A Complete Estate Landscape Renovation

In the Heart of Kona Town

Completed estate landscape renovation in Kailua-Kona with restored lava rock walls, new plantings, and stamped concrete driveway at the ohana house.

Aina Landscaping recently completed a full-property landscape renovation at a quarter-acre beachfront estate in the heart of Kona town, on Hawaii’s Big Island. The project included restored lava rock walls, all-new plantings and irrigation, a new stamped concrete driveway, underground drainage, shoreline stabilization, and a custom-built flagpole. Every square foot between the street and the ocean was transformed. Here’s how our Kona landscaping team did it.

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The Property: Two Homes, One Vision, Zero Wasted Space

This waterfront property sits right in Kona town, running from the road to the water’s edge. Two homes share the lot, a main house and an ohana house, with a greenhouse tucked along one side. At a quarter acre, every part of the landscape is visible from somewhere. On a property this size, there is nowhere for problems to hide.

The biggest problem was water. A large volume of runoff flowed down across the lot, and the landscape had no way to manage it. Beyond that, the property was simply ready for a fresh start.

The homeowner’s vision was to start over and do it right: take the landscape down to bare ground and rebuild every system, from the hardscape and plantings to the water coming in and the water going out.

What Did The Full-Property Landscape Renovation Include?

Excavation and site work — With the property stripped, we supported the excavation for new water lines to both buildings while new sewer lines were run, so everything below ground was finished before anything went on top of it.
Underground drainage — A significant volume of water was flowing down across this property. We installed underground drain lines to capture and redirect that runoff before it could reach the homes or wash out the new landscape.
Lava rock wall restoration — The estate’s existing lava rock walls were cleaned up, repaired, and restored section by section, preserving the traditional Kona stonework that frames the property.
New driveway and concrete — A stamped concrete driveway and courtyard replaced the old surfaces, and new sensors were installed for the entry gates as part of the work.
All-new irrigation — sized for the completely new planting plan across the entire quarter acre.
Plantings throughout — Every old plant came out. A full palette of tropical plantings went in, set in beds finished with lava rock and cinders. Staircase repairs at the homes.
Staircase repairs — at the homes.
Shoreline stabilization — On the beach side, waves had been washing the sand away, so we placed rock to hold the sand in and added plantings along the back.

Before photo of a Kailua-Kona estate during full landscape renovation, with a mini excavator and topsoil piles between the main house and ohana house.

The same Kailua-Kona property after renovation, with a stamped concrete driveway, new lawn, lava rock planter beds, and flagpole between the main house and ohana house.

The before and after from the main house stairs tells the whole story.

What was bare dirt, equipment, and material piles became a stamped concrete courtyard framed by lawn, layered planting beds, and restored lava rock walls, with the ohana house sitting at the center of it like it was always meant to.

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Rebuilding From the Ground Up

Renovations on this scale succeed or fail below the surface. Because the property was stripped to bare ground, we had a rare opportunity: every underground system could be placed exactly where it belonged, with nothing built on top until the water, both supply and runoff, was fully handled.

That’s why drainage came first. Underground drains now intercept the water that used to flow down across the lot, protecting the foundations, the new driveway, and every planting bed we installed afterward.

Drainage pipe and materials staged at the main house entry during a Big Island landscape renovation in Kailua-Kona.

Finished main house entry in Kailua-Kona with lava rock planter beds, tropical plantings, and stamped concrete driveway.

With the infrastructure in, the rock work followed. Lava rock walls are a signature of Kona properties, and this estate’s stonework deserved to be preserved.

Our crew cleaned up, repaired, and restored the existing walls across the property, keeping the character of the original masonry intact while making it sound for decades to come.

Graded dirt corridor between the ohana house and hedge line before pathway installation, Kailua-Kona.

Finished concrete pathway to the ocean with a lava rock planter bed and new tropical plantings, Kailua-Kona.

Concrete rubble inside a lava rock walled garden before clean-up and landscaping,

The same walled garden after renovation with a circular lawn, new trees, and colorful tropical plantings against the restored lava rock wall.

Then came the plantings: the entire property at once. Ti plants, crotons, ornamental grasses, plumeria, and layered tropical beds finished with black cinders, all supported by the new irrigation system.

Bare dirt and tools beside the ohana house before turf and flowerbed installation at a beachfront Kailua-Kona estate.

New turf and layered flowerbed beside the ohana house with the American flag and Pacific Ocean in the background, Kailua-Kona.

How We Built a Custom Flagpole on the Big Island

Every property has a jewel, and on this one it started with a dream. Literally. The homeowner told us she had dreamed of a flagpole on her property, and asked if we could pull it off.

We could. We sourced a metal utility post and had it custom-welded with all of the rigging hardware, topped with a custom-fabricated cross. In addition, we built a concrete base, painted the pole with automotive paint, brought it in by forklift, and set it upright at the center of the property.

Now the flag flies over the courtyard, a one-of-a-kind centerpiece that no catalog could have delivered.

Custom-built flagpole flying the American flag above a lava rock planter at a renovated Kona town estate.

The Final Result

From the street gate to the sand, this quarter-acre Kona town estate is now one continuous, finished landscape: restored lava rock walls, a stamped concrete courtyard, layered tropical plantings on new irrigation, dry ground where water once ran, and a flag flying at the center of it all. Both the main house and the ohana house now sit in a landscape that finally matches them.

It’s the kind of project that shows what our team means by complete: excavation, drainage, stonework restoration, concrete, irrigation, planting, and the finishing details, all handled by one crew from start to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a full landscape renovation cost on the Big Island?

Every property is different. Scope, access, rock work, drainage needs, and plant selection all drive the number. That’s why we start with a free on-site consultation and a detailed written estimate, so you know exactly what your project involves before any work begins.

Does Aina Landscaping handle drainage and excavation, or just planting?

Both, and everything in between. Our crew handles excavation, underground drainage, rock wall work, concrete, irrigation, and planting as one continuous project, so nothing gets lost between contractors.

Can you repair and restore lava rock walls?

Yes. Lava rock wall restoration is one of our specialties. On this project we cleaned up and repaired the estate’s existing walls throughout the property, preserving the original Kona stonework. We also build new rock and retaining walls when a project calls for them.

Do you coordinate with other contractors on large projects?

Yes. On this renovation, we supported the excavation for new water lines while another contractor ran new sewer lines, and we installed new gate sensors as part of the driveway work. Sequencing trades correctly is part of how a big project stays on track.

Can you build custom features like flagpoles?

We can. The custom flagpole on this property was fabricated from a metal utility post with welded rigging hardware and a custom cross, then set on a concrete base. If you can describe it, our crew can usually find a way to build it.

What areas does Aina Landscaping serve?

We serve Kailua-Kona and the surrounding Big Island communities, from beachfront estates in town to properties up mauka.

Landscaping Without Limits

Ready for a Renovation Like This One?

Whether your property needs a refresh or a complete ground-up renovation like this one, Aina Landscaping brings the crew, the equipment, and the craftsmanship to make it happen.

We’re rated ★ 4.2 across 20+ Google reviews from Kona homeowners

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or call (808) 333-1100 — we call back, generally within an hour

Aina-Landscaping offers top-tier residential and commercial landscape services in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. From lawn care and fertilizing to clean-ups and weed control, we’re here to transform your outdoor spaces. Experience “Landscaping Without Limits” on the Big Island today!

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