Nurturing a green legacy for Washington Place
Posted on Oct 27, 2021 in Capitol Connection, Featured, Main
If you want a chicken-skin moment and a glimpse of history, check out the new Washington Place website at https://washingtonplace.hawaii.gov/. Under the “Tours and Gardens” section, you’ll see a handwritten list by Queen Liliu‘okalani of the trees and plants at the residence — a reflection of the home she loved. To revitalize the gardens and contribute to the state’s pledge (see related story), Governor and Mrs. Ige worked alongside cabinet members last month to plant several species of Native Hawaiian trees and plants, especially those favored by the queen.
“We tried to pick some of the plants from her list, based on the environment and their survivability,” Mrs. Ige explained. “We included two yellow ʻōhiʻa and a kukui nut tree, which is our official state tree.” The project was a joint effort of several state departments, including Public Safety, Land and Natural Resources and the UH College of Tropical Agriculture, which helped create Washington Place’s first aquaponic garden. “The cabinet members worked really hard to clear several areas,” said Mrs. Ige.
Governor and Mrs. Ige dig in for tree planting.
The First Lady and cabinet members after weed pulling.
This Thanksgiving, the First Lady said she and the governor are looking forward to a quiet dinner with a small group of family members. “I’m hoping for a cautious easing of restrictions to celebrate the holidays,” she said. “We’re grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to help us heal as a community during this pandemic.”