Behind every entrepreneur there is a story. Often times the story begins at a very young age. Here is my story – the story of Aloha Landscaping

Nineteen Sixty

This is the year my brother Ron and I took the first of many trips to our grandparents home in Honolulu, Hawaii.  We were too young to know it, but we were already being indoctrinated into the world of gardening and landscaping.  We spent countless hours running around the hot house and helping my grandma and grandpa in their yard and with their orchid collection.  My grandfather was especially fond of gardening and orchid cultivation. In addition to serving as Vice President of Operations for Andrade, Inc., a legendary men’s and women’s clothing store chain in the Hawaiian Islands, my grandfather was known as the “Orchid Man of Honolulu.” He loved relaxing in his greenhouse tending to his exotic orchid cultivars. 

During our summer and winter visits to Honolulu growing up, we marveled at the work he and my grandmother would do in their green house and throughout the yard.   To them it wasn’t work, it was exciting and fun.  As second generation Japanese immigrants, sweating and laboring was a part of life – not something to avoid.  There, overlooking downtown Honolulu and the Pacific, I began to take an interest in gardening and landscaping. Over the years, I started to look forward to the lichee tree pruning and yard grading and began to see why my grandparents loved working the earth so much.  I was being drawn into the “Spirit of Aloha.”

Nineteen Eighty

During my undergraduate and graduate school days it never dawned on me that I should formally pursue landscaping as a career. I was swept up in the challenges facing organizations and the role an industrial psychologist could play in that arena. Oddly enough, while attending San Jose State University in San Jose, California I spent my summers painting and landscaping under the banner, “Aloha Landscaping and Painting.”

After I completed my Masters Degree I spent 15 years managing research, training, and consulting groups at Unisys, Lockheed Martin, and Northwest Airlines and taught statistics at St. Mary’s University. However, I couldn’t leave my passion alone. During the summers I lead a dual life and tackled 5-10 commercial/residential landscaping projects every year.

Nineteen Ninety

Finally, in 1997 something strange happened. I went to lunch with my dad and asked him what he thought I should be doing with my life. Without hesitation he said he always saw me with a briefcase in one hand and a pair of work gloves in the other. Needless to say I listened to his advice and took the plunge. I left my position managing all the Flight Attendant training at Northwest Airlines and began to pursue growing Aloha Landscaping, Inc. My vision has always been to pursue cutting edge projects that push the limits of known technologies.

Two Thousand

Well, here I am doing the kind of work I always knew I would love to tackle. Along the way, I’ve met great people and created amazing relationships. Most of all, I feel I’ve found my calling. Who says dreams don’t come true.

Two Thousand and Eight

The story continues as Aloha Landscaping becomes one of the leading green roof design/build companies. Leading the charge is a new addition to our full-time staff – my son Jake. Jake recently graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Business and is currently completing his MBA. He understands the process of of innovation and is working to bring several new green roof products and services to life. Most importantly, he is learning about the “Spirit of Aloha” and why I love what I do so much. In addition to green roof leadership, we are also becoming a leader in the field of zoo exhibits. Senior project manager, Jon Darsow is helping to develop this aspect of our business. Jon worked for over a year helping to bring the award winning “Russia’s Grizzly Coast” to life in June 2008.