It has been said that The Outdoor Circle was inspired during a vacation in France, in 1911. Cherilla Lowrey, Mrs. Henry Waterhouse and her daughter Elnora Sturdeon marveled at the splendor of the Gardens of Versailles. They wanted Hawaii to be a place of beauty and in 1912 the women started The Outdoor Circle. In the same vein, today the women of the North Shore branch of The Outdoor Circle have adopted a garden in one of the most beautiful and beloved valleys on Oahu.

Last spring a representative from Waimea Valley spoke at the NSOC bi-annual membership meeting about an opportunity to adopt a garden in the valley. The program has been well received by other community minded garden and plant enthusiasts who come out to volunteer at different times and at different gardens within the valley.

NSOC has had a special relationship with Waimea Valley since its inception in 1987 and held its first board and membership meeting under the green tent top meeting area that is now Waimea Pavilion. The group held many plant sales side by side with the arboretum over the years as well as hosted an annual Ke Ala Pupukea Bike Path fundraiser for 16 years—The Harvest Moon Dance.

The group considers it a privilege to work in the garden once a month among friends old and new who support the 106-year-old Outdoor Circle motto: To help to Keep Hawaii Clean, Green, and Beautiful!
You too can volunteer at Waimea Valley by becoming a member of NSOC or by contacting Waimea Valley Volunteer Coordinator Melani Spielman at MSpielman@waimeavalley.net ALOHA