SPECIAL EVENTS

"The Neem Tree: From Hindu Mythology to Pest Control and Pharmacology," talk and special program, which will include Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann planting a neem tree on the grounds of the Neal Blaisdell Center; 10 a.m.; Jan. 19; Neal Blaisdell Center, Pikake Hall; free; RSVP: 371-9360.

"How to Think Big in the Year of the Earth Rat," learn how feng shui can improve your life, with expert Lillian Too; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Jan. 20; Ala Moana Hotel; $98; 866-963-7872, www.wofs.com.

Basic Organic Crop Inspection Training, $350 scholarships available to select Hawai'i applicants upon successful completion of the course; Feb. 22 to 26; Your Hawaiian Retreat, Pahoa, Big Island; $950, discount for commuters; application deadline Jan. 20; forms and more information: 808-969-7789, hofa@hawaiiorganicfarmers.org.

Ka'ena Point nature hike, identify native plants and see wildlife in action on a six-mile hike; 8 a.m.-12 p.m.; Jan. 21, reservations by Jan. 18; Ka'ena Point parking lot; bring water, a snack, sunscreen, light jacket, hat and hiking shoes or shoes with treads; free; reservations: 522-7064.

ONGOING

Self-guided garden walking tour, view more than 50 native Hawaiian and tropical plants and flowers surrounding The Royal Hawaiian hotel, tour pamphlet available at the concierge desk; daily; free; 923-7311.

Garden tours, 1-mile (1.5-hour) "easy" guided walk to view the Kane'ohe garden's flowers, plants and trees; 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily (keiki-focused tour, 1 p.m. Sunday); Senator Fong's Plantation and Gardens, 47-285 Pulama Road; $14.50, discounts for kama'aina; 239-6775.

Niaulani Nature Walk, guided tour through an old-growth Hawaiian forest; 9:30 a.m. Mondays; Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus, Volcano Village, Big Island; donations accepted; 808-967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Guided tours, view plants of the rainforest; 10-11:30 a.m. Mondays-Fridays; Lyon Arboretum, Manoa Valley; free; reservations: 988-0461.

Guided tours; 1 p.m. MondaysSaturdays, with special topics on selected Saturdays; Foster Botanical Garden; included with admission of $5 general, $3 kama'aina, $1 ages 6-12; 522-7066.

Manoa Heritage Center tours, visit a cultural and historical site in Manoa Valley, with guided tours of the native Hawaiian plant garden surrounding a traditional heiau (sacred site); 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; Manoa Heritage Center; $7 adults, $4 children and students; visits and tours by reservation only: 988-1287.

Furniture workshop tours, learn about the history and craft of Hawaiian furniture; 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Wednesdays; Martin & MacArthur Workshop and Showroom, 1815 Kahai St.; free; reservations: 845-6688.

Guided garden tour, tour highlighting native Hawaiian medicinal plants; 1 p.m. Fridays, focusing on canoe plants (plants brought to the Islands during Polynesian migration), 1 p.m. Wednesdays; Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, Kona, Big Island; $4 suggested donation; 808-323-3318.

Waialua Farmers Market, fruits and vegetables, herbs, flowers, potted plants and more; 8:30 a.m. Saturdays; Old Waialua Sugar Mill; 637-8589.

Send announcements, with contact name and phone number, to: Island Life, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; or islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Home & Garden Cal" in the subject line.