UH Hilo event celebrates new, international recognition of campus palm plants

An Arbor Day celebration will focus on palms this year after the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Botanical Garden’s palms were internationally recognized.

As part of the celebration, the Palm Garden at the Botanical Garden at UH Hilo is being recognized with ArbNet accreditation, underscoring the Palm Garden’s commitment to conservation, education, and community engagement. The milestone achievement affirms the garden’s place within an international network of arboreta meeting rigorous global standards.

To mark the occasion, the Botanical Garden is hosting a plant giveaway today while supplies last, offering community members the opportunity to take home a palm or bromeliad to plant in celebration of Arbor Day.

The celebration will also feature J.R. Miles, the horticultural manager of the Botanical Garden at UH Hilo, as he presents “Caring for Your Palms,” a comprehensive guide to successfully growing and maintaining palms in Hawaiʻi’s unique environment.

He will share practical tips on palm care, including choosing the right placement, proper watering and drainage, the importance of mulch in Hawaiʻi, fertilization basics, and how to troubleshoot issues like yellowing leaves, pests, and threats such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle.

“The Botanical Garden is committed to fostering awareness and appreciation of plants,” said Don Hemmes, who started the Botanical Garden at UH Hilo. “This Arbor Day celebration highlights the importance of trees and palms in our landscapes, our environment, and our everyday lives.”

The event is free from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the UH Hilo campus. Parking for the event is off Lanikaula Street, in the lot across from the Baptist Church. Guests can meet in the Hale Kehau cafeteria breezeway located between the gardens.

Vegan food by Ital Grindz Ethiopian Cuisine will be available for purchase while supplies last.

Founded in 1990, the Botanical Garden at UH Hilo is home to a collection of cycads, palms, and bromeliads. In December 2024, it earned accreditation from Botanic Gardens Conservation International, joining a global network dedicated to conservation, education, and community engagement.

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