LKOC Activities and Events
On this page, click on the following links to find:
~ Arbor Day
~ Fourth of July Parade
~ LKOC’S Special Events via Zoom and In-person
~ LKOC General Membership Meetings and Luncheons
~ LKOC Holiday Events & House and Garden Tour
~ Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Workshop
~ Boettcher Estate
We invite you to also to click on the following links to view these pages:
~ “I Love Kailua” Town Party: Our Annual Fundraiser
~ Upcoming Events: Information on upcoming events
~ Tree Preservation: Preserving Our Tree Canopy, including Educational Outreach
~ Beautification Projects: Beautifying Kailua Since 1948, including Video and Map
~ LKOC History: Detailed History of LKOC Since1948
~ LKOC/WCCC Partnership: Projects at the Woman’s Community Correctional Center
~ Volunteer Opportunities: Including Kalama Beach Park Workdays
SPRING 2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING & LUNCHEON
MAY 14, 2025
LKOC held its Spring 2025 Annual General Membership Meeting on May 14, 2025, to elect its Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 term. It was held at Banyans Craft Kitchen and Lounge in Kailua and featured Banyans award-winning Chef Cidney Wilcox, a fashion show presented by Classic Waves Boutique, and guest speaker Roxanne Adams, C&C Division of Urban Forestry Administrator. Her division manages the planting and maintenance of all of Oahu’s trees on city property, including streets and parks.
MAY 14, 2025
LKOC held its Spring 2025 Annual General Membership Meeting on May 14, 2025, to elect its Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 term. It was held at Banyans Craft Kitchen and Lounge in Kailua and featured Banyans award-winning Chef Cidney Wilcox, a fashion show presented by Classic Waves Boutique, and guest speaker Roxanne Adams, C&C Division of Urban Forestry Administrator. Her division manages the planting and maintenance of all of Oahu’s trees on city property, including streets and parks.
Here’s a short slide show with event highlights. Enjoy!
ANNUAL HOLIDAY LUNCHEON 2024
LKOC held its annual 2024 Holiday Luncheon on December 6, 2024, at Goen Dining + Bar.
Our guest speaker was Steve Nimz, who held a “talk story”session with our guests, and imparted his knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics.
It was a wonderful event, enjoyed by all.
Here is a slide show video of the entertaining and informative event.
Enjoy!
LKOC 2023 Annual Holiday Membership Meeting/Luncheon
was held November 28, 2023 at the historic Oahu Country Club in Nu’uanu.
Our Guest speaker was Myles Ritchie, Outdoor Circle Programs Director,
and we were treated to a wonderful vintage muumuu fashion show by Lei Batty of DeStash.
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ARBOR DAY KAILUA 2025! The Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle, in partnership with Smart Trees Pacific, will be hosting their annual Arbor Day Tree Giveaway in Kailua on Saturday November 8, 2025, 9-12 Kailua United Methodist Church Hundreds of ornamental and fruit trees, flowering shrubs and native plants will be given away. Arborists and Master Gardeners will be there to help with plant selections, and many informational booths will be on site. The annual ”We ❤️ Trees” Student Art Contest winners will be announced. Reservations will be required, so sign up early! Click <HERE> to find out how to register and see what plants will be available. 
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Heres a video capturing the November 2024 event. Enjoy!
Heres a video capturing the November 2024 event. Enjoy!
EVERYONE LOVES A PARADE!
LKOC has been participating in the Kailua Fourth of July Parade since the first one in 1949!
Below is a photo of our entry that year, in which we encouraged residents to “Make Kailua a Garden City” by planting trees and shrubs in their yards.
LKOC has been participating in the Kailua Fourth of July Parade since the first one in 1949!
Below is a photo of our entry that year, in which we encouraged residents to “Make Kailua a Garden City” by planting trees and shrubs in their yards.
HERE ARE OUR KAILUA FOURTH OF JULY PARADE ENTRIES SINCE 2017
2017
At the annual Kailua Fourth of July Parade in 2017, Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle showed Kailua we are still working to keep Kailua clean, green and beautiful. Mr. Mynah and Anti Litter marched with us to remind everyone not to litter.
In the 1960s, The Outdoor Circle started a statewide
anti-litter campaign, resulting in the establishment of the first recycling plant on Oahu, on Sand Island in 1967, as well as the establishment of mascots for the program, Mr. Mynah and Anti Litter, created for us by noted local cartoonist Harry Lyons. Now, 50 years later, these two mascots still continue to promote awareness of environmental issues and the importance of trees through our educational outreach and community activities.
At the annual Kailua Fourth of July Parade in 2017, Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle showed Kailua we are still working to keep Kailua clean, green and beautiful. Mr. Mynah and Anti Litter marched with us to remind everyone not to litter.
In the 1960s, The Outdoor Circle started a statewide
anti-litter campaign, resulting in the establishment of the first recycling plant on Oahu, on Sand Island in 1967, as well as the establishment of mascots for the program, Mr. Mynah and Anti Litter, created for us by noted local cartoonist Harry Lyons. Now, 50 years later, these two mascots still continue to promote awareness of environmental issues and the importance of trees through our educational outreach and community activities.
In the float depicted above, we distributed lettuce seeds from our “Learning to Grow” hydroponics program at The Women's Community Correctional Center (WCCC) to parade watchers.
Thanks for all the friendly cheers when we went by!
Thanks for all the friendly cheers when we went by!
2018
LKOC Partnership with WCCC also supports the Community Service Workline, who maintain the landscaping at Alala Point at the entrance to Lanikai. They have been doing so, under LKOC auspices since 1999! For the 4th of July Parade in 2018, the women marched with us in the parade, in which our float depicted a replica of the stone marker at Alala Point.
LKOC Partnership with WCCC also supports the Community Service Workline, who maintain the landscaping at Alala Point at the entrance to Lanikai. They have been doing so, under LKOC auspices since 1999! For the 4th of July Parade in 2018, the women marched with us in the parade, in which our float depicted a replica of the stone marker at Alala Point.
Our Alala Point float won an award for "Best Use of Theme". LKOC Beautification Chair, Steve Mechler, accepted the award from Kailua Chamber of Commerce Vice President Mike Fry.
2019
In 2019, on the parade’s 70th anniversary, our float (shown below) depicted the Kalapawai Triangle Banyan, planted by LKOC in 1954. Over the decades, LKOC has installed and renovated the triangle landscaping several times (in 1970, 1978, and 2010), and continues to maintain the landscaping and irrigation at the triangle, now a rotary, to this day. This now iconic banyan is just one of the many planting projects that LKOC has been proud to sponsor over the years. The float designer, Jason Hills, and driver, Lori Lloyd, are shown in the photo below, as well as an actual photo of the triangle on the day of the event.
2019
In 2019, on the parade’s 70th anniversary, our float (shown below) depicted the Kalapawai Triangle Banyan, planted by LKOC in 1954. Over the decades, LKOC has installed and renovated the triangle landscaping several times (in 1970, 1978, and 2010), and continues to maintain the landscaping and irrigation at the triangle, now a rotary, to this day. This now iconic banyan is just one of the many planting projects that LKOC has been proud to sponsor over the years. The float designer, Jason Hills, and driver, Lori Lloyd, are shown in the photo below, as well as an actual photo of the triangle on the day of the event.
2023
in 2023, after a pause due to COVID, in honor of LKOC’s 75 Anniversary, our parade entry consisted of our marchers displaying “We Did It” signs showing all of the various beautification projects and advocacy efforts that LKOC has been involved in since 1948!
in 2023, after a pause due to COVID, in honor of LKOC’s 75 Anniversary, our parade entry consisted of our marchers displaying “We Did It” signs showing all of the various beautification projects and advocacy efforts that LKOC has been involved in since 1948!
2024
In 2024, the theme for the 75th Kailua Fourth of July Parade was “Kaimana - Shining Through the Years”. Our parade entry exemplified our beautification efforts in public spaces in Kailua since 1948 - with a center banyan tree surrounded by miniature to-scale landscaping materials, reflecting our work to keep Kailua clean, green, and beautiful! It also displayed the photo of our first parade entry in 1949. We are proud to have had an entry in every parade since then!
Also shown below is a short slide show video of the parade.
In 2024, the theme for the 75th Kailua Fourth of July Parade was “Kaimana - Shining Through the Years”. Our parade entry exemplified our beautification efforts in public spaces in Kailua since 1948 - with a center banyan tree surrounded by miniature to-scale landscaping materials, reflecting our work to keep Kailua clean, green, and beautiful! It also displayed the photo of our first parade entry in 1949. We are proud to have had an entry in every parade since then!
Also shown below is a short slide show video of the parade.
2025
The theme for the 2025 Kailua Fourth of July Parade was “Waves of Aloha”.
Our beautiful float depicted our “Green Wave of Aloha” for Kailua”, symbolizing our enduring mission of keeping Kailua clean, green, and beautiful since 1949!
Also shown below is a short slide show video of the parade. Enjoy!
HOLIDAY HOUSE AND GARDEN TOUR
In December 2018, LKOC hosted its “Holiday House and Garden Tour” for our members, and their families and friends. The event included self guided tours of 5-6 unique private homes and gardens in Kailua, each festively decorated for the holidays, as well as a luncheon following the tour.
For 2018, our volunteers created lovely wreaths, garlands and baskets as decorations for the luncheon, as shown here. These, as well as unique plants and baked goods and various local crafters’ artwork, were available to purchase.
For 2018, our volunteers created lovely wreaths, garlands and baskets as decorations for the luncheon, as shown here. These, as well as unique plants and baked goods and various local crafters’ artwork, were available to purchase.
One of the homes had lovely painted wall art where the home owner had used natural fronds and leaves as the stencil templates, as shown below. If you are interested in duplicating this technique in your own home, click <here> to find instructions on how to do so.
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Another lovely home had local artists displaying their artwork, and others had beautiful gardens with eclectic and unique art pieces and plantings, a sampling of which is shown below.
LKOC’S SPECIAL EVENT SERIES
Starting in 2021, LKOC began hosting a special events series for your participation and viewing pleasure. To learn about these events as they are planned, visit our Upcoming Events page for details. Many of the events were recorded and posted for viewing afterward (on the Outdoor Circle’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC706vwCtTngVDWJrJfOxTsA),
and are very informative and fun to watch.
and are very informative and fun to watch.
UH Campus Arboretum Tour
A docent-led tour of the extraordinary collection of trees at the UH Manoa Campus Arboretum
was held on Saturday, September 7, 9-11 am.
Our wonderful tour guide, Noweo Kai, the curator for the arboretum (which encompasses the entire campus),
gave us a fascinating and historically informative tour including visits to trees planted by Joseph Rock
over a hundred years ago, as well as magnificent trees that predate the opening of the College of Hawaii in 1912.
(It was renamed the University of Hawaii in 1920).
The tour started in front of Hawaii Hall the original College Building. It was a special treat to see native manu-o-ku white terns nesting in trees (they don’t make nests, but rather lay their eggs on the branches).
Here is a slide show of the event.
Enjoy!
A docent-led tour of the extraordinary collection of trees at the UH Manoa Campus Arboretum
was held on Saturday, September 7, 9-11 am.
Our wonderful tour guide, Noweo Kai, the curator for the arboretum (which encompasses the entire campus),
gave us a fascinating and historically informative tour including visits to trees planted by Joseph Rock
over a hundred years ago, as well as magnificent trees that predate the opening of the College of Hawaii in 1912.
(It was renamed the University of Hawaii in 1920).
The tour started in front of Hawaii Hall the original College Building. It was a special treat to see native manu-o-ku white terns nesting in trees (they don’t make nests, but rather lay their eggs on the branches).
Here is a slide show of the event.
Enjoy!
KOKO CRATER BOTANICAL GARDEN WALKING TOUR
On April 14, 2023, LKOC hosted a docent-led walking tour of Koko Crater Botanical Garden. The garden was in full bloom, and the guests enjoyed the spectacular setting and lovely flowering trees and plants, as shown in the photo below.
For those interested in taking the tour on their own, from the comfort of their own home, our Outdoor Circle Programs Director Myles Ritchie has created a virtual online tour (using Google Trekker backpack-mounted camera system), which can be found at the following link:https://maps.app.goo.gl/VCfpgfKPmZmftbkZA?g_st=ic
On April 14, 2023, LKOC hosted a docent-led walking tour of Koko Crater Botanical Garden. The garden was in full bloom, and the guests enjoyed the spectacular setting and lovely flowering trees and plants, as shown in the photo below.
For those interested in taking the tour on their own, from the comfort of their own home, our Outdoor Circle Programs Director Myles Ritchie has created a virtual online tour (using Google Trekker backpack-mounted camera system), which can be found at the following link:https://maps.app.goo.gl/VCfpgfKPmZmftbkZA?g_st=ic
Photos courtesy of Lori Lloyd
POT ET FLEURS TUTORAL
Our first event, held March 19, 2021, was a tutorial on creating your own
“Pot et Fleurs” Easter basket, presented by Pam Ross. She included a charming history of how these types of arrangements came to be popular in Victorian England in the late 19th century. Zoom participants followed Pam along as they each constructed their own Pot et Fleurs baskets at home, from supplies they had been provided by LKOC prior to the event.
The results were stunning!
To view a video of the tutorial, click <HERE>.
Our first event, held March 19, 2021, was a tutorial on creating your own
“Pot et Fleurs” Easter basket, presented by Pam Ross. She included a charming history of how these types of arrangements came to be popular in Victorian England in the late 19th century. Zoom participants followed Pam along as they each constructed their own Pot et Fleurs baskets at home, from supplies they had been provided by LKOC prior to the event.
The results were stunning!
To view a video of the tutorial, click <HERE>.
HAKU LEI WRISTLET TUTORIAL
Our second event, held April 16, 2021, was a tutorial on creating your own “Haku Lei Wristlet”, presented by Jean Kellerman. Zoom participants followed Jean as she taught them how to construct the wristlet at their home, using the supplies provided by LKOC prior to the event. One of our creative participants added her Haku wristlet to her Pot et Fleurs basket. How beautiful! To view a video of the demonstration, click <HERE>.
Our second event, held April 16, 2021, was a tutorial on creating your own “Haku Lei Wristlet”, presented by Jean Kellerman. Zoom participants followed Jean as she taught them how to construct the wristlet at their home, using the supplies provided by LKOC prior to the event. One of our creative participants added her Haku wristlet to her Pot et Fleurs basket. How beautiful! To view a video of the demonstration, click <HERE>.
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HAWAII GREEN GROWTH PRESENTATION
Our third event, held May 21, 2021, was a presentation by Celeste Connors, Executive Director of Hawaii Green Growth.
This extremely informative talk on their Aloha+ Challenge’s sustainability and conservation efforts here in Hawaii, and how our island home has been recognized as a model for global initiatives,
is a must see!
Through their efforts, and your participation, we can all play a part in saving Island Earth!
To view a video of the talk, click <HERE>.
Our third event, held May 21, 2021, was a presentation by Celeste Connors, Executive Director of Hawaii Green Growth.
This extremely informative talk on their Aloha+ Challenge’s sustainability and conservation efforts here in Hawaii, and how our island home has been recognized as a model for global initiatives,
is a must see!
Through their efforts, and your participation, we can all play a part in saving Island Earth!
To view a video of the talk, click <HERE>.
HE'E BERRY LEI TUTORIAL
Our fourth event, held June 17, 2021 was a delightful demonstration on how
to make a beautiful He’e Berry lei, given by noted Kumu Hula Hillary Aipa.
In addition to describing the history and care that must be taken when using this berry, she gave a wonderful background and ‘talk story’ presentation of
her experiences growing up in Hawaii, and the special significance of what lei making means. Each item you put on a lei, whether a flower, shell, berry, or leaf, represents a thought of aloha and love, for both the lei maker and the lei recipient. Shown here is a sample of the beautiful lei that were created.
To view a video of this delightful demonstration, click <HERE>.
FOSTER BOTANICAL GARDEN TOUR
Our fifth “Third Friday” series event was an in person gathering for a guided tour of Foster Botanical Gardens on July 16, 2021. It was a lovely stroll through the Gardens lead by Joshlyn Sand, Director of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens. She provided a wealth of information about the trees and plantings as well as background information and humorous asides relative to the work that goes on in our Botanical Gardens.
After the tour, attendees gathered for a picnic lunch, with desert provided by LKOC’s Programs Committee. It was wonderful to all
be able to get together again, especially in this beautiful setting.
Strict COVID protocols set up by the Garden, including proof of vaccination, were followed.
Our fifth “Third Friday” series event was an in person gathering for a guided tour of Foster Botanical Gardens on July 16, 2021. It was a lovely stroll through the Gardens lead by Joshlyn Sand, Director of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens. She provided a wealth of information about the trees and plantings as well as background information and humorous asides relative to the work that goes on in our Botanical Gardens.
After the tour, attendees gathered for a picnic lunch, with desert provided by LKOC’s Programs Committee. It was wonderful to all
be able to get together again, especially in this beautiful setting.
Strict COVID protocols set up by the Garden, including proof of vaccination, were followed.
BOETTCHER ESTATE KAILUA
Our sixth "Third Friday" series event, held October 15, 2021, was a zoom meeting to highlight the deteriorating condition of the Boettcher Estate, Kalama Beach Park, in Kailua. LKOC members were heavily involved with the estate in prior years, spearheading its landscape preservation. The event was hosted by our Programs Committee Chair Pam Ross, and featured a video and then discussion of what can be done to preserve this iconic historic structure.
To view a video of this meeting and discussion, click <HERE>.
To view a short video of the current condition of the Estate, click on the image below.
Our sixth "Third Friday" series event, held October 15, 2021, was a zoom meeting to highlight the deteriorating condition of the Boettcher Estate, Kalama Beach Park, in Kailua. LKOC members were heavily involved with the estate in prior years, spearheading its landscape preservation. The event was hosted by our Programs Committee Chair Pam Ross, and featured a video and then discussion of what can be done to preserve this iconic historic structure.
To view a video of this meeting and discussion, click <HERE>.
To view a short video of the current condition of the Estate, click on the image below.
HOLIDAY GARLAND TUTORIAL
Our final "Third Friday Series" Zoom event, held November 19, 2021, featured Gail Hutchinson, noted wreath maker, florist, and past President of The Garden Club of Honolulu, who lead us in a demonstration of making a beautiful garland for your table. The garland used "backyard" local materials, including croton, ti, Song of India, and other tropical plants.
To view a video of this delightful demonstration, click <HERE>.
Here are examples of the beautiful garlands created by participants, lovely for decorating for their Thanksgiving tables!
