(HONOLULU) – After two “virtual” years of celebration, ??hi?a Love Fest returns with numerous in-person events across Hawai?i. The theme of this year’s festivities is M?hala, or the unfurling of the lehua. It is a life stage of the blossoming lehua, but it also represents how we are emerging out of COVID with a new celebration.  

‘?hi‘a is critical to providing the water we drink, keeping our ocean reefs clean, and is important to the native Hawaiian culture. Earlier this year, ?hi?a was named the State Endemic Tree of Hawai?i. All activities are free, but a few do require advance registration.

Schedule of Events:

    Maui:  
    Saturday, November 5, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Maui Nui Botanical Gardens will give away more than 1,000 Hawaiian trees for free, 1 tree per person, any age. The MALP Garden Expo will feature horticultural and tree care classes, a plant sale, and free activities, including a special “Hale ??hi?a” to learn about ??hi?a.  

    Hawai?i Island:
    Saturday, November 19, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Pahoa Community Center will host an ??hi?a potting workshop, booths, games, prizes, and a raffle giveaway.  

    O?ahu:
    Saturday, November 19, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Leeward Community College will host booths, workshops, crafts, and giveaways. Enter for a chance to win 2 tickets to tour Waihe?e tunnel and see firsthand how a watershed and aquifer works. All prizes and giveaways are available on a first–come, first–serve basis, including a ohia starter kit.

    Kaua?i:
    Tuesday, November 15 – Saturday, November 19: A week-long schedule of activities include an ??hi?a seed collecting hike, ??hi?a tree planting around the island, ??hi?a seedling give-aways, bio-sanitation kit give-aways, all culminating in a daylong celebration with a native plant sale, educational booths, cultural demonstrations, local craft & food vendors, and ??hi?a themed presentations at Limahuli Garden and Preserve.

    As in past years, the festival celebrates ??hi?a lehua as Hawaii’s most ecologically and culturally important tree species. ‘?hi‘a is currently under threat from two deadly fungal pathogens, resulting in a disease known as Rapid ‘?hi‘a Death (ROD). Included in the week’s activities will be information about how ROD spreads and the actions needed to protect remaining healthy ??hi?a. The festival is designed for the whole family.  

    These statewide events are brought to you by the University of Hawai?i, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and island Invasive Species Committees.