Honolulu’s First Community Garden Established 1975

Bylaws

(Revised June 2026)

All gardeners of the Makiki Community Garden (MCGA) agree to be subject to and abide by the Current City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation Rules and Regulations for Community Recreational Gardening Program, and any additional Rules and Regulations adopted by the Makiki Community Garden Association.

I GARDENER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. A gardener becomes a member of the MCGA upon assignment of a garden plot. Gardeners agree to abide by the following rules and requirements.
2. A gardener may not sign in for more than one plot at a time.
3. MCGA Monthly Meetings (C&C Rules §19-12-11-h)
   1. All gardeners, unless specifically exempted, are required to attend a minimum of four MCGA meetings per year.
   2. Monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, in a designated room in the Makiki Park Arts and Crafts Building, starting at 7:00 p.m.
   3. All members must sign-in to receive credit for attending a meeting. It is the gardener’s responsibility to sign-in.
   4. A gardener may send their co-gardener to a meeting if the gardener is unable to attend.
   5. Gardeners unable to attend the required number of monthly meetings must contact the MCGA President to request to be excused or exempted from the requirement.
4. Monthly Garden Cleanups (C&C Rules §19-12-11-i)
   1. All gardeners, unless specifically exempted, must attend two garden cleanups during the calendar year.
   2. Monthly cleanups are scheduled for four hours on the first Saturday following the monthly meeting, between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
   3. Gardeners must sign-in between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. to receive credit for attending a cleanup session.
   4. The one-hour clean-up period starts when the gardener signs the sign-in sheet.
   5. Any variation to the cleanup time must be approved by a garden officer.
   6. Gardeners attending monthly cleanups must work on common areas of the gardens only. No credit will be given for gardeners found to be working in a private garden plot, unless authorized by the garden cleanup coordinator(s).
   7. Trash bags for cleanup are provided. It is recommended that gardeners bring their own tools and protective gloves to assist with cleanup chores.
   8. MCGA Officers and members of the Garden Inspection Committee are excused from monthly garden cleanups.
   9. A gardener that is unable to attend required cleanups is responsible for notifying the Cleanup Coordinator and/or MCGA President to make alternative arrangements.
   10. A gardener seeking to be excused or exempted from the monthly garden cleanup requirement must contact the MCGA President to request approval.
5. Notification Requirements (C&C Rules §19-12-11-l)
   1. Gardeners are responsible for ensuring the MCGA is, at all times, provided current contact information and notified of any condition that may affect the status of their gardens.
   2. Gardeners must attach a mailbox on an aisle-facing fence to allow for communication between gardener and volunteer officers. This mailbox has no strict requirements; but to collect single sheets of paper when needed. Examples include tennis ball container, plastic jar, small metal box, or similar item.
   3. Gardeners should inform the MCGA president of any known extended absences due to illness or other reason that will affect maintenance of their gardens.

II GARDEN USE RULES

1. Mulching (C&C Rules §19-12-12-h)
   1. A. Due to recent issue with the coconut rhinoceros beetle, mulching of more than 3” to 4” is prohibited in the individual gardens until further notice.
2. Fences (C&C Rules §19-12-13-c)
   1. Gardeners may construct fences around their individual plots.
   2. Non-metal portions of the fence should be painted green.
   3. Gardens may be locked but gardeners agree that should the MCGA or the City and County require access to a garden, the lock may be removed (i.e., broken or cut) if the gardener is not available in a timely manner to provide access to the plot.
3. Plant height limits (C&C Rules §19-12-12-f)
   1. Annual plants such as corn, pole beans, and sunflowers may exceed five feet provided they die back within 12 months of planting.
4. Standing Water (C&C Rules §19-12-13-r)
   1. The use of water elements such as ponds is discouraged. However, any gardener electing to use water elements must incorporate small fish or other mosquito larvae controlling steps at all times.

III GARDEN INSPECTIONS

1. Garden Inspection Committee (C&C Rules §19-12-20-b)
   1. A Garden Inspection Committee composed of MCGA garden volunteers shall inspect the gardens on a regular basis to ensure that gardeners follow the rules of MCGA and the City and County Community Garden Handbook.
   2. The MCGA Vice President shall be in charge of the Garden Inspection Committee.
   3. Garden inspections are currently conducted once a month.
   4. If a gardener is cited for a first warning violation, the gardener has 14 days from the date of the citation or until the next inspection to correct the violation.
   5. If a violation has not been corrected by the next inspection, a second warning is issued. The gardener must correct a second violation within 14 days or before the next garden inspection or be subject to revocation.
   6. A gardener that receives warnings of violation six or more times in a year may be considered a chronic violator and is subject to garden revocation.
   7. Garden Inspection Violations shall be placed in the required mail box on the exterior of the plot.

IV GARDEN DUES ( C&C Rules §19-12-21 )

1. Annually, at the start of each fiscal year, gardeners pay a $20.00 fee for a garden plot, consisting of:
   1. $10.00 MCGA membership fee; and a
   2. $10.00 City and County of Honolulu Annual Usage fee.
2. Dues are collected starting April 1st until June 30th. The dues will cover April to April.
3. Failure to pay annual dues by June 30th will result in a violation. If unpaid by July 31st of each year, result will be revocation of the garden.
4. New gardeners will pay beginning dues off a prorated schedule per the date the obtain access to a garden plot.
   1. April to June – $20 (10 to C&C, 10 to MCG)
   2. July to September – $14 (7 to C&C, 7 to MCG)
   3. October to December $8 (4 to C&C, 4 to MCG)
   4. January to March – $2 (1 to C&C, 1 to MCG)

V RETURN OF GARDENS (C&C Rules §19-12-17)

1. In case of voluntary surrender, gardens should be returned in the same condition as given, unless offering upgrades for incoming gardener. Waste, overgrowth, and any locks should be removed.
   1. Gardeners must alert a volunteer officer of final day of gardening. After final day, there is no claim to what is left in the garden plot.

VI MCGA OFFICERS (C&C Rules §19-12-19)

1. In accordance with the City and County Community Garden Handbook, the officers of MCGA shall be a: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Applications Officer.
2. The MCGA has elected to add the following additional officers: Awards Officer and Cleanup Coordinator.
3. Officer Duties
   1. Officers are permitted to spend up to $50 from the MCGA account on behalf of the
      MCGA, subject to availability of funds.
   2. Any proposed expenditure of MCGA funds exceeding $50 must have prior approval of
      a majority of the MCGA membership present at the meeting in which the proposal is
      presented.
4. Officer Elections
   1. Officers will be elected annually in December of each calendar year.
   2. Nominations for officer positions may be made during the December MCGA meeting
      when officers are to be elected.
   3. For any officer position that fails to be filled during the December meeting, the current officer may continue in that position until a replacement is found.
   4. Special elections may be held in the case of an office position vacancy for any reason.
5. Removal of Officers
   1. Officers may be removed for cause by a majority vote of the MCGA membership present at the meeting where the motion is made.
   2. Officers may be removed from office by decision of the city and county’s Community Gardens Coordinator.

VII BULLETIN BOARD

1. A bulletin board is located near the Makai side of the gardens and adjacent to the parking lot facing Makiki Street.
2. MCGA meeting minutes and inspection details shall be posted on the MCGA bulletin board prior to the garden’s general monthly meeting.
3. Garden members are responsible for regularly checking and reading the bulletin board for any updates and notices.

VIII PERIMETER GARDENS (C&C Rules §19-12-15)

1. The perimeter gardens are common areas and these areas and all the plants within the areas belong to the MCGA and not owned by any gardener.
2. PERIMETER GARDEN RULES

1. No gardener can own a perimeter garden.
2. All plants in a perimeter garden are the property of MCGA and gardeners understand
   that any plant placed in a perimeter garden becomes the property of MCGA.
3. Any proposed significant change made to a perimeter garden must be approved by at
   least two of the MCGA officers and the Community Garden Coordinator.

IX PERIMETER FENCE

1. The perimeter fence will be maintained by the City and County of Honolulu. The management and cost of the gate locks and keys will be maintained by MCGA.
2. It is a gardener’s obligation to open and close the lock during each entry and exit.
3. There shall be no improper use of the fence; including but not limited to climbing, removing, or cutting the fence.
4. MAINTENANCE
   1. No plants shall grow on or within two feet of the fence.
   2. The view through the fence will not be obstructed.
5. LOCKS AND KEYS (C&C Rules §19-12-14-f)
   1. The garden may choose to use locks on the gates. A spare key must be given to the CGC and appropriate offices for ease of access.
      1. Each gardener will be given one key by a garden officer after matching their ID to the garden directory and sign out the key. Upon permit closure, the key will be returned to a garden officer.
         
      2. If a gardener has a registered co-gardener, the co-gardener may pay $5 to the MCGA treasury for a secondary key and follow the same key sign out process with a garden officer.
         
      3. In case of a lost key, a replacement key can be purchased through a garden officer for $10 paid to the MCGA treasury.
         1. Garden keys are printed “Do Not Duplicate”. Gardeners are not allowed to duplicate keys. This will prevent an unknown number of duplicated keys and maintain garden access to only approved gardeners.