Hundreds of people attended the 19th annual Halawa Xeriscape Garden open house and unthirsty plant sale yesterday. Sponsored by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Gardens, the event featured tours, classes and workshops, including one on vermicomposting, or composting with worms.

Xeriscaping is a seven-part technique that uses water efficiently for landscaping. Some of the techniques include growing "unthirsty" plants, using mulch and installing proper irrigation. More than 10 local nurseries and growers participated in the plant sale.