Community invited to native Hawaiian plant talk story at Kōloa Public and School Library

July is Smart Irrigation Month and the Irrigation Association is once again raising awareness about the importance of water usage and promoting water-saving products, practices and services.

Kauaʻi County Department of Water and National Tropical Botanical Garden are teaming up to further the association’s cause by hosting a free talk story event about native Hawaiian plants at 2 p.m. July 18 at Kōloa Public and School Library in Kōloa.

Nonprofit National Tropical Botanical Garden features an unparalleled living collection of native Hawaiian plant species on Kauaʻi.

The plants are essential to Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems and deeply integrated into Hawaiian culture. They are uniquely adapted to Hawaiʻi’s climate and soils, making them an excellent choice for water-wise landscaping.

Department of Water encourages the use of native Hawaiian plants in yards to promote water conservation and potentially reduce water bills. Each attendee will receive a free native Hawaiian plant — courtesy of National Tropical Botanical Garden — to take home.

In honor of Smart Irrigation Month being an initiative of the Irrigation Association, at the end of the event, a grand prize drawing will be conducted for the chance to win a Watersense-labeled irrigation controller valued at $140, along with water-saving, garden hose nozzles.

Kōloa Public and School Library is located at 3451 Poʻipū Road in Kōloa.

Click here to learn more about Hawaiʻi State Public Library System events. Contact Kauaʻi County Department of Water at 808-245-5455 or via email at publicrelations@kauaiwater.org with any questions or for additional information.