For those interested in more information about the Outdoor Circle and its branches statewide,
we invite you to view the following links on the LKOC website:
~ Interesting little-known Historical Vignettes about TOC and its Branches:
https://www.lkoc.org/TOC-Historical-Facts.html
~ Interactive map of TOC Urban Honolulu Environmental Stewardship 1912 to Present:
https://www.lkoc.org/TOC-stewardship.html#UrbanHonoluluMap
~ Interactive map of LKOC Environmental Stewardship 1948 to Present:
​https://www.lkoc.org/TOC-stewardship.html#KailuaMap​
~ Interactive map of North Shore Branch Environmental Stewardship 1960 to Present:
​https://www.lkoc.org/TOC-stewardship.html#NorthShoreMap

Helpful Resources

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HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT A TREE OR PLANT OR HOME GARDENING?
INTERESTED IN A VISUAL OR INTERACTIVE TOUR OF SPECTACULAR GARDENS?
LOOKING FOR EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?
Use these links to find a wealth of information, helplines, websites and
blogs available to help you.
Thanks to all who contribute ideas to include on this page!
​

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INVASIVE SPECIES ALERT - COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLES - February 2025
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) infestation impacts us all!
CRB have already devastated palm species on the North Shore, Central Oahu, and other areas,
and are now here in Kailua and on the Windward side.
Coconut trees are foundational to Hawaii’s cultural heritage, agriculture,
ecosystems and economy, and we need YOUR help to stop the spread.
Visit our CRB Call to Action page for information on
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW!​

INVASIVE SPECIES ALERT - LITTLE FIRE ANTS - December 2023

Invasive species such as Little Fire Ants, coconut rhinoceros beetles and coqui frogs are still continuing concerns in our Windward district.
To learn more about how to combat Little Fire Ants, click here: invasive species.

For information or to report on invasive species, use these contacts:
Statewide Pest Hotline, 643-PEST (7378), Report new pest sightings at https://www.643pest.org
Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council - https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc, Email Chelsea Arnott at [email protected]
Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS), (808) 722-0995, Email Christy Martin at [email protected]
Hawaiʻi Ant Lab - Oʻahu Office, (808) 824-1366, Email [email protected], https://stoptheant.org
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response, (808) 679-5244, Email [email protected], Report Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle discoveries at https://www.crbhawaii.org/report
Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC), (808) 286-4616, Email [email protected]

​

USEFUL RESOURCES FOR INFORMATION ON TREES AND PLANTS

• Who to call for questions about trees on public property (from City and County of Honolulu)

​ https://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/dpr/duf_docs/guidelinesfortreeinquiries072011.pdf

• Identify your tree or plant (from Wildlife of Hawaii)

https://wildlifeofhawaii.com/flowers/category/growth-habit/trees/

• Useful links to a variety topics, including invasive species, and urban and community forestry resources (State of Hawaii, Division of Forestry and Wildlife):

​ http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/lap/kaulunani/links/

• Informational brochure on how and where to plant trees on your property (from Hawaii Electric Light Company)

https://view.hawaiielectriclight.com/planting-the-right-tree-in-the-right-place/page/1

• ​Useful links to a variety of topics, including Native Plant Propagation and Care, how to build a Rain Garden, and Watershed Restoration projects (from Hui O Ko’olaupoko)

https://www.huihawaii.org/resources.html

• ​Useful links and information as well as a list of Tree Care Professionals in Hawaii, all Islands (Aloha Arborist Association)

https://alohaarborist.com/

• Useful links and information on how to plant trees on your property, why trees are so important, and how to “go green” at home (from HomeAdvisor.com)

https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/plant-trees-at-home-for-the-planet/​

• For Kids! A kid's guide to the parts of a flower. A very informative, fun, and engaging guide (from AvasFlowers.net)

https://www.avasflowers.net/kids-guide-to-the-parts-of-a-flower

• Interesting facts about the value and importance of trees to our communities and our environment (from Marine Corps Base Hawai’i)​https://www.mcbhawaii.marines.mil/Portals/114/WebDocuments/IEL/Environmental/FishWildlifePlants/070501-TheValueofTreestoaCommunity.pdf
  
• Interesting article about Honolulu’s disappearing Urban Tree Canopy and initiatives to address it (from Honolulu Magazine)

https://www.honolulumagazine.com/honolulu-is-losing-trees-when-we-need-them-more-than-ever-can-new-initiatives-save-us/

• ​Learn more about the benefits of trees, and how you can help steward Hawaii’s urban and community forests (from USDA Urban and Community Forestry Program)

​ https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r5/communityforests/?cid=stelprdb5341641

• Find the perfect pono plant for your landscape, search by color, growth form and more! (from Plant Pono)​

https://plantpono.org/

• Educational information about photosynthesis in plants and flowers (from FragranceX)

https://www.fragrancex.com/fragrance-information/photosynthesis-in-plants-and-flowers.html

• An informative summary of the importance of trees in our communities and their contributions to our planet’s biodiversity, with useful links to additional resources (from PlaygroundEquipment.com
  

​https://www.playgroundequipment.com/outdoor-learning-the-importance-of-trees/

• A beginner’s guide to basic gardening, from planning to maintaining one, including gardening types, essentials tools, soil types and more (from HandyManReviewed)

https://www.handymanreviewed.com/a-beginners-guide-to-gardening
​​
​USEFUL INFORMATION ON COMPOSTING
Composting is nature’s way of recycling. It is one of the most powerful actions we can take to reduce our trash, address climate change, and build healthy soil.

• A comprehensive and informative guide for composting at home, including vermicomposting (worms!) (from EPA)

https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home

• An informative and easy to follow guide for composting at home, how reducing food waste helps the environment (from Grillio.com)

https://grillio.com/blog/grillios-guide-to-food-waste-and-composting/
​​

USEFUL INFORMATION FROM THE UH COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE
The following sites are part of the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) Cooperative Extension Service (CE):

• UH Master Gardeners helplines for plant related questions for all major islands

https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/uhmgprogram/Helplines

• Oahu Master Gardeners home page, provides training for volunteers, helplines

https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/uhmgprogram/HOME/Oahu

• Information on Trees in Hawaii​

https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/Forestry-Agroforestry-Trees

• Services provided, for example, pest identification, soil analysis

https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/Services

• Information on tropical plants, types of soil, rainfall, native species, invasive species

https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/uhmgprogram/Tropical-Topics

​
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR HAWAIIAN PLANTS, TREE DISEASE AND PEST PREVENTION

• Native Plants Hawaii

http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu

• ​Tree Protection - Collection of Resources

​ https://www.wirefence.co.uk/tree-protection

​WALKING TOURS, VIRTUAL TOURS AND INTERACTIVE MAPS OF GARDENS

• Virtual self-guided tours of 50 of Hawai‘i’s most iconic and unique environmental locations on Oahua, Kauai, Mauai and Hawaii Island, mapped by the Outdoor Circle. Split screen interactive views showing site image at top and route map below allow you to move along the trail and pan or zoom at your leisure. Experience hiking the Kalalau Trail from Haena to Hanakapiai! Or take a leisurely stroll through Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden!

https://www.outdoorcircle.org/google-trekker.html

• Maps and guides to Oahu’s five spectacular Botanical Gardens: Ho’omaluhia, Foster, Koko Crater, Wahiawa, and Liliuokalani.

https://www.honolulu.gov/parks/hbg/

• Interactive map and self-guided tour of Waimea’s Ulu La’au Nature Park, established and maintained by the Waimea Outdoor Circle Branch, with the largest collection of flowering Lehua Ohia trees in the world!

https://tocetm.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour/index.html?appid=faa3730c724649ef8470d09183f538aa#info

• Virtual tours of 10 Must-See Gardens in the United Kingdom, with docent guided tours that you can watch and listen to from the comfort of home, including Kew Gardens, Highgrove Gardens, and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

https://www.mastermanchester.co.uk/best-virtual-gardens-uk/

• Self-guided nature walks through greater Waikiki, including Ala Moana Park, Fort DeRussy, Kapiolani Park and the Ala Wai Promenade. They include maps and informative descriptions at significant points along each route, and feature Waikiki’s magnificent trees and historic sights.

https://www.waikikioutdoorcircle.org/walks--parks.html

INTERACTIVE MAPS OF THE OUTDOOR CIRCLE’S ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

• ​Interactive map of TOC Urban Honolulu Environmental Stewardship 1912 to Present:
  

https://www.lkoc.org/TOC-stewardship.html#UrbanHonoluluMap

• Interactive map of LKOC Environmental Stewardship 1948 to Present:
  

​https://www.lkoc.org/TOC-stewardship.html#KailuaMap​

• Interactive map of North Shore Branch Environmental Stewardship 1960 to Present:
  

​https://www.lkoc.org/TOC-stewardship.html#NorthShoreMap