Although national Arbor Day is the last Friday in April, many states observe the celebration according to the area’s best tree-planting time. In Hawaii we celebrate Arbor Day on the first Friday in November.
This year we are celebrating trees that have the potential to contribute to the local urban food forest. Urban food forestry, or the planting of edible plants or fruit trees, enhances food security as people are less reliant on imported food.
Although to varying degrees on each island, urban development is expanding throughout the Hawaiian Islands. People within the urban core need to think about their plants’ potential to fulfill nutritional requirements in time of need.
Food security, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, is defined as "when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life."
Arbor Day is the perfect time to consider contributing to the community’s food security by planting a tree.
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TREE GIVEAWAY
On Oahu, trees and shrubs will be given away Saturday at the following sites, while supplies last:
>> Waianae: 7 a.m. Hawaiian Electric Kahe Power Plant, 92-200 Farrington Highway
>> Pearl City: 7 a.m. Urban Garden Center, 955 Kamehameha Highway
>> Honolulu: 7 a.m. McKinley High/Community School for Adults, 634 Pensacola St.
>> Kailua: 7 a.m. Hawaiian Electric Koolau Base Yard, 1387 Ulupii St.
>> Wahiawa: 9 a.m. Wahiawa Botanical Garden, 1396 California Ave.
>> Haleiwa: 9 a.m. Waimea Valley, 59-864 Kamehameha Highway
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Trees are amazing. They have the potential to establish habitat for wildlife, reduce water pollution and soil erosion, cool homes by shading from afternoon sun, provide windbreaks and increase property value.
Each year since 1993, more than 20,000 trees have been given away at locations across the state, through Hawaiian Electric’s Free Tree Giveaway, with support of our local Kaulunani Forestry Program. This year residents will find more fruit trees on the list.
Help Urban Food Forests thrive in Hawaii by planting, caring and maintaining fruit trees in your community.
Once in the ground, share your bounty with your neighbors and bring excess produce to your local food bank. With planning and community cooperation your backyard can contribute to sustainability.
Visit www.arbordayhawaii.org to find an Arbor Day Hawaii celebration near you.
Jayme Grzebik is an extension Agent with UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service. She can be reached at grzebik@hawaii.edu.
