MNBG Calendar

Events & Workshops 2023

Workshop Cancellation Information

Foods from Koa Haole with Sunny Savage & GoFarm Hawaiʻi
Saturday, June 10th | 9am to 10:30am

Koa haole (Leucaena leucocephala) is a widespread and invasive plant in Hawai‘i that will likely not be eliminated any time soon. Learn from Sunny Savage, an accomplished forager and creator of the Savage Kitchen App, about identifying, harvesting, processing, and eating this invasive species. Sunny will cover how to make koa haole capers as an introduction to her research into the utility of one of Hawai‘i’s most weedy plants. Participants will receive a copy of the author’s 54 page monograph on koa haole.
Workshop Cost: $15 sponsored by GoFarm Hawaiʻi

The 6/10 workshop is FULL. Please Email info@mnbg.orgto join the waitlist.

Native Plant Dyes Workshop
Saturday, Saturday, June 17th | 9am – 3pm

Photo by Lisa Schattenburg-Raymond

Participants will learn innovative processing techniques of many Hawaiian plants, and other substances, to produce traditional natural dyes used on kapa cloth. Lisa Schattenburg-Raymond and Kale‘a Raymond will share information on identifying, collecting, preparing dyes, and the use of natural additives to manipulate color.

Members: $150.50
New Members: $175, includes Naupaka-level Garden Membership

Processing Hawaiian ʻAwa with Kaʻiana Runnels & GoFarm Hawaiʻi
Saturday, June 24th | 8:30am to 3:30pm
This workshop is FULL. Email info@mnbg.org to join the waitlist.

ʻAwa (Piper methysticum) is a medicine, a ceremonial and recreational beverage, and a sacred offering within traditional Hawaiian religious ceremonies. There are 13 heritage Hawaiian varieties of ‘awa still remaining in cultivation, each with unique properties. Kaʻiana Runnels a mahiʻai (farmer) and Mahiʻāina (farm land) Supervisor for The Kohala Center on Hawaiʻi island. Kaʻiana will show participants how to harvest, cut, clean, process, handle and freeze fresh ‘awa to best retain quality, and speak about the history and protocol around this mea kanu (Hawaiian heritage crop).
Workshop Cost: $15 sponsored by GoFarm Hawaiʻi

Large Batch Kūlolo Making with Namea Hoshino & GoFarm Hawaiʻi
Saturday, July 1st | 9am to 12pm
This workshop is FULL. Email info@mnbg.org to join the waitlist.

Kalo (Colocasia esculenta) is perhaps the most beloved plant icon in Hawaiian culture and the basis of many Hawaiian recipes. Kūlolo is a Hawaiian dessert staple made from freshly steamed kalo (taro corm), coconut milk, and sugar. Maui Nui Botanical Gardens Hawaiian Cultivars Manager, Namea Hoshino, has many years of experience cooking in large batches for events and has tested many different heritage Hawaiian kalo varieties in his Kūlolo recipe. Namea will teach participants to harvest, handle and process the kalo and niu (coconut), and go through the process of making kūlolo in large batches. The class will end with a taste test of kūlolo made with different cultivars of Hawaiian kalo.
Workshop Cost: $15 sponsored by GoFarm Hawaiʻi

The 7/1 workshop is FULL. Please Email info@mnbg.org to join the waitlist.

Na ʻono i ka lau a me ke kalo
The tasty leaf and kalo
Identifying & Taste Testing Kalo & Lau with Namea Hoshino
Saturday, July 15 | 9 to 1 pm
This workshop is FULL. Email info@mnbg.org to join the waitlist.

Students will get an overview of heritage Hawaiian kalo varieties and taste test a selection of cooked corm and leaf from within the MNBG collection. Join Hawaiian Cultivars Manager Namea Hoshino to learn how taste and texture change according to variety and growing conditions.

Members: $40.30
New Members: $65, includes Naupaka-level Garden Membership

Imu Building Workshop with Ikaika Nakahashi
TWO DAYS:
Friday, July 28th | 10am to 6:30pm
Saturday, July 29th | 8am to 2pm

This two-day, in-depth workshop will teach many aspects and benefits of cooking in an imu (traditional Hawaiian underground oven). Hands-on instruction will include how to plan, build, and cook from an imu. Imu cooking is a healthy and delicious method of food preparation that perpetuates the Hawaiian culture and sustainability. Participants will get to include a pan of food for cooking in the imu.
Note: This is a TWO-DAY workshop. Participants must attend both days.
Members: $100
New Members: $125, includes Naupaka-level Garden Membership

"Hau You" with Kapa Curious
TWO DAYS:
Saturday, August 12th OR Sunday, August 13th | 9am to 1pm
(Both workshops are FULL.
Please Email info@mnbg.org to join the waitlist.)

The “Hau You” workshop is designed to revive the love and appreciation of the magical Hau tree (Hibiscus tiliaceus). Each attendee will be immersed in all things Hau and they will learn three ways to process its fiber. Cordage, tassels, and embroidery projects will be made to further solidify the understanding of Hau and how to distinguish which fiber can be used for each project. From the bark to the flower petals, the Hau tree offers six different dyes. This workshop will focus on how to obtain four of these colors and how to apply these colors on paper or fabric. Sustainability, foraging, growing, and the history of Hau will also be discussed

Kapa Curious is a local, family-owned business created by Native Hawaiian artist, Kekai Kahokukaalani Daunhauer. Their purpose is to respectfully bring awareness of our Hawaiian culture by sharing our art and knowledge. They continue to attempt to honor our kupuna (ancestors) in combining traditional practices with modern mediums.

Members: $75
New Members: $100, includes Naupaka-level Garden Membership

Both workshops are FULL. Please Email info@mnbg.org
to join the waitlist.

Processing Lau Hala for Ulana (Weaving) with Gail Kuba
Saturday, August 19th | 9am to 12pm

This hands-on class will show how to select, harvest, de-thorn, process, including a process to “bleach” green lau into cream color; and strip lau hala leaves for weaving. The class will end with making a simple 3-strand kūpe‘e (bracelet) and start a 5-strand to finish on your own.

Gail Kuba is a retired public and private school teacher, and a weaver who has been working with lau hala since 2000. She learned from gifted Kumu like Uncle Frank Masagatani, Aunty Ku‘ulei Haina of Hana, Uncle Wes Sen and now Pōhaku Kaho‘ohanohano. Kuba is also a lei flower grower and lei maker, a kapa maker and studies lā‘au lapa‘au. All these studies inform her work.

Members: $50.25
New Members: $75, includes Naupaka-level Garden Membership

E kalo ʻai a koʻu makua
The kalo that feeds is my parent
Harvesting, Prepping, & Cooking Kalo
with Namea Hoshino
NEW DATE: Saturday, August 26, | 9 am to 2 pm

"E kalo ʻai a koʻu makua." - The kalo that feeds is my parent. Harvesting, prepping, and cooking kalo: this is a different kind of cooking class for those who want to go beyond poi, lau lau, and kūlolo. MNBG Hawaiian Cultivars Manager Namea Hoshino will be leading hands-on preparations of leaf, corm, and stem and sharing recipes for all three. Bring your apron and your own kalo recipes to share!

Members: $40.30
New Members: $65, includes Naupaka-level Garden Membership

‘Ōhi‘a Seed Conservation Workshop with Dr. Marian Chau
Saturday, September 16th | 9am to 12pm

This workshop is part of a series in the Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death Seed Banking Initiative, which aims to expand capacity for collection and banking of ‘ōhi‘a seeds across all islands in response to the ROD crisis. It is free and open to anyone who wants to learn how to properly collect, handle, and process ‘ōhi‘a seeds, without doing harm to trees or forests, using methods that protect seed viability and ensure conservation value for future restoration.

This workshop is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service Region 5 Urban and Community Forestry Program. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Cost: FREE. Preregistration is required.

Ka pili oha mai kaʻāina a ka moana ke kalo
The interconnections Between Land, Sea, & Kalo with Namea Hoshino
Saturday, September 23 | 9am - 1pm

Photo credits (clockwise from top left): Manini, Acanthurus triostegus sandvicensis by Jim Bahn; ʻElepaio, Chasiempsis sandwichensis by Bettina Arrigoni; ʻElepaio, Kalo by Jerry Konanui; Manini Kea, Kalo by Jerry Konanui

Hawaiian kalo varieties names also refer to other things. Gain hands-on experience in harvesting and identifying heritage varieties. Learn about Hawaiian land, sea, animal, plant names and their connections to kalo varieties names with MNBG Hawaiian Cultivars Manager Namea Hoshino.

Members: $40.30
New Members $65, includes Naupaka-level Garden Membership

Wreath Making with Native Hawaiian Plants
Saturday, December 2nd
Morning Session: 9am - 12pm
Afternoon Session: 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Make a holiday wreath with living, growing native plants OR cut, green, and dried native plants. Living wreaths will grow outdoors for several months or years if watered regularly, and cut foliage wreaths need no further care! Join Executive Director Tamara Sherrill and Horticulturalist Emmely Felipe in this annual Maui Nui Botanical Gardens tradition.
Members: $45.50
New Members: $70, includes Naupaka-level Garden Membership

Check Here Often for Upcoming Workshops!

Cancellations (paid workshops): Space is limited and registering without payment does not guarantee a spot. Once paid registration is full, MNBG will accept unpaid registrations in the order they are received to place you on a waitlist. Refunds for cancellations will be given only if you call 249-2798 to inform us of the cancellation at least 24 hours before the workshop begins. No-shows and cancellations less than 24 hours before a workshop will forfeit registration and membership fees.
Mahalo for your understanding.

Cancellations (free workshops): Space is limited, so if you need to cancel please call us at 249-2798 to free space for others to register.

Location
The Garden is located at 150 Kanaloa Avenue in Kahului, Maui, right across from the War Memorial Stadium.
(808) 249-2798

Hours of Operation
Tuesday through Saturday,
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closed occasionally for inclement weather and Hawaii State Holidays.

Admission
Members:   Free
General:   $10
Kama'āina (with Hawai'i ID) Suggested Donation:   $2
Keiki Under 12:   Free

Please Consider
Making a Donation
Every dollar contributed to Maui Nui Botanical Gardens goes directly towards the preservation of Native Hawaiian Plants and the upkeep of our collection that includes some of the rarest specimens in whole world!

Random Pictures from our Galleries

P1010393 1_P1010648a P1030657 Lā ‘Ulu - Chef Shirley Kauhaihao P1030771 P1030797 P1030866 Lā ‘Ulu - Wearing native lei po'o

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.