Hawaiʻi celebrates Arbor Day with annual celebrations encouraging tree growth to sustain communities

Everyone on Hawaiʻi Island is invited to join the annual celebration of trees today (Nov. 7) for Arbor Day Hawaiʻi.

“When we grow trees, we sustain communities,” said state Division of Forestry and Wildlife Urban and Community Forester Heather McMillen in an announcement about activities throughout the islands celebrating Arbor Day 2025.

There will be tree giveaways, plantings and educational activities happening this month throughout the state — each also highlighting Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green’s formal proclamation of 2025 as Year of Our Community Forests.

Green’s proclamation spotlights the importance of the trees where we live, learn and play — they connect people and cultures, giving Hawai‘i’s communities a sense of place.

They offer gathering spaces, shade under which to cool down, fruit and nuts to eat, wood for carving, leaves for weaving and flowers for lei — those are just a few of their many benefits.

Everyone can be stewards of community forests this Arbor Day.

“Whether you adopt a tree at a giveaway, plant and care for trees at a volunteer day or celebrate trees at a community festival, you’re part of growing the community forest,” McMillen said.

Festivities span the state — from Oʻahu to Hawaiʻi Island, Maui Nui to Kauaʻi. Visit the Kaulunani Arbor Day Hawaiʻi page on the state Land Department website to see a comprehensive list.

There are more than 40 events listed to mark the special day this year.

ʻŌhiʻa Love Fest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Limahuli Garden and Preserve on Kauaʻi features a native plant sale, educational talks, local food and craft vendors, live music and keiki fun.

Arbor Day Hawaiʻi has observed this special holiday and marked the beginning of Hawaiʻi’s rainy season — an ideal time for planting trees in the islands — for more than 110 years .

“Arbor Day gives us the important opportunity to share with the community of [Hawaiʻi] the importance of urban forestry, and a grander scale, the importance of how urban forestry impacts the entire ecosystem of Hawaiʻi,” said Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee Project Manager Keren Gundersen as quoted on the state’s Arbor Day website.