Christian de Quevedo, JD/MBA ’21, founded Lē‘ahi Landscaping after identifying a disconnect between the importance of Hawai‘i’s built environments and the standards of the industry serving them. Landscapes shape some of the state’s most visible and valuable spaces, yet the work behind them is often noisy, emissions-heavy and unreliable.
In Hawai‘i’s unique setting, Lē‘ahi takes a site-specific approach to sustainability and land stewardship at residential and commercial sites. Using drone mapping and environmental modeling, the team evaluates sun exposure, wind, drainage and soil conditions before design begins. This leads to smarter decisions and fewer unnecessary inputs. As climate pressures and wildfire risks increase, resilience guides the work — prioritizing landscapes that are environmentally appropriate, safer over time and that deliver value to property owners.
“I couldn’t find a service that matched the standards expected in other professional sectors, so I set out to build one.”
— Christian de Quevedo, JD/MBA ’21
As the company grew, plant sourcing became an obstacle affecting budgets, schedules and long-term performance. That gap led to the launch of Lē‘ahi Nurseries, allowing plants to be grown specifically for projects well in advance. Together, the two businesses operate as an integrated system, reducing uncertainty and allowing Lē‘ahi to take responsibility for outcomes rather than passing problems down the line.
A defining principle of de Quevedo’s entrepreneurial journey has been adaptation. He believes Hawai‘i businesses can no longer rely on geographic isolation or outdated practices. He says local companies are now measured against national and global standards. While his law degree shaped his analytical approach, he credits his MBA program with giving him the tools to act, scale and execute and says that his Shidler experience reinforced systems thinking, disciplined operations and long-term value creation.
That mindset is reflected in Lē‘ahi’s growth, including a highly visible, confidential project near Ala Moana that de Quevedo describes as a milestone in trust and complexity. Looking ahead, he recently launched a real estate company called Hyperion Realty.
He also emphasizes that none of Lē‘ahi’s success would be possible without Kaimalu Stanich, his business partner, close friend and a graduate of UH Mānoa’s School of Architecture, or without the Lē‘ahi team. Since founding the company, all profits have been reinvested into growth, systems and employees, reflecting a belief that long-term success begins with investing in people.
