By Kirill “Kerry” Vekhov
There is a certain clarity you gain when you’ve spent nearly two decades working the same land. Since I first began my journey in Big Island landscaping in 2010, I have seen this island through every imaginable season. I’ve seen the way the landscape responds to prolonged drought in West Hawaii and how it thrives under the heavy rains of the East side. For me, landscaping has never been just a business; it is a nearly two-decade study of Hawaii Island’s unique environment.
Since 2010, my approach to this trade has been defined by a single philosophy: Landscaping without Limits. Whether dealing with raw lava rock on the Kona coast or the dense tropical growth of Hilo, I’ve always believed that every property deserves a limitless approach to landscape design, installation, and maintenance.
In 2010, I established the firm that many of you came to know as HiLandscaping and later Hawaii Landscaping. For the next thirteen years, I focused on building a reputation for uncompromising quality. We specialized in high-end residential estates and commercial properties, ensuring that every project met a standard that only owner-level oversight can provide. By the time I sold the business in 2023, we had established ourselves as a premier provider for property owners who value meticulous craftsmanship.
The Two-Year Transition (2023–2025)
Following the sale of the business in 2023, I moved on to other ventures. However, a reputation built over decades remains connected to you. Over the last two years, it became clear through conversations with former clients and industry colleagues that the firm was moving in a different direction. The hands-on, detail-oriented approach that defined the “Landscaping without Limits” philosophy had become less of a priority under new owners and management.
By the start of 205, an opportunity arose for me to reacquire certain assets associated with the former operation. I chose to return because I believe the Big Island deserves landscaping services rooted in decades of local experience. I am back in the field to reestablish and fully restore the standards I set over a decade ago through a newly formed company .
A Fresh Start as Aina Landscaping
With my return comes the formal launch of Aina Landscaping LLC. While our history on this island is long, this marks a new and essential chapter.
I want to be clear about why we chose to move forward under a new name rather than returning to the prior brand. Establishing Aina Landscaping LLC as a separate legal entity was an intentional step to move forward independently. Aina Landscaping LLC has acquired certain branding and digital assets historically associated with the prior company; however, it does not assume responsibility for prior contracts, warranties, or obligations of previous operators from 2023 to 2025.
This move ensures that the business is no longer connected to the management practices of the recent past. This launch provides a clean slate, allowing us to focus entirely on the future while honoring the standards that defined my earlier work and the work we do today. The name Aina (The Land) reflects our commitment to Mālama ʻĀina—a decades-long dedication to caring for and respecting the environments of Hawaii County.
Mastery of the Big Island’s Diverse Micro-Climates
To provide high-quality landscaping in Hawaii County, you must respect the staggering diversity of our geography. One of the primary focuses of this new chapter is to bring technical mastery and owner-level oversight back to our operations. Our island contains almost every climate zone on earth, and a generic approach to maintenance simply does not work here.
My experience in the industry since 2010 has been a continuous education in these environmental shifts:
The Arid Leeward Coast (Kona & Kohala):
In West Hawaii, we are often working on porous lava rock where water retention is the primary challenge. For high-end residential properties in these areas, we focus on custom xeriscaping. By utilizing resilient native Hawaiian plants like ‘A’ali’i and Naupaka, we create outdoor spaces that thrive in intense sun and wind. We understand the specific soil amendments needed to turn volcanic land into a sustainable garden that retains its beauty through the dry season.
The Tropical Windward Side (Hilo & Puna):
On the East side, the challenge is the relentless growth of invasive flora. The humidity and rainfall create an environment where a property can be overtaken by brush in a matter of weeks. My return to owner-level oversight means our maintenance schedules are timed with the island’s natural cycles, providing proactive care that prevents overgrowth before it starts.
Safety and Restoration: Firewise and Invasive Management
Beyond aesthetic design, my return marks a renewed focus on the safety and ecological health of Big Island properties. We are focusing our expertise on specialized services that protect homes and businesses from local environmental risks.
Firewise Landscaping & Fuel Mitigation
Fire safety is a critical concern for all of us in Hawaii County. In West Hawaii, invasive Guinea grass has become a significant hazard. It is highly flammable and acts as “ladder fuel,” potentially carrying fire from the ground to the structures on a property.
Part of our mission at Aina Landscaping is expertly clearing these invasive grasses to create defensible spaces. We focus on reducing the fuel load while maintaining the visual appeal of the property—a balance that requires professional oversight.
Clearing of Invasive Flora
Since 2010, I have seen the impact of aggressive species like Christmas Berry and Haole Koa. These plants don’t just occupy space; they colonize it, choking out property lines and native ecosystems.
We utilize specialized equipment to reclaim these areas. This process does more than just clear the land; it naturally reduces the habitats where invasive pests thrive, allowing the property’s native ecosystem to breathe again. This is where “Landscaping without Limits” truly applies—reclaiming land that many thought was lost to the overgrowth.
Elevating the Standard for Residential and Commercial Properties
For our commercial partners and high-end residential estate owners, a landscape is a major investment. When I led the company from 2010 to 2023, we treated every property as a reflection of our own reputation. I am reinstating those exact standards.
We are returning to a “high-quality” model. For our clients, this means:
- Direct Accountability: You are no longer dealing with a disconnected management office. As the original founder, I am personally involved in our project designs and quality control in the field.
- Native-First Philosophy: We prioritize native Hawaiian plants like ‘A’ali’i, Naupaka, and Pohinahina. These species are not only culturally appropriate but are the most resilient choices for our specific island conditions.
- Proactive Maintenance: We don’t wait for a property to look “bad” before we act. We anticipate the seasonal shifts in growth and rainfall, adjusting our protocols to keep your property in peak condition year-round.
Looking Forward
Reentering this industry was a decision made with over 15 years on this island in mind. I missed the work, I missed the community, and I missed the satisfaction of doing a job right the first time.
Aina Landscaping LLC is a local, owner-operated business. We are your neighbors, and we understand the responsibility of maintaining the beauty of our home.
Whether you have a high-end residential property that requires a more meticulous eye, or a commercial storefront that needs reliable, professional upkeep, I invite you to give Aina Landscaping LLC a fresh look.
We are restoring our roots and building forward with clarity, experience, and a renewed commitment to excellence.
Mahalo,
Kirill “Kerry” Vekhov
Manager & Founder, Aina Landscaping
