Kyle Buel

OPERATIONS MANAGER 

Kyle has always enjoyed being outdoors. His passion for the Earth was cultivated while growing up on his grandfather's ranch on the Oregon coast, which in turn fueled his career in the Oregon landscape industry. After moving to Hawaii, he fell in love with the native plants and landscapes the islands had to offer. Kyle brings to his role extensive experience and a continued passion for Oahu’s native vegetation and unique landscaping needs.

Today, Kyle ensures that Hapa Landscaping’s promise of unparalleled craftsmanship and service are ingrained in company’s work culture on a day to day basis. "The absolute beauty of the plants here in Hawaii keep my passion for this work alive," says Kyle. "Helping to create and keep healthy the small slice of paraside we create for our clients is a true pleasure."

Kyle enjoys the beauty of Hawaii by surfing, kayaking, hiking and sharing all of these with family and friends.

Ace Nash

SUPERVISOR, PROJECTS & INSTALLATION 

Ace began landscaping in 2012 as a way to help with his tuition as a Secondary Education major at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. He soon realized that his true passion was the great outdoors and elected to change his major. Ace received his Bachelor’s degree in Tropical Plant and Social Science with a focus in Plant Production and Management in December 2015. He has been working for two and a half years as an irrigation technician and supervisor for the Projects and Installation division of Hapa Landscaping. In his free time, he goes skating and enjoys the beach with his dog.

Makana Wright

SUPERVISOR, MAINteNaNCE 

Makana was born and raised in Waimanalo and graduated from Kailua High School in 2010.  He attended Windward Community College, taking classes in wood-working and native plants while employed  as a carpenter. Always a fan of working outdoors, Makana was eventually drawn to the landscaping industry. Makana worked as an irrigation technician and project supervisor with Hapa Landscaping for two years before becoming a maintenance supervisor, working with the team to ensure the highest quality of service for Hapa’s valued clientele. When Makana is not at work, he can be found body boarding at Sandys or in the kitchen.

Kory Buel

SUPERVISOR, ENVIRONMENTAL & TREE SERVICES

Kory’s career in landscape maintenance began in 2005, working with his brother to provide superior yard maintenance service to homes in Oregon. Always passionate about the great outdoors and eager to try new things, Kory took a leap of faith and moved to Oahu. Kory now utilizes his vast experience as the supervisor for the Environmental & Tree Service division of Hapa Landscaping. “Trees,” Kory says, “have always been my passion. My grandpa was a logger his entire life. I idolized him growing up, so naturally I was drawn to trees as a career. I now have the opportunity to work with the amazing flora and fauna of Hawaii and I couldn't be happier!” In his free time, Kory enjoys water sports, skateboarding, and going out to see the music and culture that Hawaii has to offer.

Brant Brown

Co-Owner / Business Development

Brant co-founded Hapa Landscaping in 2013 with his business partner, Santiago Montone. He currently oversees the daily operations of the Landscape Maintenance department (his passion for landscaping has led to numerous classes in landscape, irrigation, drainage and pest control) as well as business development for the company, including new customer sourcing, B2B and outside sales. 

“I love the transformative nature of landscape maintenance—seeing properties evolve into an oasis for their owners—and the relationships I'm able to build with my clients as a result,” says Brown. “Going the extra mile to not only meet but exceed the needs of my clients is my first priority.”

Brant moved to Hawaii in 2001 after graduating from Indiana Tech University with a degree in Business. He has been happily married for 8 years and has a 1 year old son, Hudson. In his free time, Brant enjoys cooking, golfing, surfing and spending time with his family and friends.

Santiago Montone

Co-Owner / Project Development

Santiago, co-Founder of Hapa Landscaping, discovered his passion for landscape design and plant care while tending to his family farm in La Plata, Argentina. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hotel Management, Santi moved to Hawaii (by way of Barcelona, Spain) and began to develop his skills in landscape design, native Hawaiian and tropical plants, irrigation, pest control and outdoor lighting.

Today, Santiago oversees the Landscape Design and Installation team for Hapa Landscaping. “I have a very real passion for landscape design and the creative process,” says Montone. “Helping my clients transform their landscape dreams into reality is what drives me.” 

Santiago and his beautiful wife, Kelly, have been married for 7 years. They enjoy all things having to do with the outdoors and ocean and are energized when spending time with their family and friends.

Victor Bovino Agostini

CO-OWNER / ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

As the environmental services expert of the Hapa Landscaping ohana, Victor manages all state and federal government contracts, developer/corporate partnering, and local community initiatives related to the preservation of Hawaii’s precious indigenous ecosystem. 

Victor’s passion for nature and preservation—fostered as a youth on his parents’ citrus plantation and cattle farm in Argentina—led to a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Universidad de Belgrano in Buenos Aires.  Eager to travel and develop his knowledge of native ecologies throughout the world, Victor moved to Hawaii in 1997.  Here, he earned a master’s degree in Management, Finance and Financial Management Services in 2002 from Hawai’i Pacific University and, in 2011, a master’s degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Management with an emphasis on hydrology and water resources science from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.

In addition to his passion for Hawai’i and the preservation of the state’s fragile native bionetwork, Victor enjoys paddling, fishing, surfing and, most importantly, spending time with his brilliant, passionate wife Tiffany and their newborn son Micah Nicolas.