NU’UANU FAMILY
RESIDENCE
NU’UANU, HAWAII
It was unusual to
meet clients who wanted a Native Hawaiian Garden but this Nu’uanu family
were just the clients with that request. They had wanted to revitalize
their landscape and they wanted a place for the family to gather in
their own backyard. With a residence located on the boundary of Oahu
Country Club’s 4th hole, this Nu’uanu Family is fortunate to
look out to the lush, green, golf course. A serpentine seat wall was
tested and then constructed at just the right height to see the golfers
make or not make their putts.
A trellis was built
over the new seat wall. The trellis provided shade and created a nice
play of shadows on the new patio area. A layering of Native Hawaiian
Kukui Nut Trees, Hawaiian Hapu’u Tree Ferns, ‘Akia and Kupukupu Ferns
provided lush foliage to help screen the neighbors who look right down
on this Nu’uanu backyard. The rustling of the Kukui Nut Tree leaves is
a soothing sound that muffles the noise of the neighbors nearby. A
grove of Bananas help to provide the family with a screen for additional
privacy from the Ewa neighbors.
The garden was also
designed to be sustainable. In addition to the fruit of the Banana,
edible Meyers and Tangerine Citrus Trees were planted as well as an herb
and a vegetable garden which are located right outside of the living
room sliding glass door for ease of access.
Native Hawaiian
plants include the ‘Uki uki plant which was used in the Hawaiian culture
for its blue dye and the Native Alahe’e which grew into a handsome
tree. Other Native plants include the Kupukupu Fern, a Native
‘Awikiwiki vine on the trellis, Native Naio, ‘Ohia Lehua, Mountain
Naupaka, ‘A’ali’i, Ma’o, ‘Ilima, White Hibiscus, Kulu’i and
Pa’u-o-hi’iaka which graced the landscape.
Many flowering
plants were also planted including flowering Hanging Heliconias,
stunning Camellias, fragrant Gardenias and White Gingers, and vibrant
Red Gingers to add color and to provide cut flowers for their home.
This Nu’uanu family
who once had little privacy from their neighbors on both the Ewa and
Mauka side of them now enjoy the intimacy of their own Native and
sustainable landscape in a peaceful setting as they enjoy their garden
and occasionally sit to watch the golfers play.
The Nu'uanu Family Residence was recognized by Scenic Hawaii for a Betty
Crocker Landscape Award of Honor in 2009.
Hawaiian Plants
newly planted at the Nu’uanu Family Garden:
‘A’ali’i
‘Akia
Alahe’e Nanu
Kukui Nut Tree ‘Ohi’a
Pa’u-o-hi’iaka ‘Ilima
papa
Pohinahina
Koki’o ke’o ke’o
Kulu’i
‘Uki’uki
Kupukupu
Native White
Hibiscus
Naio
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