The City of Honolulu will be celebrating Earth Day by honoring our Mother Earth during the month of April and beyond.  A full calendar of various events are planned.  Honolulu is holding a Reduce Electrical Use Contest.  Contestants are asked to design a switch plate cover with a "reduce electrical" theme.  Entries must be postmarked no later than midnight April 30th.  The winning design will be used to replace switch covers in City Hall.  Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place winners.
 
On Saturday (April 11), an educational event, the 2nd Annual Mauka to Makai Environmental Expo, is being held at the Waikiki Aquarium from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Various agencies (federal, state and city) will be on hand to educate the public on what is being done to protect and preserve the Hawaiian environment.  The event will feature family-oriented displays, crafts and activities.  A special treat will be the release of hatchery-raised Moi (Pacific threadfin fish) into the water. T his event is FREE, so be sure to attend.
 
On April 18, it is lights out!  You will be able to see the beautiful, star-studded sky much more clearly between the hours of 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., when Honolulu will celebrate Earth Day by turning out its lights.
 
Be sure to check out the debut of Honolulu's first Green Market on Fort Street Mall on April 22 at 10 a.m.
 
The youth of Honolulu will be holding a summit meeting at Ala Wai Golf Course Club House in the Diamond Head Ballroom on April 26.  The 21st Century Ahupua'a Youth Ambassadors will be discussing and planning ways to shape the future of Honolulu.
 
Honolulu will continue to honor Mother Earth throughout the year when the Curbside Recycling program is expanded on May 4th.  In addition, Lights Out will become an official monthly event for the City of Honolulu.  The city will turn off its lights every third Saturday of the month, beginning on April 18.
 
In keeping with the Earth Day theme, I thought I would also let you know that the Lyon Arboretum at the UH Manoa campus (Blaisdell Hall) will be holding a plant sale this Saturday (April 11) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Exotic trees, foliage, succulents and flowers will be available for purchase.  Plant doctors will also be on hand to answer questions that you may have.  Hui Hana Hawaii volunteers will be selling fresh jams, jellies, haku lei and craft items.  Door prizes will be given away and there will be special fun activities for all of the keiki (children).  Admission is $2, with proceeds going to the arboretum in Manoa Valley.  Need more info?  Call 988-0456 or visit http://www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum.
 
Let's all celebrate Mother Earth!  Remember to Reuse, Recycle, Conserve and Plant beautiful greenery everywhere!
 
Aloha,
Robin McCann, Robin McCann Realty