Westin Maui Landscaping

I really do wish I had more time, money and resources on hand when I travel to the islands. I meet such interesting people who love to share their passions. On this particular trip, I met up with Duane Sparkman, landscape manager at the Westin Maui Resort and Spa in Maui. He works with his landscaping team to do their best ensure the coral reefs of the nearby Ka’anapali Beach are protected and the water quality is as good as it can be. Since taking over his position, he has created a self-guided/guided botanical tour, built a ‘green’ wall and figured out how to do a puffy word ‘WESTIN’ made out of sand, covered in grass as part of the resort’s beach walk features. Duane is currently involved in an internship program managed by the State of Hawaii Department as part of the Education Work Based Learning Program. He uses compost instead of chemicals, is building rain gardens and designing the landscape to catch storm water, and is preparing the hotel to use recycled water on their landscape. “Living on the Hawaiian islands,” he says, “we realize the importance of reducing our carbon print as well as being part of the efforts to preserve and prevent endangered species from disappearing.”

Here are a few videos I made when I took his botanical tour.

Sustainable landscaping efforts at the Westin Maui

Hawaiian Tree Fern, used for embalming mummies and much more.

Ti Plant, a very significant plant in the Hawaiian Culture and the first source of alcohol.

Traveler’s Tree, is actually a giant bird of paradise.

NauPaka plant… and it’s tie to Pele’s jealousy

Hala Plant Lau = leaf… most Hawaiian tattoos show the lauhala basket weave design.


Mimi Towle

Mimi Towle has been the editor of Marin Magazine for over a decade. She lived with her family in Sycamore Park and Strawberry and thoroughly enjoyed raising two daughters in the mayhem of Marin’s youth sports; soccer, swim, volleyball, ballet, hip hop, gymnastics and many many hours spent at Miwok Stables. Her community involvements include volunteering at her daughter’s schools, coaching soccer and volleyball (glorified snack mom), being on the board of both Richardson Bay Audubon Center. Currently residing on a floating home in Sausalito, she enjoys all water activity, including learning how to steer a 6-person canoe for the Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club. Born and raised in Hawaii, her fondness for the islands has on occasion made its way into the pages of the magazine.