UH Hilo Celebrates National Public Garden Day May 10

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo invites the public to celebrate National Public Garden Day Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Botanical Garden on the UH Hilo campus. This event is being held in conjunction with National Public Gardens Week, held May 9–18, across North America.

To mark the occasion, the UH Hilo Botanical Garden offers three free guided tours. Visitors can explore unique aspects of tropical gardening, learn from the experts, and discover what makes this garden a vital part of the local community.

Designing with Palms in Hawai’i begins at 10 a.m. Participants will learn which palms offer the best combination of hardiness, visual impact, and low maintenance for their corner of paradise.

Founder’s Tour is at Noon. Walk the garden with Dr. Don Hemmes, UH Hilo professor emeritus and founder of the UH Hilo Botanical Garden, and hear how it all began. From early plantings to long-term dreams, this tour is rich with history and heart.

The final tour is Why Plant a Cycad? at 2 p.m. Discover why cycads are the ultimate low-maintenance statement plants for Hawaiian landscapes, and how choosing the right species can support global conservation.

The UH Hilo Botanical Garden was started in 1990 and is home to over 120 species of cycads, as well as hybrid bromeliads and gigantic palms. In December 2024, it was recognized as an accreditation garden by the Botanic Gardens Conservation International.

“The UH Hilo Botanical Garden is dedicated to plant conservation, research, and education,” Hemmes said. “Featuring an impressive collection of cycads, bromeliads, and palms, the garden serves as a valuable resource for the community and a contributor to global plant conservation initiatives.”

The UH Hilo Botanical Garden is open daily with no admission fee.