Summer offers ideal yard-working weather.
What's the best way to show off the fruits of your lawn labor, even after the sun goes down?
Consider installing landscape lighting, said Mark S. Anderson, a sales associate in the lighting department of the Home Depot in Iwilei. Landscape lighting comes primarily in two varieties: solar and low-voltage.
"It will improve the appearance of your property, increase the pride you have in your property and you'll be more pleased to have guests over for dinner," Anderson said.
Low-voltage lighting
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| Anderson assembles a low-voltage floodlight at his home. Such floodlights can highlight your lawn at night.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
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The installation of low-voltage lights requires more planning, labor and electrical work than do solar lights, Anderson said.
But low-voltage landscape lighting offers a greater choice of fixtures and a greater range of wattages, usually from 4 to 50 watts. And because it's low-voltage — all fixtures are 12 volts, just like a flashlight — they're safe to use and install.
Low-voltage lighting fixtures are available individually, but novice DIYers may want to consider buying a kit, which includes the required components: transformer, the cables to connect the light fixtures, and the fixtures themselves. Such kits range from $89 to $288. (Anderson recommends buying a kit with greater wattage capacity than you expect to require.)
How to install
• Figure out where you want to place the lights.
• Choose your lighting instruments. Low-voltage fixtures, which come in different finishes and wattages, include tier lights (ideal for paths or driveways), floodlights (best for spotlighting outdoor features) and deck lights.
• Lay out the cable. Cables come in 16, 14, and 12 gauges; the smaller the number, the bigger the wire, and bigger wires will handle more lights, Anderson said. As a general rule, use 16-gauge cables for runs of less than 100 feet; 14 gauge for up to 150 feet and 12 gauge for up to 200 feet.
• Insert light fixtures into the ground.
• Attach the lights to the cable.
• Install the transformer. The transformer goes outside the house — usually mounted vertically in a plastic or metal casing — and needs to go into a ground fault indicator outlet with a weather-proof cover. If your home doesn't have that capability, you may need a licensed professional to help with the installation.
• Attach the cable to the transformer.
• Optional: If you choose to conceal the cable underground, bury it at least 3 inches deep.
Solar lighting
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| Anderson installs solar lighting at his home. These low-power gizmos can light a path at night and recharge themselves in the daylight.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
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"Installing solar lights is completely easy, and you can have them ready to go in minutes," Anderson said.
One disadvantage is that these lights don't produce as much illumination (less than 1 watt) as low-voltage fixtures. "It's more decorative," Anderson said. "It's good for delineating pathways and demarcating areas rather than illuminating the area."
Kits range between $22.99 and $69. Individual fixtures, which can be more ornate, range between $15 and $30, or more.
How to install:
• Figure out where you want to place the lights in your yard and determine how many lights you want to use.
• Assemble the items. Solar fixtures have three parts: the stake, the plastic light fixture itself and the cap.
• Insert light fixtures into the ground.
• Install batteries in the fixtures, which require a full day of sunlight before working.
— Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer
How giant a garage sale? 15-plus families' worth, in Mililani
If you love a garage sale, then you'll go nuts at the 8th annual giant garage sale in Mililani Mauka from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. At least 15 homes will take part in the sale, which includes furniture, appliances, plants, toys and more.
Follow the signs to Ahikao, Hookaau, Kanae and Hookanahe streets. Admission is free.
Prepare to 'Rumble' at Bishop Museum's reptile exhibition
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| The "Reptiles: Real and Robotic" traveling exhibit at the Bishop Museum continues through the summer.
Bishop Museum
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Hey, kids, see if you can crawl like a crocodile or slither like a snake at the "Reptile Rumble" educational games at the Bishop Museum each Saturday this summer. The "Rumble" is in conjunction with the current exhibit, "Reptiles: Real and Robotic," which continues through Sept. 11. The games begin at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Admission is $14.95 general; $11.95 for youths 4-12 years and seniors; and free for children 3 and younger and museum members. Kama'aina and military discounts also are available. 847-3511.
Flicks at Sunsets feature zebra today, Carrey tomorrow
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| The live action family motion picture "Racing Stripes" hits the big screen tonight at Sunset on the Beach.
Alcon Entertainment
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Waikiki once again hosts a pair of Sunset on the Beach events, featuring entertainment, food booths and movies on that 30-foot screen at Queen's Surf Beach.
Tonight's film is "Racing Stripes," the tale about a zebra and the little girl who loves him. Tomorrow's film is "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events," starring Jim Carrey as the villainous relative of three plucky orphans.
Sunset on the Beach events begin at 4 p.m. each day; the movies hit the screen after the sun goes down. Admission is free. 923-1094.
Appetites wanted at Taste of Honolulu
This is the weekend O'ahu's foodies have been waiting for: The 14th annual Taste of Honolulu, featuring entertainment, wine tasting and food, glorious food, is in full shoveling mode at the Civic Center grounds.
So will it be the gyro plate from Mediterranean Garden Deli or the seared scallops from Musashi? Maybe the spicy 'ahi tartar caesar from Top of Waikiki or the kiawe-grilled rib-eye from The Colony. Oink! Don't forget dessert, too.
Expect crowds of fellow food-lovers. And bring lots of money to purchase scrip, which you use to buy the tasting portions. Taste of Honolulu is a benefit for Easter Seals Hawai'i.
Hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow. Admission is $3 general; free for seniors 65 and older and kids 12 and younger; and free for military and families before 3 p.m. each day. www.taste808.com.
Walk-through/talk part of photo exhibit at East-West Gallery
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| "Hope for Renewal: Photographs From Indonesia After the Tsunami" exhibit features the work of Marco Garcia.
Marco Garcia
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The public is invited to a discussion/walk-through and opening reception for a photo exhibit about the December tsunami, tomorrow at the East-West Gallery, Burns Hall. The exhibit, "Hope for Renewal: Photographs From Indonesia After the Tsunami," features the work of Marco Garcia, who traveled to Aceh, Indonesia, in January and May to record the devastation and rebuilding efforts.
Garcia will lead the discussion/walk-through from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. (and again from noon to 1 p.m. July 12). The reception takes place from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Both are free.
Exhibit hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 9 (closed on Sundays and holidays). The gallery is at 1601 East-West Road, corner of Dole Street and East-West Road. The exhibit is free, too.
Maui hosts annual slack-key festival
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| Ki ho'alu artist Ledward Ka'apana will perform tomorrow on Maui.
Advertiser library photo
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If you're on Maui and you love slack-key music, you are so in luck. The 14th annual Ki Ho'alu Festival, which also features arts and crafts and food booths, takes place from 2 to 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's A&B Amphitheater.
The scheduled performers include Ledward Ka'apana, George Kahumoku, John Cruz, Jeff Peterson, Daniel Ho, Pali, Brother Noland, David Kahiapo, David and Dennis Kamakahi, Brittni
Paiva and others.
Admission is free. (808) 242-7469.
