclimate zones and dividing the garden into water zones.

There is a wide range of unthirsty plants and hence the garden in divided into different sections to display the entire range.

The Hawaiian Garden showcases native Hawaiian plants that are adapted to hot and dry climate and includes attractive and readily grown species that requires far less water than the native exotics. Some of the native Hawaiian drought resistant plants are Āwikiwiki, Hinahina, Pohinahina, Uki ‘Uki , ‘A‘ali‘I, ‘Ilima, Naio, Koa and Lama.

Hinahina--Heliotropium anomalum

‘A‘ali‘i--Dodonaea viscosa

Kokio ke‘oke‘o--Hibiscus arnottianus

‘Ilima--Sida fallax

Ōhi‘a --Metrosideros spp

Koa tree 

Naio--Myoporum sandwicense

The International Garden boasts a collection of plants from the world's dry tropics. It includes newly-introduced experimental species whose reaction to varying levels of drought will be evaluated over the next several years. The introduction and evaluation program is an important aspect of the xeriscape project.

The Indian Curry leaves tree

The Cotton tree

Aakada or Calotropis gigantea

The Bromeliad Garden features a collection of "less thirsty" pineapple relatives from the tropics of the New World. This garden presents a kaleidoscopic palette of species of widely varying forms and sized for both sun and shade in the Xeriscape.

The Tree Garden is a collection of drought-tolerant tree species, including several experimental species from all over the globe.

The garden is located at 99-1268 Iwaena Street, Aiea HI 96701. Admission is free and is open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Self-guided tours can be taken at any time while guided tours are offered by appointments.

The garden also holds lot of workshops throughout the year. The workshops includes 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.  You can call on (808) 748-5041 to get more information.

Driving directions to Hlawa Xeriscape Garden

The garden also holds regular events like Garden Open House and Unthirsty Plant Sale. Less-thirsty plants for sale included the Hoya, Talinum, Resnova, Stephanotis and many other drought-tolerant succulents. Keikiscapes are snapshots of activities done by Hawaiian keiki on open house day.

Free Xeriscape Seeds

Every first Wednesday of the month, Halawa Xeriscape Garden offers free xeriscape seeds. The packets can be picked up on Wednesdays or Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m

The Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden (FOHXG) is a non-profit community organization dedicated to educational programs that promote water conservation on the landscape. Established in 1989, the Friends have continued to provide support through volunteers and educational activities for the Garden's landscape water conservation program.

The Cacti 

Unthirsty trees