LKOC Beautification Projects
Since 1948
On this page, click on the following links to find:
~ Updates on LKOC's Current Beautification Projects
~ Video of LKOC’s Beautification Projects 1948 - Present
~ Interactive Map of LKOC’s Beautification Projects 1948 - Present
~ Summary List of LKOC’s Beautification Projects 1948 - Present
~ Photos of our Beautification Projects
We invite you to also visit the following pages:
~ LKOC History: The history of LKOC since our founding in 1948
~ TOC Stewardship: Slideshows & Interactive Maps of TOC and its
Statewide Branches’ stewardship and tree planting since 1912
We are proud of our accomplishments, and grateful for the support of our community
in helping us further our efforts to Keep Kailua Clean, Green and Beautiful!
~ Updates on LKOC's Current Beautification Projects
~ Video of LKOC’s Beautification Projects 1948 - Present
~ Interactive Map of LKOC’s Beautification Projects 1948 - Present
~ Summary List of LKOC’s Beautification Projects 1948 - Present
~ Photos of our Beautification Projects
We invite you to also visit the following pages:
~ LKOC History: The history of LKOC since our founding in 1948
~ TOC Stewardship: Slideshows & Interactive Maps of TOC and its
Statewide Branches’ stewardship and tree planting since 1912
We are proud of our accomplishments, and grateful for the support of our community
in helping us further our efforts to Keep Kailua Clean, Green and Beautiful!
UPDATES ON OUR CURRENT BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS
KEOLU DRIVE TREE PLANTING - May 2025
LKOC completed a new tree planting project on Keolu Drive in Enchanted Lake, where 10 beautiful milo and silver trumpet trees were planted along an unshaded stretch where previous canopy trees had been destroyed decades ago during Hurricane Iniki.
The community event was held in coordination with the city Division of Urban Forestry (DUF), through which City Council Resolution 25-064 was approved to accept the trees as a gift from LKOC to the city.
At the event, DUF Community Forestry Program manager Navin Tagore described the process involved with this undertaking, and how community organizations such as LKOC can get involved with projects like this one. Others in attendance spoke about planting projects and initiatives being undertaken by the Outdoor Circle, the Citizen Forester Program, and Smart Trees Pacific. LKOC representatives spoke about the organizations 77-year history of planting trees in public spaces to beautify the Kailua community.
At the conclusion of the event, attendees gathered to plant two of the trees to complete the row of 10 that now graces Keolu Drive. DUF will water the trees twice weekly for the next 2 years, to ensure that they thrive.
Below is a slideshow video of the event. Enjoy!
LKOC completed a new tree planting project on Keolu Drive in Enchanted Lake, where 10 beautiful milo and silver trumpet trees were planted along an unshaded stretch where previous canopy trees had been destroyed decades ago during Hurricane Iniki.
The community event was held in coordination with the city Division of Urban Forestry (DUF), through which City Council Resolution 25-064 was approved to accept the trees as a gift from LKOC to the city.
At the event, DUF Community Forestry Program manager Navin Tagore described the process involved with this undertaking, and how community organizations such as LKOC can get involved with projects like this one. Others in attendance spoke about planting projects and initiatives being undertaken by the Outdoor Circle, the Citizen Forester Program, and Smart Trees Pacific. LKOC representatives spoke about the organizations 77-year history of planting trees in public spaces to beautify the Kailua community.
At the conclusion of the event, attendees gathered to plant two of the trees to complete the row of 10 that now graces Keolu Drive. DUF will water the trees twice weekly for the next 2 years, to ensure that they thrive.
Below is a slideshow video of the event. Enjoy!
ALALA POINT CLEANUP - June 2024
LKOC volunteers had a workday cleanup at Alala Point, at the entrance to Lanikai, to remove invasive grasses and vines that were affecting the landscaping. LKOC installed the landscaping at the multi-acre site in 1994, refurbished it in 2019, and has been responsible for its maintenance since 1999 through the WCCC Community Service Workline.
KAILUA CENTRAL TRIANGLE - 2024
In January, 2024, LKOC began providing the maintenance for the Kailua Central Triangle at the center of Kailua. It is a focal point enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, and we are proud to provide this service to the community!
KAINALU DRIVE - HECO KALAMA SUBSTATION 2023
LKOC is helping to keep Kailua COOL and GREEN!
On October 11, 2023, we planted a beach heliotrope tree on Kainalu Drive, fronting
the HECO substation at the corner of Kalama street. This is another example of LKOC’s commitment to tree planting and beautification projects throughout Kailua. A huge mahalo goes to Hawaiian Electric Company for allowing us to plant the tree, and for providing irrigation to keep it watered!
Heliotropes provide lovely shade and are low-maintenance, salt, wind and drought tolerant, with non-aggressive roots, and are perfect for Kailua’s beach oriented community.
Contractor Steve Dewald, HECO Representative Kerstan Wong, and Steve Mechler, LKOC Beautification Chair shown.
KALAMA BEACH PARK - 2022
In June 2022, LKOC renewed its Adopt-a-Park Agreement with the city to perform quarterly landscape cleanup and maintenance of the grounds at Kalama Beach Park.
As its first cleanup, in mid-June 2022, they held a workday/cleanup to tackle the maintenance and trimming back of naupaka beds on the beach side of the property. Volunteers removed invasive haole koa and vines, and the specimen spider lily plants surrounding the bed are now highlighted. They carted away truckloads of green debris, and the remaining debris piles will be removed by the city. A huge mahalo to Pali Lions for their help in LKOC’s efforts to maintain the grounds at this popular public beach park. To help in this effort, visit our Upcoming Events or Volunteer Opportunities pages for more information.
ONEAWA STREET TREE PLANTING PROJECT - 2020
LKOC embarked on a new Street Tree Planting Project in Kailua for 2020.
The area of interest is Oneawa Street, from Kawainui Street to Kuulei Road, a three block long area in downtown Kailua’s central business district. As many of you may know, in the early 2000’s, LKOC spearheaded the city’s effort in planting 21 Pink Tecoma street trees along that stretch of Oneawa, with 14 on the mauka side and 7 on the makai side. This produced an attractive arbor of trees on both sides of the street, providing much needed shade, and an inviting atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.
Of those 21 original trees, now, 20 years later, 13 have failed and been removed, and only 8 remain standing. The loss of these 13 trees leaves this central area quite barren and out of character with the adjacent well-treed Kuulei and Kailua Roads.
In keeping with our mission to follow through with our planting projects, LKOC submitted a planting proposal to the city and is happy to announce that 8 new trees, White Tecoma and Silver Trumpets, were planted by the city in August 2020!
The photo below shows a new Silver Trumpet tree in front of Jack In The Box, in 2023. It is going beautifully. Five more trees were planted on both sides of the street from Kuulei Road to Kawainui Street, although several have nit survived. We are pursuing getting them replanted. We are proud to have been a part of seeing this section of Oneawa once again restored with a bower of beautiful trees.
ALALA POINT - UPDATE 2019 - 2020
In July 2019, LKOC’s completed the refurbishment of the landscaping at Alala Point, in the upper parking lot, across the street from the Lanikai Monument overlooking Kailua Bay. The iconic monument, installed in 1926, is a simple stone pillar and was designed by Hart Wood. In the 2019 refurbishment project, we added a new lawn, new wax ficus hedging along the entire back edge, and an upgraded irrigation system. We also repaired 32 of the existing wooden bollards that encircle the parking area. As part of our project, we asked the City & County to resurface the coral parking lot and add some additional metal bollards to prevent vehicular access, which they have done.
Here’s a Kailua Calabash Facebook post from Mary Zanakis about the Alala Point Project.
https://www.facebook.com/236992487007574/posts/370758200297668?s=100004594471471&v=e&sfns=mo
The original landscaping of the entire Alala Point area, from the boat ramp to the monument, including the upper and lower parking lots on the mauka side of the road, was installed by LKOC in 1994, with proceeds from their first “I Love Kailua” Town Party, held in 1993. The landscape architect, Steve Mechler, at right below, and the landscape installer, Steve Dewald, at left, who implemented the original landscaping in 1994, have once again spearheaded this latest effort.
ALALA POINT - UPDATE 2019 - 2020
In July 2019, LKOC’s completed the refurbishment of the landscaping at Alala Point, in the upper parking lot, across the street from the Lanikai Monument overlooking Kailua Bay. The iconic monument, installed in 1926, is a simple stone pillar and was designed by Hart Wood. In the 2019 refurbishment project, we added a new lawn, new wax ficus hedging along the entire back edge, and an upgraded irrigation system. We also repaired 32 of the existing wooden bollards that encircle the parking area. As part of our project, we asked the City & County to resurface the coral parking lot and add some additional metal bollards to prevent vehicular access, which they have done.
Here’s a Kailua Calabash Facebook post from Mary Zanakis about the Alala Point Project.
https://www.facebook.com/236992487007574/posts/370758200297668?s=100004594471471&v=e&sfns=mo
The original landscaping of the entire Alala Point area, from the boat ramp to the monument, including the upper and lower parking lots on the mauka side of the road, was installed by LKOC in 1994, with proceeds from their first “I Love Kailua” Town Party, held in 1993. The landscape architect, Steve Mechler, at right below, and the landscape installer, Steve Dewald, at left, who implemented the original landscaping in 1994, have once again spearheaded this latest effort.
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Our WCCC Community Service Workline women will continue their long-standing landscape maintenance of the entire Alala Point area, under LKOC auspices. The Lanikai Association contributes regularly to pay for their lunch on the days they work at Alala. Below are before and after photos of our recent landscape renovation project, showing the beautiful new lawn.
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Alala Point Before Refurbishment 2019
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Alala Point Lawn Area After Refurbishment
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In 2020, with the arrival of COVID-19, WCCC was forced into a lockdown, and the Community Service Workline was unable to perform the landscape maintenance at Alala Point. In the interim, a small group of LKOC volunteers and community members, as well as our contractor, Steve Dewald were keeping the area free from weeds and mowed. As a result, the new plantings were doing very well. Thankfully, in mid-2021, the Workline teams were back, and have been doing a wonderful job of maintaining the landscaping of Alala Point, including the parking lot shown above, as well as the makai slopes down to water’s edge.
KALAPAWAI TRIANGLE - UPDATE 2020
Our continued commitment to the landscape maintenance of the Kalapawai Triangle (now a rotary), includes collaboration with the City on the redesign of the entire surrounding area, with additional bioswales (rain gardens) to be added on the roadway edges, to catch storm water runoff and pollutants before they reach Kailua Bay and Kaelepulu Stream. The redesign of the central rotary itself, and installation of the new landscaping along the adjacent road areas, is expected to begin in 2021. Once installed, we hope to continue are long-standing (since 2010) landscape maintenance of the area, where work is performed under LKOC auspices by Hele Mai Lawn and Garden Service.
KALAPAWAI TRIANGLE - UPDATE 2020
Our continued commitment to the landscape maintenance of the Kalapawai Triangle (now a rotary), includes collaboration with the City on the redesign of the entire surrounding area, with additional bioswales (rain gardens) to be added on the roadway edges, to catch storm water runoff and pollutants before they reach Kailua Bay and Kaelepulu Stream. The redesign of the central rotary itself, and installation of the new landscaping along the adjacent road areas, is expected to begin in 2021. Once installed, we hope to continue are long-standing (since 2010) landscape maintenance of the area, where work is performed under LKOC auspices by Hele Mai Lawn and Garden Service.
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Note that the iconic banyan that graces the triangle was planted by one of our LKOC members in 1954 (and hand-watered for years, to ensure its survival). In 1969-1970, LKOC installed landscaping around the banyan, and a commemorative stone-mounted plaque honoring the original tree planter (as shown in the photo below). LKOC also refurbished the triangle landscaping in 1978.
In 2010, LKOC re-landscaped the entire area, installing an extensive sprinkler system and plantings, and has been maintaining the triangle's beauty ever since. |
Kalapawai Triangle Commemorative Plaque Honoring Herbert Dowset
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Kalapawai Triangle and Banyan
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PALI PALMS TRIANGLE - UPDATE 2020
Since 2011, LKOC has maintained the Pali Palms traffic triangle at the end of Kalaheo Avenue. Not only did LKOC fund the design and construction of the landscaping, it currently pays for the on-going professional maintenance of the plantings, including all irrigation repair, by Hele Mai Lawn and Garden Service.
Before and After Views of Pali Palms Triangle Landscaping Project
In August 2020, LKOC refurbished the plantings in the planter bed, to include 100 new bromeliads of three varieties, donated by our members, and installed by Hele Mai, as shown in the photo below.
Pali Palms Triangle Bromeliads Planted 2020
KAILUA ROAD MEDIAN - UPDATE 2021
Under LKOC auspices, the WCCC Community Service Workline women continue their long-standing (since 1999) landscape maintenance of the Kailua Road median at the entrance to Kailua. Note that LKOC installed the Loulu Palms and plantings there in the early 2000’s.
In 2020, with the arrival of COVID-19, WCCC was forced into a lockdown, and was unable to perform this landscape maintenance along Kailua Road. Thankfully, in mid-2021, the Workline teams were back and the area is once again being maintained regularly.
KAILUA ROAD MEDIAN - UPDATE 2021
Under LKOC auspices, the WCCC Community Service Workline women continue their long-standing (since 1999) landscape maintenance of the Kailua Road median at the entrance to Kailua. Note that LKOC installed the Loulu Palms and plantings there in the early 2000’s.
In 2020, with the arrival of COVID-19, WCCC was forced into a lockdown, and was unable to perform this landscape maintenance along Kailua Road. Thankfully, in mid-2021, the Workline teams were back and the area is once again being maintained regularly.
Enjoy this video of our LKOC Planting Projects over the years!
LKOC BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT SITE MAP
Here’s a map showing highlights of
LKOC’s Beautification Project Sites in Kailua over the years.
Refer to Map Key color-coded text boxes below the map
for numbered site description details.
Note:
Click anywhere in the map image shown below to activate an INTERACTIVE MAP,
where descriptive images of site locations will be displayed as you move
around the map.
Here’s a map showing highlights of
LKOC’s Beautification Project Sites in Kailua over the years.
Refer to Map Key color-coded text boxes below the map
for numbered site description details.
Note:
Click anywhere in the map image shown below to activate an INTERACTIVE MAP,
where descriptive images of site locations will be displayed as you move
around the map.
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Parks
Schools:
Downtown Kailua and Surrounding Neighborhood Street Trees Planted
Major Boulevards and Traffic Triangles
Public Facilities:
Private Facilities:
In collaboration with DOT, City and County, and State entities.
Funding through private donations, foundations, and fundraising campaigns.
Our efforts involved surveying, designing, spearheading installation, performing maintenance.
Street Tree Plant Materials came from C&C list of acceptable street trees and native plants from their Waipio nursery.
Sustainability: LKOC contracted with Board of Water Supply to pay on-going water bills on several projects.
- Aikahi Shopping Center Park (at corner of Kaneohe Bay Drive and Mokapu) Monkey Pods, Coconut Palms, Kalamona (1980)
- Pohakupu Park: Perimeter royal palms, interior pathways (landscape design, irrigation, installation). (1988,1991,1998).
- Kaimake Loop Park: Hawaiian Kou trees (landscape design, installation) (2002)
- Kailua District Park: Monkey Pods (installation) (1983-1984)
- Kalama Beach Park Boettcher Estate: Professionally maintained trees (1985); Naupaka (landscape design, installation) (1999); and quarterly maintenance of property grounds (2016-present).
- Kaha Park Hawaiian Garden: maintenance (2003-2016)
- Alala Point (Lanikai Beach Park): Silver Buttonwood, Coconut Palms (landscaping, irrigation, installation (1994); Landscaping refurbishment (2019); (on-going landscape maintenance 1999-present).
Schools:
- Kailua School grounds (1950’s)
- Lanikai and Kailua Elementary school grounds: Monkey Pods (installation). (2005)
- Kailua Intermediate School: Royal Poinciana, Monkey Pods (installation). (2002)
Downtown Kailua and Surrounding Neighborhood Street Trees Planted
- Kailua Heights Subdivision: Royal Poincianas. (1954)
- Kuulei Road: Kamani trees (landscape design, installation). (1953) (1973)
- Kainalu Drive from fire station to Kailua Road: Royal Poincianas (1954, 2009)
- Central Kailua East: Hamakua, Hekili, and Hahani Streets: Rainbow Shower and Pink Tecoma (surveyed, marked sites, installation). (2000-2003)
- Central Kailua West: Kainehe, Hoolai, Aulike, Maluniu, Kihapai, Uluniu, Kailua Road and Kuulei Road: Elaeodendron, Hawaiian Kou, Tecoma, Kamani (surveyed, marked sites, installation). (167 trees planted in 1957, dozens in 2000-2003)
- Oneawa Street: Silver Trumpet and White Tecoma (2020)
Major Boulevards and Traffic Triangles
- Mokapu Blvd: Oneawa to KMCAS back gate: Coconut trees (1967); Narra, Rainbow Shower, Monkey Pod, Palms (purchase and installation) (1982-1985, and 2010).
- Kainui Drive: Instrumental in planting the first coconut palms (1957)
- Kailua Corridor Phase I, II: Oneawa to Waimanalo Junction: trees, palms, naupaka (landscape design, installation and on-going maintenance of Phase II from above dike road to Hamakua Drive 2000-present).
- Kailua Corridor Phase III: Kalanianaole east from Waimanalo Junction: Luolu palms (purchase, installation). (2005)
- Kalanianaole/Kailua Road: Hibiscus plantings. (1950's, 2003)
- Kailua Central Triangle: Planting and irrigation installation and maintenance (1950’s, 1990's - 2005); Exceptionalized 3 Chinese Banyans and one Morton Bay Fig (1990’s).
- Pali Palms Triangle: Coconuts palms, croton, lauae (landscape design, irrigation, installation (2011)) (on-going maintenance 2011-present).
- Kalapawai Triangle: Banyan planted 1954, Landscape design and installation (1969-1970); Re-landscape design, irrigation, installation (2010) (on-going maintenance 2010-present).
Public Facilities:
- Kailua Library parking lot plantings and trees (landscape design, installation, 1991).
- Kailua Library courtyard (partnered with Friends of Kailua Library, landscape design, installation 2002)
- Kailua Fire Station: Royal Poincianas (1954), Hong Kong Orchid trees (installation). (1999)
- Kailua Post Office: plantings (installation). (2010)
- Kailua Sewer Lift Station: Kainehe/Kailua Road: Coconut palms (installation).
- Kailua public parking lot (Kailua Professional Buildings): Silver Trumpet trees (installation, 2000)
- Women's Community Correctional Center Exceptional Monkey Pods (on-going maintenance 2004-present).
- Aikahi Wastewater Plant: Wili Wili, Mock Orange (landscape design, installation). (2001)
- Kailua Recreation Center parking lot: Loulu palms, Shower, Autograph trees (landscape design, installation, (2008); mulching (2014)).
Private Facilities:
- Castle Hospital: Monkey Pod (installation). (1999)
In collaboration with DOT, City and County, and State entities.
Funding through private donations, foundations, and fundraising campaigns.
Our efforts involved surveying, designing, spearheading installation, performing maintenance.
Street Tree Plant Materials came from C&C list of acceptable street trees and native plants from their Waipio nursery.
Sustainability: LKOC contracted with Board of Water Supply to pay on-going water bills on several projects.
Visit our History page for more information on these projects.
In 2007, in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu, Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle took on the project of replanting the median on Mokapu Road between North Kalaheo Avenue and Marine Corp Base Hawaii. (Note that the mauka portion of Mokapu Boulevard from North Kalaheo Avenue to Oneawa Street is a state road, not under C&C jurisdiction.) The makai median had been planted with wiliwili trees, but those beautiful trees were devastated by the gall wasp introduced to Hawaii. LKOC funded the new trees (over $15,000), and C&C donated use of their equipment and manpower to plant them. Now, shower trees adorn both ends of the planting, and narra trees fill the center sections. We look forward to driving in the shade of these trees as they grow and fill out to create a canopy where the wiliwili trees once stood. Note also that LKOC has been involved with planting trees along the entire Mokapu Boulevard/Mokapu Road median since 1967!
