MEA KANU (Canoe PLANT) LANDSCAPE on the slopes of Lēʻahi

CULINARY INSTITUTE OF THE PACIFIC

Waikīkī, Oʻahu · 10 acres · State / Civic · Built 2017

Set on the slopes of Lēʻahi (Diamond Head), the Culinary Institute of the Pacific brings culinary education outdoors through a landscape for cultivation, gathering, and hands-on learning. Our team contributed from early planning through construction documentation, working with the community and design team to preserve large existing trees and restore disturbed areas with native Hawaiian grasses, groundcovers, and adapted species suited to the site’s dry conditions.

Xeriscape planting and a rain garden support water conservation and site restoration. Food garden plots allow students to grow ingredients for teaching kitchens, while an imu, amphitheater, and gathering spaces connect food, culture, and community. Pedestrian circulation and accessibility were central considerations across the sloping campus. A welcoming pedestrian allée extends from the Diamond Head Road entrance, connecting campus destinations with specimen and accent trees, native planting, and distinctive paving with plant imprints that add texture and interest along the route.

CERTIFICATIONS, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITIONS

2024 Hawaii ASLA Award of Excellence 
 LEED Gold Certification 
2020 Building Industry and Construction Award for New Commercial