About Kaloko Gardens,

Kaloko Gardens (KGI) was incorporated by Chris Lawson in 1989. Originally a Certified Organic Farm and Nursery, KGI expanded to include Professional Engineering services in 1999.

Raised in Hawaii since 1960, work started on O'ahu. Chris spent three (3) years in Saudi Arabia, doing various construction tasks, including learning drywall as a trade. He returned and moved to the Big Island in 1979. He has a BSCE and a MSCE from the University of Hawaii. In 1986, he was hired by William Rierson (PE) to be the Project Engineer/Superintendent for the W.M. Keck Observatory. Moving to Maui, he was the Water Features Engineer at the Grand Wailea Resort and Spa. He obtained his Professional Engineering License (PE-9779C) in 1999, and spent several years doing independent designs, construction management, and Special Inspections (CoH-SI#0011). He was retained by Black and Veatch to be the Civils Manager at the Kusile Power Station in the Republic of South Africa ($28 billion).

Aerial view of a the Kailua Kona coastal area with houses, palm trees, and a rocky shoreline next to the ocean, with lush green landscapes and roads in the background.
Chris Lawson

KGI performs a variety of engineering tasks. These include Site designs, Structural Analysis, Grading Permits, Retaining Walls, Geotechnics, Construction Management, water and wastewater systems. KGI is proficient in ACAD, is familiar with State and County local code and regulations, and has experience with the DNLR-SHPD Archaeological review for Permit process.

Chris Lawson wearing a red jacket and khaki pants standing on volcanic landscape with snow and ice, pointing towards a white observatory dome on a distant hill under a partly cloudy blue sky.
Chris Lawson smiling and sitting in a golf cart on a muddy construction site. There are several trucks and palm trees in the background, with a view of the ocean beyond.
Chris Lawson, with a friend, standing outdoors on a partially snow-covered landscape with a body of water in the background, one of them is holding a white pole.

KGI’s Values

Hard work.

From a men's labor camp in the desert, to high altitude and bitter cold atop Mauna Kea, to running 14,000 Zulu laborers in RSA, Chris prefers to lead by example. He is a hands-on engineer very familiar with all aspects of construction. There were many long hours and high turnovers of personnel. Throughout, he likes to "Get her done" and "Finish the Job."

Efficiency.

Efficiency is a core value ingrained in KGI's approach to civil engineering. Good planning is primary to a successful project. Efficient designs, critical scheduling, material procurement, and controlling resources properly are essential. Special attention to the "Power Triangle" of Cost-Time-Quality is ever present. Safety is never compromised.

Quality. 

KGI has extensive experience with Water System Design, notably 1800 ft. deep well heads, up to 1 mil gal reservoirs, pressure reducing stations, and pumps, at Palamanui, South Kona. All done for permits with the County of Hawaii, Dept. of Water Supply. KGI has also expedited many CoH-ED Grading Permits, CoH-BD Retaining Walls, and State DoH IWS Septic Systems.