KAHE FARRINGTON ROADSIDE LANDSCAPE PROJECT WITH HECO 
RESTORING LEEWARD O‘AHU'S
NATIVE HAWAIIAN DRYLAND PLANTING

KAHE POINT, O‘AHU, HAWAI‘I

Kahe Farrington Roadside Landscape Project was the combined efforts of Native Plant Growers, Matt Kapaliku Schirman and Rick Kaponowaiwaiola Barboza from Hui Kū Maoli Ola, LLC, and John Lu'uwai from the Hawaiian Electric Company who worked together with the Landscape Architect, Dana Anne Yee, Landscape Architect, LLC, that a restoration of Leeward Oahu's native Hawaiian Dryland Planting project became a reality.  A schematic landscape planting plan that covers an area 30’ wide by 1/2 mile long with many species of native Hawaiian plants were planted along the roadside fronting Kahe Power Plant.

The focus was to plant a garden that is both historical and cultural, through enhancing the roadside landscape with native Hawaiian plants which serve as a natural accent to the strikingly beautiful surroundings of the Wai`anae Mountain Range.  With the support and involvement of the Wai`anae community and Wai`anae school, Hawaiian Electric Company spearheaded this ambitious roadside project.  The native plant growers provided their expertise, and planted the native Hawaiian plants and plants used in the Hawaiian culture.  The neighborhood board is happy with the garden and have already suggested other plants needed for their cultural activities.

The Medicinal Garden / La`au Lapa`au, Lawai’a for Fishing and Canoe Garden, and  Kumulipo for Source of Life for the Dyeing and Kapa Garden were the 3 special Hawaiian cultural garden areas that make up the1/2 mile stretch of planting.

This area includes 2 large drainage areas which are dotted with natural coral outcroppings.  The coral outcroppings and the natural undulating terrain were used in the design of this interesting educational walk. The design was started with Coconut Palms which were planted in dense groups, so that the Coconut Palms would be growing for many generations into the future.  The 3 main areas were designed to accent the trees and plant materials that make up the special uses for medicinal purposing, for making dyes, and for fishing.  The types of trees were grouped so that each section would be recognized by the 3 special Hawaiian cultural areas that they are in. 

The pathway would not be made of any manmade material, but would be a natural pathway of a style of pathway of ancient times, created by people experiencing the garden walk and the 3 gardens, La`au Lapa`au Garden, Fishing Garden, and Dyeing Garden.

Restoring the Leeward coast with Native Hawaiian Dryland Planting has been accomplished with many plants now brought back to their native place of growth to help create an awareness and an appreciation of the preservation of our natural environment.  This native Hawaiian planting will be an on-going project with the native plant growers, and with volunteer planting by the neighborhood community schools.  It will, and has benefitted, the entire Wai`anae community.  This beautification will stand the test of time with the many learning projects for years to come for the students of the Wai`anae Coast.

​

Kahe Farrington Roadside Landscape Project with HECO recieved an Award of Excellence from the Betty Crocker Landscape Awards sponsored by Scenic Hawai‘i in 2014.