HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-08-21 Joy in the Gardens News Release
News Release August 21, 2017
Subject: Joy in Liliʻuokalani Gardens
In honor of the Centennial celebration of the Liliʻuokalani Gardens in Hilo, the Hawaiʻi Floriculture and
Nursery Association created a multi-faceted floral art piece designed by Ms. Hitomi Gilliam, AIFD. The
floral art piece was installed in the Hawaiʻi County Building and 16 additional floral art pieces were
installed throughout Liliʻuokalani Gardens.
Today at 10:00 AM, the floral art pieces were presented to the Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens and the
County of Hawaiʻi.
Remarks were made by:
Eric Tanouye, President, Hawaiʻi Floriculture and Nursery Association.
Will Okabe, Managing Director, County of Hawaiʻi
K.T. Cannon-Eger, President, Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens
Hitomi Gilliam, AIFD, floral designer
It was one hundred years ago that Liliʻuokalani Gardens in Hilo was established in honor of Queen
Liliʻuokalani, the last Monarch to rule the Kingdom of Hawai’i. In 1907 the Queen gave the people of
Hawaiʻi Island the 5-acre lagoon to be used as a public park. Ten years later the Territorial Legislature
set aside this land and an additional 12 acres. The park was named for the Queen in the spring of 1917,
the same year she died.
The floral art pieces created for Liliʻuokalani Gardens and the Hawaiʻi County Building use only locally
grown flowers and foliage. Buying locally grown agriculture products supports local farms and
nurseries and is the goal of the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Agricultureʻs “Buy Local: It Ma?ers”
campaign. Buying local contributes to the sustainability of not only the Stateʻs economy, but the
environment as well. By using locally grown products there will be less imports and in turn, less chance
of invasive species that can be carried on imports. Invasive species threaten native ecosystems and
local agriculture.
The floral art pieces began to take shape on Saturday, August 19. Ms. Hitomi Gilliam, AIFD, a world
renowned floral designer, gave a public workshop and assisted the attendees as they designed and
●Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association ● P.O. Box 4400 ● Hilo, HI 96720 ● Ph: 808-959-3535
assembled the floral art pieces for Liliʻuokalani Gardens. On Sunday, the public toured the Gardens
and were able to vote for their favorites. The floral art piece for the Hawaiʻi County Building was
designed by Ms. Gilliam and assembled so that the flowers can be easily refreshed, making the art
piece very long lasting.
Contact: Eric Tanouye, President
PO Box 5640 * Hilo, Hawaii 96720
gpn@greenpointnursery.com * 808-960-1433 * www.hawaiineotropica.com
Alternate Contact: Judy Schilling, Recording Secretary
PO Box 5640 * Hilo, Hawaii 96720
hfnajudy@gmail.com * 808-966-9926 * www.hawaiineotropica.com
Video questions: 808-854-4796
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●Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association ● P.O. Box 4400 ● Hilo, HI 96720 ● Ph: 808-959-3535