Walters Kimura Motoda, Inc.

Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii

2018 Hawaii A.S.L.A. Honor Award

A heavy emphasis on native Hawaiian and Polynesian-introduced plants serves to communicate some of the basic elements of Hawaiian culture to the visitor. These plants are used in “purposeful” landscaping where the plants can be used, studied and appreciated. For many visitors, this may be their first and only exposure to the many important ways in which native Hawaiians used the plants that are merely regarded as part of the landscape to others.

Similar to the Hawaiian concept of “kaona”, which literally translates to “hidden meaning,” the proper selection of plants provides multiple layers of understanding of Hawaiian history and culture. The landscape is not only meant to please the eye, but to educate as well.