Award of Honor in Xeriscape

Kailua, HI---Hui o Koʻolaupoko (HOK), a community based non-profit organization working to improve ocean health by restoring the ʻāina: mauka to makai, has been honored with the 2013 Betty Crocker Landscape Award from Scenic Hawaii, Inc on June 24, 2013.    

This award honors outstanding private, professional, community and xeriscape gardeners throughout the state of Hawaiʻi. HOK received the Xeriscape Award; gardens that feature drought tolerant plants and conservation of water for their Popoiʻa Street Storm Water Retro-fit Project.

The project was funded via grants from The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and private donations.  The project improved a dirt parking lot near Kailua Beach Park and Kaʻelepulu Stream with pervious materials and native vegetation.

Pervious pavers capture storm water runoff and reduce the amount of pollution reaching the stream.  Additionally, the project improved 360 feet of stream side habitat through the installation of native plants and rain gardens to capture additional storm water and allow for infiltration before polluted water has an opportunity to enter Kaʻelepulu Stream.