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NEWS RELEASE
Mayor Rick Blangiardi
Department of Parks and Recreation
City and County of Honolulu

Enjoy special events and docent training this Fall at Foster Botanical Garden!
Garden history events begin September 19. Docent training begins October 7.


courtesy “Honolulu Parks & Rec”

Foster Botanical Garden visitors enjoy a docent-led tour in the Orchid Conservatory

O‘AHU — Calling all plant enthusiasts, history buffs, and philanthropic community members! Now is your chance to learn about the living legacy of Mary Foster (the matriarch of our botanical gardens) and help continue her educational mission by becoming a docent at Foster Botanical Garden.

Foster Botanical Garden is offering special events through September to mark Hawaiian History Month and celebrate the accomplishments of the garden’s namesake founder and Queen Lili‘uokalani. Following these engaging historical events, garden staff will conduct training starting in October to empower the next cohort of docents to continue spreading the ‘ike (knowledge) of this historic location and its uniquely biodiverse garden!

September Historical Events
Enjoy historical tours, reenactments, documentary screenings, and cultural programming that bring the garden’s people, stories, and history to life. Culminating in a celebration of Mary Foster’s Birthday on September 20!

The Friends of Honolulu Botanical Gardens and Hawaii Ponoʻi Coalition will bring the early history of Foster Garden to life through reenactments beginning 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. on Sept. 19, Sept. 20, Sept. 26, and Sept. 27. Registration is required, but donations are optional.

Register for reenactments on Saturday, Sept. 19 & Sunday, Sept. 20 online at: bit.ly/fosterhistory1

Register for reenactments on Saturday, Sept. 26 & Sunday, Sept. 27 online at: bit.ly/fosterhistory2

In addition to these amazing performances, there are several other special events to mark Mary Foster’s Birthday on September 20, including:

•   10:30 a.m. — Special docent tour

•   11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. & 2 p.m. — Nā Wahine Buda Kiakahi documentary screenings in the Conservatory Classroom

•   1 p.m. — Metta Oli: a presentation of the Karaniya Metta Sutta in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at the Bodhi Tree




Schedule of events celebrating Mary Foster’s Birthday on Sept. 20,

October Docent Training
Eager to explore Foster Botanical Garden’s rich history, discover its fascinating plant life, and share that wonder with others? Now’s your chance, with training to become a volunteer docent!

Our talented garden staff and experienced docents will be training the next cohort of volunteer tour guides beginning in October. This seven-week training course will take place Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., October 7 through November 18, 2026 at Foster Botanical Garden.

Participants must attend at least six of the seven sessions, but we’re sure you’ll want even more of this high-level training. It provides participants the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills needed to lead introductory and specialized tours. Major topics will include:

•   Garden introduction

•   History of Foster Botanical Garden

•   Economic & prehistoric plants

•   Trees & plants of the Historic Terraces

•   Palms of the garden

•   Significant and exceptional trees

•   Orchids, conservation, & butterfly garden

•   The docent experience

The course fee is $25, which covers the cost of the docent manual which is yours to keep. Participants of all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to apply by contacting Noel Chilton at noel.chilton@honolulu.gov or (808) 726-6763.

Our garden docents play an important role in helping visitors discover, understand, and appreciate Foster Botanical Garden. While prior botanical knowledge is welcome, the garden is seeking participants who bring enthusiasm, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. Following completion of the training, docents are invited to lead tours of their own, based on their availability, at 10:30 a.m. Mahalo for your interest, and we hope to see you at Foster Botanical Garden!




Foster Botanical Garden Docent Training Flyer October 7 - November 18, 2026.
If you need an auxiliary aid/service, other accommodations due to a disability, or an interpreter for a language other than English in reference to this announcement, please contact the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email parks@honolulu.gov at least three business days before the scheduled event. Without sufficient advanced notice, it may not be possible to fulfill requests.

*For pictures and video of docent tours and the garden events click here. Please courtesy “Honolulu Parks & Rec” for their use. Take care and stay healthy.

—PAU—
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