SPECIAL

"PARTNERS IN PROTECTION," a hike, sponsored by Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, through the Kä'u mountains and Kaiholena Preserve, Big Island, with members of The Nature Conservancy and natural resource manager, Eldridge Naboa, to witness native plant species along a one-mile trail loop, learn about the group's efforts to protect the land, native forests and unique flora, and about its cultural history; 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Nov. 21; $35/members; $50 non-members; registration, starting point, 808-985-7373.

MAKAHIKI IN WAIMEA VALLEY, day-long celebration with hula, arts and crafts (including lauhala, kapa, saddle and bull whip making), native and exotic plant sale, keiki activities, food, guided tours of the valley, demonstration of games of strength, and music; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 22, Waimea Valley; general park admission fees apply; information, 638-7766, www.waimeavalley.net.

FOURTH ANNUAL PET BUNNY RABBIT SHOW, sponsored by the Hawaii All-Breed Rabbit Club (with categories including biggest, smallest, and longest ears); 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 27 Wahiawä Botanical Garden (all rabbits must be contained in carriers or leashed); information, 622-0857.

EVENTS

MEDICINAL PLANTS TOUR, of plants and trees used as natural remedies; 1 p.m. Nov. 21, Foster Botanical Garden; reservations required; regular admission fee to garden applies; 522-7066.

HO'OMALUHIA BIRD WALK, 7:30-10 a.m. Nov. 21, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Käne'ohe; free (suggested: long pants, long-sleeved shirt, walking shoes, rain gear, insect repellent and water); required reservations, 233-7323.

DRIED WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Nov. 24; Foster Botanical Garden; $20; required reservations, 522-7064.

XERISCAPE HOLIDAY WREATH WORKSHOPS using "less-thirsty" xeriscape plants, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, Hälawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1268 Iwaena St.; $5/public, members free; registration closes Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 (certain supplies required), 748-5363; information, 748-5041, www.boardofwatersupply.com.

3-D FROGS AND GARDEN CRITTERS ART CONTEST, sponsored by Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, open to the public in five age categories. Contest rules and registration available through Nov. 25 at the park; contest deadline, 4 p.m. Nov. 28. Entries will be displayed at the park visitor center Dec. 5-30. Information, 233-7323.

DR. HILLEBRAND TOUR of trees planted by the first gardener of Foster Botanical Garden, led by docent Liesel Vander Leeden; 1 p.m. Dec. 12; Foster Botanical Garden; requires park admission; reservations: 522-7066.

GARDEN GREEN HOUR, outdoor green activities for families, arranged as a respite from TV, computers and video games; 2-3 p.m. Dec. 23 and 30; free; Wahiawä Botanical Garden; 621-5463.

ONGOING

SELF-DIRECTED BOTANICAL DRAWING AND PAINTING, rendering of plants, flowers, seeds and pods from the garden; 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 16, Wahiawä Botanical Garden; free; information/registration, 621-5463.

NIAULANI NATURE WALK, guided tour through an old-growth forest; 9:30 a.m. Mondays; Volcano Art Center's Niaulani campus, Volcano Village, Big Island; 808-967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

TUESDAYS AT KANAHÄ, weekly beach cleanup and plant maintenance, coordinated by Community Pride at Kanahä Beach Park, Maui, 8-10 a.m. Tuesdays, at the park; Valerie Vines Magee, 808-264-1454.

MÄNOA HERITAGE CENTER, discover an old Hawaiian heiau and native plants while learning Mänoa Valley's history; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; Mänoa Heritage Center; $7 general, $4 seniors and military, students free; visits and tours by reservation only: 988-1287, www.manoaheritagecenter.org.

HO'OMALUHIA PRE-SCHOOL NATURE HOUR (for ages 3-5) with stories, songs, crafts and nature hikes (optional picnic lunch); 10:30 a.m., third Tuesday monthly; from visitor's center; recommended: walking shoes, insect repellent, rain gear; information, 233-7323

WEED & POT CLUB at Maui Nui Botanical Garden meets 8:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 150 Kanaloa Ave., Kahului, Maui, to do beautification and maintenance work; tools, gloves, drinking water provided; wear shoes; 808-249-2798.

BOTANICAL DRAWING AND PAINTING, rendering of plants, flowers, seeds and pods from the garden; 9:30 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Käne'ohe; recommended: No. 4 round brush, Bristol paper, watercolor set or pencils; free; reservations, 233-7323.

SECOND SATURDAY AT THE GARDEN, series of events offering a chance to stroll the garden and learn about tropical gardening from certified Hawai'i master gardeners and center volunteers; 9 a.m.-12 p.m., second Saturday monthly; Pearl City Urban Garden Center; free; www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ougc, 453-6055.

MAKIKI FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT, volunteers needed as part of Makiki Watershed Awareness Initiative forest restoration project, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. fourth Saturday of each month; 973-9782.

FREE GARDEN MULCH 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, Hälawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1269 Iwaena St.; self-service; www.boardofwatersupply.com, 748-5041.

HO'OMALUHIA FAMILY CATCH AND RELEASE FISHING, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, yearlong, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Käne'ohe; recommended: walking shoes, insect repellent, rain protection, barbless hooks and fishing gear; free; reservations, 233-7323.

LYON ARBORETUM WORKDAY, weeding and garden maintenance with arboretum grounds crew, first Saturday monthly; times/information: 988-0455.

NIAULANI FOREST WORKDAY, volunteers needed, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., third Sunday of each month; Volcano Art Center, Niaulani campus, Volcano Village, Big Island; 808-967-8222.

WHAT'S BLOOMING/WHAT'S BEARING FRUIT WITH DAVID ORR, walking tour of Waimea Valley with botanical collections specialist David Orr, 2-3 p.m., first and third Sundays; recommended: snack, insect repellent, sunscreen, hat, water and sturdy shoes; free with paid park admission; reservations, 638-7766.

LYON ARBORETUM classes and workshops on invasive plants, organic gardening, traditional Hawaiian crafts, flower arranging, garden photography, field sketching and nature journaling, special children's classes and more, at the arboretum, 3860 Mänoa Road; schedule at www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum; register: 988-0461.

LYON ARBORETUM GUIDED TOURS, view plants of the rain forest, and tour the arboretum's Ethnobotany Garden, Spice Hill, native plant collection and waterfall; 10 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays; at the arboretum, Mänoa Valley; $5; reservations, 988-0461.

GARDEN TOUR, one-mile (1 1/2-hour) "easy" guided walk; 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily (keiki-focused tour at 1 p.m. Sundays); Senator Fong's Plantation and Gardens; $14.50, discounts for kama'äina; 239-6775.

"PLANTS OF PARADISE" GARDEN TOUR of the Bishop Museum gardens, 11 a.m. daily; meet at Hawaiian Hall entrance; museum admission required; 847-3511.

FOSTER BOTANICAL GARDEN seeks volunteers to help maintain butterfly garden, including ongoing deadheading, replanting and general maintenance; 373-4200.

KAUA'I BOTANICAL GARDEN,'volunteers needed to protect rare plants and ecosystems at the National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kaua'i; 808-332-7324, ext. 228, or volunteer@ntbg.org.