Wiliwili Festival draws a crowd

Above: Youth learn about ohia and rapid ohia death during the 12th annual Wiliwili Festival Saturday. The free festival featured an array of exhibitors presenting activities and educational materials at booths set up along the preserve’s main road which leads to a Hale Hana Hou where guests were treated to a native plant giveaway and growing guides available to take home, in addition to informative presentations. Right: Wiliwili seedlings grow in the greenhouse. (Photos by Chelsea Jensen/West Hawaii Today)

Attendees of the 12th annual Wiliwili Festival receive an a‘ali‘i seedling to plant during Saturday's event at the Waikoloa Dry Forest Preserve.(Chelsea Jensen/West Hawaii Today)

Paauilo's Forest Solutions Inc. offered up an array of native plant seedlings to attendees Saturday at the 12th annual Wiliwili Festival. (Chelsea Jensen/West Hawaii Today)

A couple heads to 12th annual Wiliwili Festival at the Waikoloa Dry Forest Preserve Saturday in Waikoloa Village. (Chelsea Jensen/West Hawaii Today)

The event also featured hikes, included guided hikes through the Waikoloa Dry Forest Preserve. (Chelsea Jensen/West Hawaii Today)

A large wiliwili tree is seen during Saturday's Wiliwili Festival. (Chelsea Jensen/West Hawaii Today)

Wiliwili seedlings are seen in the greenhouse during the 12th annual Wiliwili Festival Saturday in Waikoloa Village. (Chelsea Jensen/West Hawaii Today)