SATURDAY SCOOPS
Xeriscaping: Great garden, less water

Advertiser Staff and News Services

The kalanchoe is one of a number of plants that need little or no watering. Below, volunteer Betty Slaughter helps get a kalanchoe ready for today's xeriscaping plant sale in Halawa. Photos by Deborah booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

Halawa Open House and Unthirsty Plant Sale Garden tours, xeriscape workshops, Hawaiian plant seeds giveaway 9 a.m.-3 p.m. today Halawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1268 Iwaena St., Halawa Valley industrial area 748-5041 Free

It's a recent trend in gardening that combines water conservation with aesthetic beauty. (Veteran gardeners and newbies alike can learn all about it at today's Halawa Xeriscape Garden Open House and Unthirsty Plant Sale). Among the benefits: Chop time and costs, fend off drought, create a pretty garden and, in the not-so-distant future, possibly forestall a worldwide water crisis.

"In a single-family home, research shows most of your water is used outdoors on your landscape," said Arthur Aiu, community relations specialist for the Board of Water Supply, which runs the Halawa garden. Aiu says xeriscaping can cut home water use by 30 percent to 80 percent. "You can save a good amount where you use it the most."

Xeriscaping floats on seven fundamental elements in gardening: planning and design, limited turf areas, efficient irrigation, soil improvements, mulching, less-thirsty plants, and good maintenance. For instance: Choose an appropriate amount of grass.

"Grass is the thirstiest and requires the most maintenance," Aiu said. He recommends isolating grass's function, keeping just enough in your garden for barbeques and pets. The rest can be replaced with alternative materials, such as ground covers, unthirsty plants or mulches.

Unthirsty plants also are as practical as they are attractive. Many of these plants are native to Hawai'i, thriving on natural rainfall and minimal watering. They require no irrigation and can contain their own water.

These plants include the kalanchoe, which spreads large pink and yellow pillow leaves. The alula is another unthirsty plant, with white, delicate flowers often called "cabbage on a stick" because of the brush of green leaves that sprouts out from the stem.

Different plants are appropriate for different types of environments. "If you live near the beach, you wouldn't try to grow a plant that grows well in the mountain," Aiu said.

Before you dive into xeriscaping, though, you might want to take some time to plan out your garden. "Your wallet dictates what you want to do," Aiu said. "You don't want to do it in a weekend."

The garden will not sprout up overnight, he said. Rather, it's important to create a plan that will help your garden flourish over a period of time.

Three — count 'em, three — harmonica bands!

For something completely different, there's the all-harmonicas-all-the-time 7th annual concert presented by the Hawaii Harmonica Society.

The International Cultural & Friendship Association Harmonica Band, Ichigu Harmonica Band and Small World Harmonica Band will play music from Europe, Latin America, Asia, North America and Hawai'i.

The concert takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. today at Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew's Cathedral. It's free, but donations are accepted.

Swingin' along at Jazz Festival

The 11th annual Hawaii International Jazz Festival concludes tonight at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Castle Theater. Tonight's theme is "Swingtime in Hawaii" and includes artists Melveen Leed, Jimmy Borges, Keahi Conjugacion, Andrea Young, Gabe Baltazar and others. The concert begins at 7. Tickets are $20, $35 and $45. (808) 242-7469.

Use vinegar to unclog a slow shower head

Clogged shower heads are annoying. When mineral deposits build up, water flow slows to a trickle.

If your shower head runs slow, pour a cup of white vinegar into a small plastic bag. Secure the bag with the shower head completely immersed in the vinegar. You can tape the bag around the pipe leading to the shower head or even use a

rubber band. Let it soak overnight. This only works for chrome-plated heads and should not be used for brass or gold fixtures. The next morning, remove the bag, wipe the shower head with a damp cloth and shower away!

It's your last chance to enjoy State Farm Fair

Had your fill of critters and carnival games? No? Then head to Kapolei, where the Hawaii State Farm Fair is in its final weekend, weather permitting.

Among the attractions: demos and samples, a country market, livestock and petting zoo, orchid and plant show, food booths, entertainment and the E.K. Fernandez midway of rides.

Hours are noon to midnight today and tomorrow. Admission is $3 general (12 and older), $2 children (4-11 years), free for kids 3 and younger.

Tomorrow is Pepsi Day: Bring in an empty Pepsi can noon to 6 p.m. for 50 cent admission. Parking: $2 at Kapolei Fairgrounds. www.ekfernandez.com.

Glaze a tea bowl your way at Kualoa Regional Park

You glaze, they fire. Sounds like a simple recipe for ceramics success, and it happens today at Kualoa Regional Park as the Hawaii Craftsmen's annual Raku Ho'olaule'a fires up its community kiln.

It goes like this: You pay $5 for a tea bowl, which you will glaze. Hint No. 1: the part of the bowl that has no glaze turns out black. Hint No. 2: this is all very addictive. Raku volunteers fire the bowl for you, wash it off, and voilÃ! You get to take it home.

Depending on how many bowls must be fired, you might have to wait a bit for your own art piece(s). All the better to walk the beach, chat with the potters and admire their creations.

Community kiln hours are 9 a.m. top 1 p.m., weather permitting, on the windward side of the park.

Navatek cruise benefits public radio

It might be raining outside, but inside the snug, enclosed Navatek I, it's still party time tonight on the KIPO Jazz and Blues Cruise, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Entertainment is provided by Nueva Vida, featuring vocalist Anita Hall; and Backstreet, featuring Chris Vandercook. There'll be free snacks, too.

Check-in is at 8:15 p.m. at the Aloha Tower Marketplace, Pier 6, or at Hooters, where there's a pre-cruise party 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Cruise admission is $38, $35 for Hawai'i Public Radio members. Proceeds will benefit HPR. Call 973-1311 for reservations.

This weekend's Sunset on the Beach canceled

Sunset on the Beach alert: Because of possible stormy weather, the weekend festivals of food, entertainment and movies at Queen's Surf Beach has been canceled.

Academy of Arts' Free Sunday moves to tomorrow, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

It's time again to sample the arts — for free! — at the Honolulu Academy of Arts: The monthly Bank of Hawaii Free Sunday happens 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow. Usually the event takes place on the third Sunday of the month; it's moved to the second Sunday this time.

Tomorrow's theme is "Where in the World? Asia" and features entertainment including Noriye Tachibana (pictured) performing a narrative dance called Nihon Buyo, a kung-fu demonstration, a lion dance and hands-on activities for the youngsters. And of course, you're free to wander the galleries.

Free Sunday is also sponsored by The Honolulu Advertiser. Next up: "Early America," Sept. 19.

While you're nearby, why not take in the Tie Dye Family Festival at the Linekona Art Center? It's presented by Temari, the Center for Asian and

Pacific Arts, and offers hands-on activities for kids, fabric and clothing demos, the 5th annual washi (Japanese paper) sale and a marketplace of wearable art. The festival is free; hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow. 536-4566.