Kaha Garden

Kaha Garden

Kaha Garden was developed in 2007, by Hui o Ko’olaupoko, as a living example of how individual homeowners can help improve the local environment through the use of native vegetation and xeriscape gardens. The project replaced grass and invasive species along 150 yards of stream bank with native Hawaiian plants which can be used for soil stabilization, biofiltration and water conservation. All plant species in the garden can be found naturally in dry coastal areas throughout the Hawaiian Islands and can thrive with only the water provided by rain events and occasional summer watering.

Visitors can walk the garden pathways to see how plantings might appear in their own backyard. The project also included the installation of interpretative signs and the development of a website about Kaha Garden designed by local elementary school students, to further explain the benefits of native landscaping and other best management practices.

Kaha Garden is maintained solely by community volunteers. Since 2009, volunteers have committed over 9000 hours of their time to the maintenance of the garden and donations from community members have allowed Hui o Ko’olaupoko to purchase gardening supplies and additional plants. Volunteers at Kaha Garden are taught to identify the native plants, learn their growing patterns, how to properly propagate, and where to plant different species to maximize their ecological benefits.

In 2023, we will be hosting public events at Kaha Garden one weekday and one weekend per month.

Private events and school field trips can be scheduled by contacting our staff.

Check the current event schedule
on our calendar to RSVP

You can contact us to schedule a personalized class field trip or private group workday.

Kaha Garden is located within Kawainui Neighborhood Park at 750 Kaha Street in Kailua.

"Thank you for teaching us about the native plants and invasive ones. I liked when we got to get dirty and dig a hole for the Uala or sweet potato."

-Isaiah,
Kainalu Elementary 6th grader

"Thank you for teaching me about Kaha Garden and all the plants and the weeds that take over. I also took a Kukui nut to try and plant at home because I think it will interest my family."

-Crystal,
Kainalu Elementary 6th grader

"Now I know many of the ways Hawaiians used our native plants instead of us going to a store or something to figure it out. Now I will use some of these strategies."

-Justice,
Kainalu Elementary 6th grader

Kaha Garden Native Plant ID Cards
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Kaha Garden Description
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