Ulu La' au - Waimea Nature Park - The largest project of the Waimea Outdoor Circle is our Nature Park - Ulu La‘au. This means "Garden of Trees". The park is free to the public and open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for walking, picnics, nature enjoyment, native plant identification, dog walking, etc. The Park is a 10 acre parcel of State land in the heart of Waimea town, leased by Waimea Outdoor Circle for environmental research, education and restoration. Our goal has been to remove invasive/noxious plant species and replace them with endemic and canoe plants (plants brought to Hawaii by the native Hawaiians in their canoes), along with the endangered and threated plant species native to Hawaii. We provide long-term maintenance of these plants, and provide an opportunity for environmental education for local school groups and the general public. The Park’s location, about 2,600 feet elevation near Waimea’s “dry side”, is frequently affected by “wet side” weather patterns, making possible the growing of a wide range of species from both the wet and dry uplands. The Park is a wonderful place to gather, picnic or simply stroll and enjoy, an asset for our community. Click here to read more information.

Ohia Lehua Collection - This is really special because we have the largest collection of different color Ohia Lehua trees in the state and therefore the world! Click here to read about the special legend of these trees. To view the Ohia Lehua Collection visit our photo gallery.

Signs and Billboards - One important effort for which The Outdoor Circle will be remembered is its 14 year campaign against the use of billboard advertising in Hawaii. To date, Hawaii is one of only four states in the nation that passed anti-billboard legislation. The others are Maine, Vermont and Alaska. A territorial law was passed banning billboards in Hawaii in 1927. However, they had stopped being used in 1926 when early Outdoor Circle members purchased the last remaining business owning and advertising on billboards on Oahu. Outdoor Circle campaigns include all forms of advertising, from sky writing to political advertising and many other forms of signage. The County of Hawaii’s Sign Ordinance outlines the legal uses of various forms of signs and advertising.

Underground Wiring - For all its good efforts to protect the beauty of the islands, Hawai‘i unfortunately has allowed utility lines to obstruct its natural beauty. From Kauai to the Big Island of Hawai‘i more great scenery is disturbed by a tangle of utility lines than any other source. In recent years The Outdoor Circle and other organizations have made progress in supporting laws that require new developments to place utilities under ground. But these efforts have not succeeded in requiring public funding to place utility lines under ground or forcing the utility companies to invest in doing so. Much work lies ahead to rid Hawai‘i of this persistent eyesore.