STAR OF THE EARTH

Photos by Ken Ige, Star-Bulletin
Oahu homeowners consume an average of 155 million gallons of water
a day. With a limited water supply and a growing population, xeriscaping
can be the answer for people who want to practice conservation yet have a
garden or just a nice yard. The Halawa Xeriscape Garden showcases plants
that thrive with little water. Above is a lavender starflower, below a desert rose
flower, and at bottom the yellow flower of the Ma'o, or native cotton plant.

Xeriscape garden
stays green

Even when water's scarce

By Alisa Lavelle
Star-Bulletin

There's only so much water to go around.

But a xeriscape garden can help conserve water while still giving homeowners the look they want.

The Halawa Xeriscape Garden, maintained by the Board of Water Supply and Friends of Halawa Organization, shows some of the possibilities for xeriphitics, or plants accustomed to desertlike conditions.

Bougainvillea, pikake and bird of paradise are among the types of dry-land plants recommended.

"Native Hawaiian plants are set for here (Hawaii) too, of course," said Cory Hokama of the Board of Water Supply community relations office. Instead of grass, Hokama advised using ground cover such as geraniums and creeping juniper, or mulches.

"The xeriscape garden only requires watering once or twice a week for five minutes," Hokama said. "Grass needs a daily watering that averages 15 minutes; otherwise it starts browning."

Mulches such as crushed coral or red and black cinders lower watering requirements yet keep the topsoil cool.

By Ken Ige, Star-Bulletin
Kids from Lehua Elementary got a tour of the Halawa Xeriscape
Garden. The garden is at 99-1268 Iwaena St. Homeowners can
attend Saturday classes with a specialist to help them with landscaping
and plant recommendations. To make reservations for a tour or
attend classes at the Halawa Xeriscape Garden call 527-6113.

Oahu homeowners consume an average of 155 million gallons of water per day. With a limited water supply and a growing population, the Board of Water Supply recommends conservation. "People have to realize that there is a only a certain amount and be mindful of it," Hokama said.

Interested homeowners can attend Saturday classes with a specialist to help them with the landscaping and plant recommendations. They can also get free seeds through the Native Hawaiian Plant Seeds Distribution Program. To make reservations for a tour or attend classes at the Halawa Xeriscape Garden call 527-6113. More information can be found at the Board of Water Supply Web site at http://www.lava.net/bws/.