From Greg Culver, President, Pua Lani Landscape Design, Inc.

“Pua Lani Landscape Design, Inc. is a local family-owned small business that has been operating in Kailua and Waimanalo since 1981. Integrity is at the forefront of everything we do.  We have worked hard over the years to cultivate a trusting relationship with our community as a company that is honest and culturally responsible.  Every member of our team works in the field on a daily basis and has the utmost respect for the delicate ecological balance that makes our island home so special.  

Over the last decade there has been an explosion in the numbers of invasive species that have been let into the state and allowed to establish themselves, such as Little Fire Ant (LFA) and the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. These pests have become an increasing threat to the environment and our way of life. We treat our property and job sites for these threats on a regular basis using the latest recommended measures and do so at a significant financial cost to the company. We do it because it is important to us to ensure that these pests are never, ever, spread through work that we do or plants that we raise.  

Pua Lani does not import plants from off-Island or sell plants to the general public, other landscapers or nurseries.  Our plants are sourced from seeds/cuttings or other on-island nurseries.  Plants are specifically treated for LFA prior to planting and again when planting is completed. We have never once had a client report LFA on their property as a result of our work. 

We care deeply about our home, our stewardship and our reputation. Pua Lani was recently named in a public Senate hearing, using our company as a scapegoat to distract from the State’s inability to manage LFA on a statewide basis. The Department of Agriculture (DOA) has absolutely no affirmative evidence connecting Pua Lani to LFA at the Punahou Carnival or at any other time or location, period. 

On the contrary - we work to eliminate pests like LFA when we find them in local plants we purchase from other nurseries on Oahu, or at job sites that have infestations from neighboring properties. It takes tremendous will and stamina to eliminate pests like LFA. 

We are happy to welcome the press, DOA or any interested legislators to our Waimanalo nursery, to see for themselves how we work and what measures we consistently use to ensure LFA infestations do not impact our plants or our job sites."