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🌿 Landscaping Rules/Native Plants

Ewa Gentry vs Urban Honolulu

How do native plants rules compare between Ewa Gentry, HI and Urban Honolulu, HI?

Ewa Gentry and Urban Honolulu have similar restriction levels.

Ewa Gentry, HI

Honolulu County

Few Restrictions

Ewa Gentry landscape designs may substitute native Hawaiian species for standard street trees under LUO Sec. 21-4.70; no mandatory native-only rule applies.

View full Ewa Gentry rules β†’

Urban Honolulu, HI

Honolulu County

Few Restrictions

Urban Honolulu allows native Hawaiian species as substitutions under LUO Sec. 21-4.70 but does not require native-only landscaping, with voluntary xeriscape guidance used in Kakaako and downtown streetscapes.

View full Urban Honolulu rules β†’

Key Facts Comparison

FactEwa GentryUrban Honolulu
CodeLUO Sec. 21-4.70-
MandateNone for natives-
Climate fitDry leeward plain-
GuidanceBWS Xeriscape ProgramBWS Xeriscape Program
Code section-LUO Sec. 21-4.70
Native mandate-None
Substitution allowed-Yes
Common in-Kakaako streetscapes

Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.

Ewa Gentry FAQ

Can I replace my Ewa Gentry lawn with natives?

Yes. Private yards face no native mandate but also no ban. Natives like aalii and ilima thrive on the dry Ewa Plain and reduce irrigation under BWS shortage rules.

Do natives count as landscaping under LUO?

Yes. LUO Sec. 21-4.70 allows native species as substitutes for standard street trees and accepts them toward landscape area requirements for Gentry projects.

Urban Honolulu FAQ

Does urban Honolulu require native plants downtown?

No. LUO Sec. 21-4.70 permits native Hawaiian species as landscape substitutions but does not require them citywide. Kakaako master plans encourage native use voluntarily.

Can condo associations mandate native-only plantings?

Yes, HOAs and condo boards may set stricter plant lists for common areas; the city does not preempt those internal rules so long as LUO landscape minimums are met.

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