During the months of May, June, July, August, September and December in 2014 and January and March in 2015, nearly 130 volunteers put more than 520 hours into projects at Lili`uokalani Gardens with the agreement and cooperation of park maintenance staff.
a quiet corner of Lili`uokalani Gardens … photo by Bill F. Eger, 2015
Many thanks are due to the members of Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens for their hands-on approach. The Sierra Club Moku Loa Chapter, East Hawaii Master Gardeners Association, Fukushima Kenjinkai, Moku `Aina, Urasenke Hilo, and the UH-Hilo exchange students contributed greatly to this effort.
Donations of material, supplies and tools were received from Ace Hardware, Jas. Glover, and individual board members. This includes everything from water, ice, and coffee for volunteers to gloves and trash bags to adding tools to the maintenance shed to soil and plants and fertilizers, and 16 tons of two different sizes of gravel (6 of #3, ¾” minus and 10 of #9).
Paths have been improved. The Shoroan tea house garden is looking better. The seaweed in the pond has been reduced. Lines on the parking lot were refreshed with paint. Weeds in garden beds and on the roofs of shelters have been removed. Small trees have been pruned.
Efforts were designed not only for general improvement but also to support the Fukushima Kenjinkai annual tanabata festival, the Queen Lili`uokalani Festival, and the Urasenke Society’s special events in July and September 2014, and January 2015.
Park maintenance supervision has shifted from Mike Brown to Jason Mattos and a new wish list of tasks has been set forth.
Spring volunteer work days have been set for Saturday, April 18, and Friday, May 15. Time is 8 a.m. to noon each day. Meet at the picnic table in the old sumo ring near the small parking lot and Shoroan tea house to sign in and choose assignments.
To see any photo in this blog full size, click on the image. Any image not otherwise credited is by K.T. Cannon-Eger.
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As my East Coast landscaping friend James Hanselman frequently remarks, “Wishing you joy in your garden.”
U.S. Japanese Gardens 