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This Week

The Professional Cleaning Institute of Hawaii seminars: Thursday and Friday at Ala Moana Pacific Center, Suite 1740, 1585 Kapiolani Blvd. Cleaning industry leader Stephen Ashkin, the “;Father of Green Cleaning,”; talks about products and creating a comprehensive green-cleaning plan for homes, offices, facilities and public places. Cost: $95 per session. For information or to register, call 944-8255.
”;Clutter-Free for Life”;: Three-day class begins Thursday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and continues March 11 and 25 at Queen's Medical Center's Women's Health Center. Cost: $75, plus $11 (cash or check only) for textbook. Marilyn Nagel offers tips from her AAHAA system to help organize your life, home and office. Call 537-7117 or visit http://www.queens.org.
”;Taro Patch Party”;: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Hawaii Nature Center. Muddy adventure teaches the cultural importance of taro and how it is harvested, replanted and pounded to make poi. For ages 6 and older. Cost: $20 per nonmember parent-child team. Reservations required. Call 955-0100, ext. 18.

Ongoing

Lyon Arboretum classes: Ongoing registration. Limited seating. Payment must be received before enrollment. Call 988-0461 or stop by the Visitor Center at 3860 Manoa Road between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Subject to cancellation. » “;Photo Practicum: Nature Photography”;: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday and March 13. Indoor class also includes shooting time in the garden. Cost: $50, $47 for members. » “;Sustainable Landscape Design”;: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 20. Learn the do's and don'ts of edible landscaping and how to transform your lanai or yard into an “;abundant oasis of food, medicinal herbs and other multifunctional plants.”; Bring lunch. Cost: $40, $37 for members. » “;Vanilla Culture”;: 9 to 11 a.m. March 27. Learn how to propagate, pollinate and care for the vanilla orchid and grow your own vanilla beans. Participants receive one to take home. Registration required. Cost: $20, $18 for members. » “;Orchid Culture”;: 9 to 11 a.m. May 8. Learn about the basic orchid structure and how to identify major types of orchids, as well as potting, watering, temperature and light requirements, fertilizing and pest control. Cost: $20, $18 for members. » “;Plant Propagation: Hawaii Native Plants”;: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 12. Learn how to grow varieties in your garden or apartment lanai through a slide show and hands-on demonstration of techniques. An assortment of plants to repot will be available for a small fee. Cost: $20, $18 for members. » “;Fascinating Ficus”;: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 22. Learn about wasps, pollination strategies and rock-eating trees and others that strangle other trees. Includes a hike throughout the garden, so wear appropriate clothing. Cost: $20, $18 for members.

Coming Up

Square-Foot Gardening teacher certification training: March 11 to 13 at Turtle Bay Resort. Cost: $165 per person or $215 per household. For business owners, educators, families or anyone interested in becoming self-sustaining by growing their own food or certified to educate others about this technique, which uses less water and no pesticides in a smaller space. Call 450-1578 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
”;Plant Doctor”; at Wahiawa Botanical Garden: 9 to 10 a.m. March 12. Learn about plants' structure, needs and signs of illness. Free. For reservations, call 621-5463.
”;Growing Herbs in Pots”;: 10 to 11 a.m. March 13 at Foster Botanical Garden. Admission: $3 for kamaaina, $5 for visitors. Call 522-7064.
Honolulu Rose Society floral display: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 13 at Kahala Mall.
Lauhala turtles: Two-session class, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 17 and 18 at Foster Botanical Garden. Learn how to weave lau hala leaves into turtles. Bring lunch. Fee: $10 plus garden admission for both days. Call 522-7064.
56th annual Kunia Orchid Show: 9 to 5 p.m. March 19 to 20 and 9 to 4 p.m. March 21 at Leilehua High School gymnasium, 1515 California Ave., Wahiawa. Also features a Japanese miniature village, bonsai, desert roses, bromeliads, ikebana, orchid supplies, “;plant doctor”; Edwin Oka, food booths, door prizes and a special orchid basket for the 2,010th visitor. Donation: $2. Sponsored by Kunia Orchid Society.
”;Uses of Herbs”;: 10 to 11 a.m. March 20 at Foster Botanical Garden. Learn how herbs can be used for cooking, medicinal purposes, insect repellent and more. Admission fee: $3 for kamaaina or $5 for visitors. Call 522-7064.
Recycling event: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 21 at Kokua Market parking lot, 2643 S. King St. Recycle your glossy magazines, catalogs, fliers, junk mail and phone books (no cardboard, paperboard or newspaper) at this event and receive a coupon for a free oat cake and coffee and enjoy a 10 percent discount on purchases. Call 941-1922 or visit http://www.kokua.coop and click on “;Events.”;
Flower arranging: 2 to 4 p.m. March 21 at Kaimuki Public Library, 1041 Koko Head Ave. Presentation and demonstration by MOA Arts and Culture instructors. Call 733-8422.
Splendors of Ikebana 2010 Spring Floral Showcase: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 22 to 26 in the Honolulu Hale Courtyard. Features more than 40 colorful floral arrangements created by students from seven Oahu schools that teach the Japanese art. Demonstrations from 10 to 11 a.m. will be held March 22 by Mitsuko Taura (Sogetsu School of Ikebana) and March 23 by Elaine Arita (Ohara School). Free. Call 768-6622.
Graham Builders' “;Building Your Home for Life”; seminars: Held at Honolulu Country Club. Free. Limited seating. Reservations required. Call 593-2808 or visit http://www.grahambuilders.com. » 6 to 8 p.m. March 31, June 30 and Sept. 29 » 9 to 11 a.m. April 24, May 22, July 31, Aug. 28, Oct. 30 and Nov. 20