Kona Outdoor Circle

72-6280 Kuakini Highway

Kailua Kona HI 96740

www.konaoutdoorcircle.org

808 331 2426          This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Kona Outdoor Circle (KOC) is a branch of the statewide organization known as The Outdoor Circle (TOC), the first environmental non-profit organization in the state.  TOC was formed by a group of concerned citizens over 100 years ago with the mission to “Keep Hawaii Clean, Green, and Beautiful” by preserving, protecting and enhancing our environment for future generations.  There are now 12 branches of the organization on all islands throughout the state.  On Hawaii Island there are three branches: Kona, Waikoloa and Waimea.

Among the past and present accomplishments of The Outdoor Circle are: ridding the state of billboards in 1926; starting recycling awareness and anti-litter campaigns in Hawaii; an Exceptional Tree Statute; protecting view planes and open space; providing environmental education for our children and adults; advocating to place utility lines underground; eliminating illegal and inappropriate signage; as well as promoting and sponsoring community beautification projects.

The Kona Outdoor Circle began with an effort by Sadie Seymour to beautify The Kona Airport, known now as The Old Kona Airport, with Bougainvillea.  Mrs. Seymour assembled a group of ladies (and their Rotary husbands) because she did not want anyone to come to Kona without seeing a beautiful place.  A lei was made for every passenger and the roadways and runways were planted for the first flight in 1948.

The Organization grew as the members planted and promoted a more beautiful environment in Kona.  There are many landscapes in Kona that had their beginning with these early beautification pioneers.

In 1983 the Kona Outdoor Circle was given land on which to build an education center.  This led to the creation of the Kona Outdoor Circle Education Center and Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens (Foundation) to manage the education center and a prominent Heiau, Kealakowa’a, on the grounds.  The Sadie Seymour Gardens were designed and supervised by Scott Seymour, Sadie Seymour’s son, who is still very involved in the Kona Outdoor Circle and the Education Center Foundation.  This is where the Kona Outdoor Circle Foundation maintains a collection of plant-related books and shared offices for both organizations.

The Kona Outdoor Circle offers a year-round schedule of classes on Tropical Gardening.  As a result of numerous requests from class evaluations over the years, KOC recently offered Container Gardening Certification Series.  Apparent from the enthusiastic response, the topic of Container Gardening is approachable to those intimidated by gardening.  Experienced gardeners identify the logical and sustainable quality of Container Gardening. 

KOC’s ongoing beautification project is the Green Lei in Kealakehe by the Kona Police Station.  Weekly Plant Advice Lines are maintained by KOC certified advisors.  There is a regular schedule of classes as well as educational community events on the Kona Outdoor Circle website: www.konaoutdoorcircle.org. 5.2010