× Expand Hawai‘i Forest Institute The Honolulu Zoo's Children’s Discovery Forest reconnects urban visitors with the Hawaiian forest and kids love it too!

Hawai‘i Forest Institute (HFI), the Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association (HFIA), and the Honolulu Zoo Children's Discovery Forest have scheduled their monthly community work day for 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, March 16, at Honolulu Zoo. Kokua is needed to help pull weeds, plant seedlings and enjoy this special garden.

Volunteers should plan to meet at the Honolulu Zoo’s Gate #6, located off Monsarrat Avenue across from the Waikiki Shell parking lot at 9 a.m.

All interested volunteers are asked to RSVP to Linda Duling at LMDULING@hawaii.edu.

Located near the Honolulu Zoo entrance and adjacent to the future site of a Native Hawaiian Village, the Children’s Discovery Forest was designed to create a representation of natural systems, including a vision of Hawai‘i before the arrival of humans. The exhibit demonstrates and promotes culturally significant Hawaiian plant species, the significance of place, and the kuleana of mālama ‘āina (responsibility to care for the land) by integrating traditional Hawaiian forest ecosystems, forest stewardship opportunities, and innovative land-based education for residents and visitors. The Children’s Discovery Forest reconnects urban visitors with the Hawaiian forest through three demonstration zones: Polynesian-introduced, Dryland Mesic, and Strand Vegetation.