Garden Docents Sought at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens

Photo credit MNBG

Maui Nui Botanical Gardens is recruiting new docent trainees to help lead ethnobotany tours for tourists, visiting schools and community groups.

To grow interest in Maui Nui Botanical Gardens’ docent program, MNBG is hosting eight free “mini-workshops” led by cultural practitioner Lisa Schattenburg-Raymond.

The training is free and includes education on pia processing, ‘awapuhi and ‘ōlena processing for scenting cloth, processing kamani and kukui nuts for candles, kaula (cordage) making, making ‘ohe kāpala (bamboo kapa stamps), making kapa (barkcloth) samples, and making dyes from native plants.

Docents have the ability to learn and inspire people with the fascinating stories and uses behind native Hawaiian plants. To participate, email [email protected] to request a registration form.

Support for the MNBG docent training program is provided by Hawai‘i Tourism through the Kūkulu ‘Ola Program.

The mission of the nonprofit Maui Nui botanical Gardens is to foster appreciation and understanding of Maui Nui’s plants and their role in Hawaiian cultural expression by providing a gathering place for discovery, education & conservation.

The training takes place on Wednesdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, located at 150 Kanaloa Avenue in Kahului across from the War Memorial Football Stadium.