SPECIAL

3-D FROGS AND GARDEN CRITTERS ART CONTEST, sponsored by Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, open to the public in five age categories. Contest rules and registration available Oct. 15-Nov. 25 at the park; contest deadline, 4 p.m., Nov. 28. Entries to be displayed at the park Visitor Center, Dec. 5-30. Information, 233-7323.

"FUNTASTIC FRIDAYS," series of educational day camps, sponsored by Hawai'i Nature Center, to deal with public school furlough days, offering a science-based learning program in natural forest habitats and restored kalo fields in Makiki and I'ao valleys, O'ahu and Maui; registrations for ages 6-11, available on first-come, first served basis, 955-0100, ext. 26.

"HISTORY OF THE ARBORETUM," by Lyon Aboretum resident historian Ray Baker, on early Manoa Valley history, Hawai'i Sugar Planters Association early valley use, reforestation efforts and arboretum history; 9:30-11:30 a.m. Oct. 17; at the arboretum, 3860 Manoa Road; $18; register: 988-0461.

AMY GREENWELL ETHNOBOTANICAL GARDEN COMMUNITY WORK DAY; 9 a.m.-noon, Oct. 17, at the garden; Kailua, Kona, Hawai'i; (tools, gloves, snacks and drinks provided); information, 808-323-3318.

EVENTS

"WHY NOT ORCHIDS!," Honolulu Orchid Society's 70th anniversary show and sale, including displays, miniature orchids, a Japanese village, and orchid culture demonstrations; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 10 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 11; free; information, www.honoluluorchidsociety.org.

AMY GREENWELL ETHNOBOTANICAL GARDEN; free tour of garden's native Hawaiian plants and their traditional cultural uses; 10-11:30 a.m. Oct. 10; Kailua, Kona, Hawai'i; information, 808-323-3318.

"BASIC PRUNING AND TREE CARE," class by Lyon Arboretum arborist Steve Connolly on basic tree care, pruning, tools and techniques and when to call a professional; 9-11 a.m. Oct. 17; at the arboretum, 3860 Manoa Road; $18; register: 988-0461.

MEDICINAL PLANTS TOUR, of plants and trees used as natural remedies; 1 p.m. Oct. 17, Foster Botanical Garden; reservations required, admission fee to garden; 522-7066.

DR. HILLEBRAND TOUR of trees planted by the first gardener of Foster Botanical Garden, led by docent Liesel Vander Leeden; 1 p.m. Oct. 10, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12; Foster Botanical Garden; requires park admission; reservations: 522-7066.

"THE ART OF COMPOST TEA," one of a number of University of Hawai'i-Manoa fall noncredit classes; 3-4:30 pm. Oct. 18, Olomana Gardens, 41-1140 Waikupanaha St.; $20 reservations, 956-8400 or www.outreach.hawaii.edu/noncredit/registration.asp.

"GARDEN GREEN HOUR," outdoor green activities for families, arranged as a respite from TV, computers and video games; 2-3 p.m. Dec. 23 and 30; free; Wahiawa Botanical Garden; 621-5463.

ONGOING

SELF-DIRECTED BOTANICAL DRAWING AND PAINTING, rendering of plants, flowers, seeds and pods from the garden; 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 16, Wahiawa Botanical Garden; free; information, registration, 621-5463.

FREE GARDEN MULCH:

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, Halawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1269 Iwaena St.; self-service; www.boardofwatersupply.com, 748-5041.

• Mulch also available from city Department of Environmental Services; 768-3200.

HO'OMALUHIA FAMILY CATCH AND RELEASE FISHING, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, yearlong, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Kane'ohe; recommended: walking shoes, insect repellent, rain protection, barbless hooks and fishing gear; free; reservations, 233-7323.

BOTANICAL DRAWING AND PAINTING, rendering of plants, flowers, seeds and pods from the garden; 9:30 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Kane'ohe; recommended: No. 4 round brush, Bristol paper, watercolor set or pencils; free; reservations, 233-7323.

LYON ARBORETUM classes and workshops on invasive plants, organic gardening, traditional Hawaiian crafts, flower arranging, garden photography, field sketching and nature journaling, special children's classes and more, at the arboretum, 3860 Manoa Road; full schedule at www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum; register: 988-0461.

GARDEN TOUR, one-mile (1 1/2-hour) "easy" guided walk; 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily (keiki-focused tour at 1 p.m. Sundays); Senator Fong's Plantation and Gardens; $14.50, discounts for kama'aina; 239-6775.

NIAULANI NATURE WALK, guided tour through an old-growth forest; 9:30 a.m. Mondays; Volcano Art Center's Niaulani campus, Volcano Village, Big Island; 808-967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

MANOA HERITAGE CENTER, discover an old Hawaiian heiau and native plants while learning Manoa Valley's history; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; Manoa Heritage Center; $7 general, $4 seniors and military, students free; visits and tours by reservation only: 988-1287, www.manoaheritagecenter.org.

"PLANTS OF PARADISE" GARDEN TOUR of the Bishop Museum gardens, 11 a.m. daily; meet at Hawaiian Hall entrance; museum admission required; 847-3511.

LYON ARBORETUM GUIDED TOURS, view plants of the rain forest, and tour the arboretum's Ethnobotany Garden, Spice Hill, native plant collection and waterfall; 10 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays; at the arboretum, Manoa Valley; $5; reservations: 988-0461.

SECOND SATURDAY AT THE GARDEN, series of events offering a chance to stroll the garden and learn about tropical gardening from certified Hawai'i master gardeners and center volunteers; 9 a.m.-12 p.m., second Saturday monthly; Pearl City Urban Garden Center; free; www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ougc, 453-6055.

WHAT'S BLOOMING/WHAT'S BEARING FRUIT WITH DAVID ORR, walking tour of Waimea Valley with botanical collections specialist David Orr, 2-3 p.m., first and third Sundays; recommended: snack, insect repellent, sunscreen, hat, water and sturdy shoes; free with paid park admission; reservations, 638-7766.

FOSTER BOTANICAL GARDEN seeks volunteers to help maintain butterfly garden, including ongoing deadheading, replanting and general maintenance; 373-4200.

TUESDAYS AT KANAHA, weekly beach cleanup and plant maintenance, coordinated by Community Pride at Kanaha Beach Park, Maui, 8-10 a.m. Tuesdays, at the park; Valerie Vines Magee, 808-264-1454.

WEED & POT CLUB at Maui Nui Botanical Garden meets 8:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 150 Kanaloa Ave., Kahului, Maui, to do beautification and maintenance work; tools, gloves, drinking water provided; wear shoes; 808-249-2798.

LYON ARBORETUM WORKDAY, weeding and garden maintenance with arboretum grounds crew, first Saturday monthly; times/information: 988-0455.

NIAULANI FOREST WORKDAY, volunteers needed, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., third Sunday of each month; Volcano Art Center, Niaulani campus, Volcano Village, Big Island; 808-967-8222.

MAKIKI FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT, volunteers needed as part of Makiki Watershed Awareness Initiative forest restoration project, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., fourth Saturday of each month; 973-9782.

NATIONAL GARDEN HELP, volunteers needed to protect rare plants and ecosystems at National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kaua'i; 808-332-7324, ext. 228, or volunteer@ntbg.org.

Send announcements, at least 10 days before event, with contact name and phone number, to: Island Life, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; or islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Home & Garden Cal" in the subject line.