Posted on: Saturday, April 9, 2005
SATURDAY SCOOPS
Tackle those weeds
Advertiser Staff
The workweek has ended, but the yard work is just beginning. And as you look around your yard today and spot those irritating weeds that mar what could be oh-so-perfect greenery, don't get angry, get working.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser And don't forget, "weed" is a human definition; what is a weed to you is just another form of nature's flora.
But back to the basics:
• Pull the little weed out by the roots; if it hasn't set seed yet, it can go on the compost pile. • If it's bursting with seed heads and full of ripe seeds, it's best to bag it and toss it in the trash. • Smother the weeds and plant something else in their place. There are lots of filler plants that can help you control weeds and get something good growing in your garden. Bromeliads are good for this, as are mats of ferns such as laua'e or shinobu. • Mowing can largely control weeds in lawns and turf. Grass likes to be mowed and will flatten and spread out with regular mowing. Most weeds don't like this, and repeated mowing will get rid of most of them. • Chemical weed control is best done by the experts. It's easy to kill or harm the wrong plant, or yourself, your neighbor or pets. Remember, herbicides are poisons. If it can kill something that grows, it could kill or harm you. If you must use chemicals, thoroughly read the label and follow all directions. And after all that, there's the final question: Is it possible to truly rid the lawn of weeds, or must we accept the inevitable? Answer: Just as there is no cure for the common cold, there is no sure solution for weeds. With a lot of diligence and persistence you can get rid of weeds in lawns or elsewhere, but just like the Terminator, they will be back! You can have the perfect golf-course lawn and then a weed seed will blow in, or old buried weeds will resprout and spoil the perfection. All kinds of things can happen.
Heidi Bornhorst is a consultant on sustainable landscaping.
- Heidi Bornhorst
Celebrate National Library Week (April 10-16) at a kickoff fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Ward Warehouse's amphitheater stage, at the 'ewa end of the complex.
Among the attractions: keiki ID; make-and-take bookmarks, luggage tags and buttons; a fish-pond game; performances by the Hanayagi Dance Academy, Kalihi-kai Ukulele Club, Orff Ensemble and Na Kamali'i O Iliahi; a book fair; and information about your public libraries.
It's all free. 591-8411.
So bring your bento dinner, lawn chairs, beach mats and coolers (no alcohol, please!) to the Great Lawn. Or, if you prefer, food and drinks will be available for purchase. And if you arrive early, tour the cactus and succulent plant garden.
In case of rain, the concert moves to the 'Ohi'a Cafeteria. The event is sponsored by the KCC Office of Student Activities.
Hey, kids, let's all learn about science! The Bishop Museum holds a Mad About Science Festival from noon to 9 p.m. today, featuring hands-on activities.
How can you go wrong with a "Who Wants To Be ... An Astronaut" game show; guided tours of the museum's collections of insects, fish and plants; the new planetarium show, "Deep Impact"; a Medical Mystery exhibit; and stargazing after dark?
Admission is $3 for kama'aina and military; free for museum members and children 3 and younger. 847-3511.
Brad Goda The play, recommended for keiki 3 years old and older, was adapted by Lee Cataluna (who also is an Advertiser columnist) from the book by Sandi Takayama. It's directed by HTY veteran BullDog.
It's a local-style takeoff on the adventures of the gingerbread man. Musubi Man, who is determined not to be eaten, is on the run from humans, a dog, a cat, a mynah bird — even a snail. Showtimes are 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. today and every Saturday through May 7 at McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Beach Park. The 11:30 a.m. April 30 show will be sign-interpreted.
Tickets are $16 general, $8 for those 18 and younger and seniors over 60. 839-9885, www.HTYweb.org.
The Thai Songkran Festival celebrates the Thai new year with dance, music, cooking demos, kick-boxing, games, beauty contests and lots of food. Songkran — which means "to move or relocate," referring to the day the sun changes position in the zodiac — also is known as the Water Festival, as it is believed that water washes away bad luck.The festival, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the Kapiçolani Park bandstand, is a benefit for the Thai Buddhist Temple of Pearl City. 456-4176. Admission is free.
Advertiser library photo • July 12, 2003 By the way, Mother's Day is May 8.
First question: How do I pull weeds? The simplest answer is to pull them out by the roots and dispose of them. But weeds are a complex subject. Millions of dollars are made and spent on weed control; careers in the green industry are made or broken by weeds and other pests. Weeds can grow, and spread, year-round in Hawai'i.
Queen's Hospital groundskeeper Mano Nable chops away at weeds near the front entrance. Slashing can keep weeds from seeding and spreading. When weeds are young, they're small enough for the roots to be easily pulled out.
Special to The Advertiser
National Library Week kicks off
Keahiwai heads concert on KCC's Great Lawn
Everyone is invited to a free concert under the stars at Kapi'olani Community College at 6 p.m. today. The entertainment lineup includes Rolando Sanchez & Salsa Hawaii at 6, Bruce Hamada and Jim Howard (jazz) at 7:15 and headliner Keahiwai at 8:30.
Keahiwai (Lei Melket, left, and Meilani Makainai) perform tonight.
Mad about science? Walk this way, kids
'Musubi Man' adventures at youth theater certain to whet keiki appetites
If the weather is little iffy — ah, spring! — consider an indoor activity. High on that list for families with little ones should be "Musubi Man," which is being revived by the Honolulu Theatre for Youth.
Janice Terukina stars in "Musubi Man," which begins today at McCoy Pavilion.
Pacific Handcrafters' craft fair this weekend in Thomas Square
Looking for a Mother's Day gift? Check out the arts and crafts at this weekend's Pacific Handcrafters Guild Spring Festival at Thomas Square. There you'll also find entertainment, keiki activities, craft demos and food. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and tomorrow. Admission is free. 254-6788.
You can find woodwork and other artisan wares at the Pacific Handcrafters Guild's fairs. There's one this weekend.
