A Tropical Paradise Transformed by No Ka Oi Landscape Services
As the largest retail center and only regional mall on the Island of Kauai, Kukui Grove Center spans an impressive 50 acres that must look immaculate from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year. From island residents to vacationing tourists, this landmark shopping destination relies heavily on its landscaping to create that crucial first impression that keeps visitors returning.
The Transformation Challenge
When No Ka Oi Landscape Services took over the property’s landscaping in 2012, they faced significant challenges. The entryway had been neglected and failed to create the impressive “first impression” consumers expect from prominent retail properties. The curb appeal wasn’t conducive to attracting retail stores or creating memorable experiences for locals or tourists.
As Wade Lord, Asset Manager at Kukui Grove Center, notes: “Landscaping is an integral part of creating a productive retail environment. If consumers are going to spend money, they need to feel good about where they are shopping.”
Expert Solutions for Complex Terrain
One of the most impressive achievements by No Ka Oi was addressing the property’s challenging topography:
The terracing on Kukui Grove was created using stone boulders, which No Ka Oi’s team painstakingly placed on the slope. Understanding that water rolls down a slope, leaving the top dry and the bottom saturated, they selected drought-tolerant plants for the top and moisture-loving varieties for the base.
This erosion control solution included terracing with stone boulders and installing the correct plant material for each microclimate created by the slope ā a perfect example of how No Ka Oi transforms challenges into assets through expert knowledge of Kauai’s unique landscape conditions.
“As a new member of the Makahuena Board of Directors, I volunteered to oversee our landscape which had not been properly maintained by previous landscape maintenance companies. After detailed research and many interviews with landscape companies, I was impressed by only one person… and that was Abby Santos.
We had been wasting money for years following incorrect advice about which plants would survive and thrive on our property and which trees and bushes would work best near structures, etc. Abby and Mike have been able to guide us successfully through the makeover of our property.
Because of a very large ongoing project, we had budget constraints at the time I took over as landscape chair so we were only able to task No Ka Oi with an initial cleanup and continued regular maintenance. But even with those limitations, I was absolutely amazed at the transformation of our property just a few short months later.
And it just keeps getting better. The homeowners are happy and I am thrilled!
No Ka Oi’s customer service is wonderful. They are quick to let us know when there is a problem with any element of our landscape or irrigation system, and Abby always responds immediately when I contact her with a question or seeking her advice.
We are very satisfied No Ka Oi customers. Mahalo, Abby and No Ka Oi!”
Diane Buccola
Makahuena Board of Directors
Innovative Functional Design
Beyond solving technical challenges, No Ka Oi created practical beauty throughout the center:
The raised planters throughout the shopping areas serve dual purposes. Short walls with smooth tops set at sitting height encompass colorful seasonal plantings, giving visitors places to rest while breaking up the monotony of concrete areas common in commercial properties.
The team regularly refreshes these planters, removing struggling plant material and installing varieties that thrive in shallow beds, maintaining vibrant color year-round.
Safety and Beauty
Norfolk pine trees on the property, damaged by a hurricane nearly two decades ago, had never truly recovered and presented safety hazards. No Ka Oi created an attractive, tropical look by replacing the pines with several large planters in a beautiful design, completing the project quickly to minimize disruption.
A True Collaborative Partnership
What truly sets No Ka Oi Landscape Services apart is its approach to client relationships:
“One thing I really like about No Ka Oi is that they spend a great deal of time coming up with ideas and suggestions,” says Lord. “It’s a partnership in that regard. It’s not a top-down kind of relationship where we have to come up with the ideas and they execute. It’s a collaboration where ideas are shared and encouraged.”
The No Ka Oi Difference
No Ka Oi means “the best” in Hawaiian, and with more than 60 team members who are foremost experts in their fields, they ensure clients’ landscapes truly look their best every day. Their comprehensive approach to the Kukui Grove Center demonstrates why they became Kauai’s premier commercial landscape company.
For properties requiring that perfect blend of beauty, functionality, and expert maintenance that can withstand the unique challenges of Hawaii’s environment, No Ka Oi Landscape Services delivers results that enhance visitor experiences and business success.
At No Ka Oi Landscape Services, we take pride in our comprehensive approach to maintaining Kauai’s largest retail center. The following landscape features showcase our expertise in creating a welcoming, functional, and beautiful environment that serves visitors and businesses alike. Each element has been thoughtfully designed and is meticulously maintained to ensure Kukui Grove Center remains a premier shopping destination on the island.
Our name means “the best” in Hawaiian, and that’s precisely what we deliver at Kukui Grove Center. Through our collaborative relationship with property management, innovative landscape solutions, and attention to detail, we’ve transformed this important community landmark into a tropical paradise that enhances the shopping experience for locals and tourists.
As Wade Lord, Asset Manager at Kukui Grove Center, notes, our team “spends a great deal of time coming up with ideas and suggestions” in a true partnership that elevates the entire property. From erosion control to safety enhancements to aesthetic beauty, No Ka Oi Landscape Services ensures Kukui Grove Center makes the perfect impression from sunrise to sunset, every day of the year.
