Make it special. Make it your own.
It All Begins with an Idea: Stabilizing an amphitheater of silt dirt & create a natural-looking pathway
Sustainable Landscape Transformation at Mauna Kea Foothills
Every great solution begins with a vision. This stunning property, situated at over 2,000 feet elevation on the foothills of Mauna Kea, once faced severe flooding and thick mud due to the surrounding silt amphitheater. Our sustainable, ‘Āina-friendly approach transformed the landscape by planting over 300 clusters of Hawaiian-grown vetiver grass. With its deep, wide roots, the vetiver now stabilizes the hillside, preventing erosion, flooding, and mudslides.
To enhance the space, we designed a beautiful staircase leading up the amphitheater to a serene, shaded retreat beneath a graceful willow tree. A lava paver landing was installed on the opposite side, along with carefully placed short staircases connecting the newly graded levels, where lush garden spaces now thrive.
Explore the remarkable transformation of this property through our before-and-after images, and let your imagination and inspiration guide you in envisioning what’s possible for your own landscape.
Final result of staircase leading up to willow tree. Full view of amphitheater with now grown vetiver grass, holding up the hill and avoiding erosion. We can also see a fig tree that is now two and a half years planted into the ground, and a maturing monkey-pod tree which was also not there previously.
Where now lie beautiful gardens and a stunning lava paver staircase, once was simply a weed-covered hill.
Carving the hillside to create the 40 blue rock lava paver staircase. These clients wanted it to look natural and robust, almost as if naturally created by the hill.
Progression of staircase creation and also wider angle view of entire hill before being weeded and having vetiver installed.
Progression of paver staircase.
Final result of staircase leading up to willow tree. Full view of amphitheater with now grown vetiver grass, holding up the hill and avoiding erosion. We can also see a fig tree that is now two and a half years planted into the ground, and a maturing monkey-pod tree which was also not there previously.
Where now lie beautiful gardens and a stunning lava paver landing and mini staircases, once was simply a weed-covered hill.
Final lava paver landing at top of hillside previously covered in weeds and grass.
Joey carrying & placing 50lbs pavers for landing on opposite side of amphitheater.
Cleared hillside previously covered in weeds and grass. Beginning stages of terracing and creating different levels for gardens with mini stairs connecting each level.
