Limahuli Garden & Preserve — Flood Recovery
Work:
Design-Build
Location: Limahuli Garden & Preserve, Ha’ena, Kaua’i
Date: Project completed, April 2019.
Project Description:
Following the devastating impact of a record-breaking 49.69 inches of rainfall within 24 hours—the most significant rainfall event in U.S. history—a segment of stream bank within Limahuli Garden & Preserve was reconstructed after being washed away in the flooding. The design and build focused on creating a space that serves visitors while preserving the memory of the 100-year flood and integrating measures for future stormwater management and climate resilience.
This effort resulted in a resilient and sustainable site that honors the past while embracing a thriving and adaptable future.
Work:
Design-Build
Location: Limahuli Garden & Preserve, Ha’ena, Kaua’i
Date: Project completed, April 2019.
Project Description:
Following the devastating impact of a record-breaking 49.69 inches of rainfall within 24 hours—the most significant rainfall event in U.S. history—a segment of stream bank within Limahuli Garden & Preserve was reconstructed after being washed away in the flooding. The design and build focused on creating a space that serves visitors while preserving the memory of the 100-year flood and integrating measures for future stormwater management and climate resilience.
This effort resulted in a resilient and sustainable site that honors the past while embracing a thriving and adaptable future.
After an unprecedented rainfall event that brought 49.69 inches of rain to Kauaʻi’s north shore within 24 hours, the landscapes of Haʻena, Wainiha, and Limahuli Valley were profoundly reshaped. Rivers changed course, infrastructure was overwhelmed, and the devastation marked a historic moment of natural force in the region.
Within Limahuli Garden, a site celebrated for its deep connection to Kauaʻi’s ecological and cultural heritage, the storm left behind significant devastation. This site was chosen as the focal point for restoration, not just to rebuild what was lost but to create a place that would honor the past while offering lessons for the future.
The restored site now memorializes the event while embodying resilience through the thoughtful integration of traditional building techniques, onsite materials and native flora. Each element was designed to harmonize with the Garden’s ethos, reflecting the strength of the land and its capacity for renewal.
Within Limahuli Garden, a site celebrated for its deep connection to Kauaʻi’s ecological and cultural heritage, the storm left behind significant devastation. This site was chosen as the focal point for restoration, not just to rebuild what was lost but to create a place that would honor the past while offering lessons for the future.
The restored site now memorializes the event while embodying resilience through the thoughtful integration of traditional building techniques, onsite materials and native flora. Each element was designed to harmonize with the Garden’s ethos, reflecting the strength of the land and its capacity for renewal.
