XERISCAPE
About Xeriscape | Hālawa Xeriscape Garden | FOHXG | Native Hawaiian Plants | Oʻahu Plant Guide | Workshops
Hālawa Xeriscape Garden
Announcements
- Interested in becoming a nursery propagation volunteer on Wednesdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm? Contact us for details.
About Hālawa Xeriscape Garden
The Hālawa Xeriscape Garden displays a series of xeric (dry) plants in a residential-scale setting to demonstrate species capable of providing a visually attractive garden, while using less water than most currently popular plants. It was opened to public in September 1989, after several years of effort by the Board of Water Supply (BWS), as a way to educate Oahu residents on ways to save water in lawns, gardens, and landscaped areas.
In these demonstration gardens, you can familiarize yourself with the kinds of plants and grasses that need less irrigation, as well as the variety of approaches that use water more efficiently in the garden. These approaches include irrigation techniques, cultural practices, and landscaping ideas that will provide for drought-tolerant gardens and landscapes.
Suggested practices that can save water are also seen at Hālawa. These include: mulching, soil alteration, turf mowing practices, thinning of planted areas, weed control, and fertilization.
Hālawa Xeriscape Garden is located in Hālawa Valley's Central Park Industrial Area. The garden re-opened to the public on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, after being closed at the end for 2023 for building upgrades including installation of energy efficient lighting and new roofing.
Location
Hālawa Xeriscape Garden (directions)
99-1268 Iwaena Street
Aiea, HI 96701
(808) 748-5315 | contactus@hbws.org
Hours of Operations
- Wednesdays, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- All visitors are required to sign-in at the office before touring the garden
Garden Rules:
- Visitors are allowed during posted public hours only. Please adhere to all posted closure notices on our website www.boardofwatersupply.com or Hālawa Xeriscape Garden grounds.
- ALL visitors to the Hālawa Xeriscape Garden must sign in at the Garden Office.
- All organized group tours must be arranged with the Board of Water Supply prior to visiting Hālawa Xeriscape Garden. Unauthorized group events or tours are prohibited. Visit the BWS website to learn more at https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/news-events/speakers-and-tours.
- Parking is reserved for Hālawa Xeriscape Garden visitors only. All others will be towed.
- Pets – except for service animals – are not allowed. Service animals must be controlled at all times to include, but not limited to harness, leash, or tether (unless use of these devices interfere with the service animal’s safety and/or effective performance of tasks).
- Smoking, vaping and use of e-cigarettes is prohibited on Board of Water Supply grounds.
- Alcoholic beverages and use of illegal substances is strictly prohibited.
- Use of skateboards, roller skates or other play equipment is not allowed.
- Unauthorized taking of soil, rocks, water, animals, plants, or plant parts from the Hālawa Xeriscape Garden grounds is prohibited.
- The introduction of outside plants, terrestrial or aquatic animals, insects, or birds is prohibited.
- Do not obstruct, disturb or deface the paths, plants, signage, equipment, structures or facilities.
- Drone flying is prohibited on Board of Water Supply property.
- Amateur photographers are welcome. Commercial photography or videography must have prior approval.
Activities at the Garden
Annual Open House and Unthirsty Plant Sale
Our annual Unthirsty Plant Sale is traditionally held at the Hālawa Xeriscape Garden on the first Saturday of August. Find great deals on drought tolerant plants that help you conserve water in your garden, visit the plant doctor, backyard compost, rain barrel water catchment and many more information booths.
Garden Tours
We are happy to share xeriscaping information through in-person or online meetings with groups of ten or more. Due to demand, please review tour information and submit your request at least three (3) months in advance. Tours are subject to availability.
Follow @BWSHonolulu
Our Instagram account @BWSHonolulu posts garden-related content using #bwshxg. Visit with us and let us know how your garden grows!
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are welcome on Weedy Wednesdays for a wide range of needed tasks:
- Garden volunteer
- Nursery volunteer
- Plant propagator
- Weeding
- Special projects
- Garden docent
To volunteer, consider joining the Friends of Hālawa Xeriscape Garden or call the garden at (808) 748-5315.
Workshops at Hālawa Xeriscape Garden
Check out a sampling of mini-workshop videos and past in-person workshops held at the garden. Currently no workshops are scheduled. To inquire, please call the garden at (808) 748-5315.
Reminder: Mulch No Longer Available at Hālawa Xeriscape Garden
To align with statewide efforts to prevent the spread of invasive pests, effective July 2014, BWS stopped offering free mulch at the Hālawa Xeriscape Garden. Mulch piles are potential breeding sites for the Rhinoceros Beetle, an invasive scarab beetle that feeds on coconut palms. For alternative free mulch giveaway sites, check with the City Department of Environmental Services (ENV).
Updated: 07/06/2025