About our Principal

Hawaiʻi Land & Garden Works was founded by Dominic Riolo, a landscape designer, environmental artist, and craftsman whose work unites ecology, fine art, and traditional construction techniques into landscapes of enduring beauty. Educated at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design and recognized with the prestigious Peter Walker Partners Fellowship in Landscape Architecture, Dominic approaches each project as an opportunity to reveal the unique character of a place through thoughtful design and meticulous craftsmanship.

Drawing upon a background in tropical ecology, land art, and luxury landscape design, Dominic has spent his career creating landscapes that are both ecologically resilient and artistically expressive. His work encompasses every stage of the design process—from master planning and conceptual design to handcrafted stonework, planting design, custom landscape furnishings, and long-term landscape stewardship. Whether designing an intimate garden or a large estate, his philosophy remains the same: to create timeless landscapes that deepen in beauty, meaning, and connection to the land with each passing year.

Professional Highlights

  • Master of Landscape Architecture, Harvard University Graduate School of Design

  • Recipient of the Peter Walker Partners Fellowship for excellence in landscape architecture

  • Bachelor's degrees in Biological Sciences (Tropical Ecology) and Art (Distinction in Land Art) from the University of California, Santa Barbara

  • Founder and Principal of Hawaiʻi Land & Garden Works

  • President of the Hawaiʻi Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)

  • Expertise in landscape architecture, environmental art, dry-stacked stonework, ecological planting design, and custom-crafted landscape elements

  • Dedicated to creating enduring landscapes through thoughtful design, exceptional craftsmanship, and long-term stewardship

Our Services

  • Every landscape begins with understanding—the land, its history, its ecology, and the people who will inhabit it. Our master planning process reveals the underlying structure of a place, organizing circulation, gardens, gathering spaces, water systems, architecture, and ecological relationships into a unified vision that can evolve over generations.

    Rather than imposing a design upon the land, we seek to uncover its inherent character and strengthen its natural patterns. The resulting master plan serves as a living framework for phased implementation, ensuring that every future addition contributes to a landscape that feels timeless, harmonious, and deeply rooted in place.

  • Landscape is our medium. Stone, water, earth, climate, and plants become the materials from which we compose immersive environments that invite exploration, reflection, and connection.

    Each concept is developed as a site-specific work of environmental art, balancing spatial composition, craftsmanship, and ecological sensitivity. Dry-stacked stone walls, sculptural landforms, carefully curated planting communities, and custom-designed furnishings are woven together into landscapes that feel as though they have always belonged to their setting. Every project is guided by a commitment to creating places that are both emotionally resonant and enduringly functional.

  • Thoughtful design deserves thoughtful execution. Our construction documents translate artistic vision into precise technical drawings that allow craftsmen, builders, and contractors to faithfully realize every aspect of the landscape.

    From grading and drainage to intricate stone detailing, planting plans, and custom site furnishings, each drawing communicates the relationships, proportions, and materials that give the landscape its character. Careful documentation ensures that every element—from the largest landform to the smallest handcrafted detail—contributes to a cohesive and beautifully executed whole.

  • The finest landscapes are shaped through continual dialogue between design and craftsmanship. During construction, we remain actively engaged with clients, contractors, artisans, and fabricators to ensure that every detail is executed with care and fidelity to the original vision.

    Regular site observations, material reviews, and field adjustments allow the landscape to respond thoughtfully to the realities of construction while preserving its artistic integrity. This collaborative process is especially important for projects featuring handcrafted stonework, custom furnishings, and nuanced planting compositions, where subtle refinements often elevate the finished work from a well-built landscape to a lasting work of art.

  • A thoughtfully designed landscape reaches its fullest expression through attentive stewardship over time. We provide ongoing maintenance consultation to help clients preserve the beauty, ecological health, and artistic integrity of their landscapes as they mature through the seasons and across the years.

    Rather than simply maintaining appearances, our consultations focus on guiding the landscape's long-term evolution. We work with property owners and maintenance teams to advise on pruning, plant succession, soil health, irrigation, stonework preservation, and the care of custom landscape elements. Through periodic site visits and tailored recommendations, we help ensure that each landscape continues to deepen in character, resilience, and beauty—fulfilling the original design vision while responding thoughtfully to the natural rhythms of the land.

Get in Touch

If you're interested in working with us, complete the form with a few details about your project. We'll review your message and get back to you within 48 -hours.

Alternatively, you may reach us directly at either of the contact methods below.

Phone: 808-369-6643

Email: hawaiilandgarden@gmail.com