Luke W pairs tradition with tech
For Distance Learning senior Luke Walters, the family business isn’t just a summer job — it’s his future. For seven years, Luke has worked alongside his father at Tropical Landscapes Hawaii, learning the grit and physical labor required to maintain the islands’ beauty.
And Luke is taking it even further via HTA’s Career-Based Learning program, adding a modern, interdisciplinary edge to his shovel-and-soil roots.
Luke spent last semester exploring how AI can revolutionize landscaping. At his family’s nursery in Kunia, he now uses AI to generate precise care tips for various plant species, ensuring they thrive in Hawai‘i’s unique climate.
“I’d never really explored AI before,” Luke says. “It’s been game-changing for the business side.”
This integration of tech and nature came to a head during a final project where Luke used AI to draft design concepts and outlines, visualizing the transformation of outdoor spaces before even picking up a tool. By using AI to balance aesthetic beauty with critical environmental needs, Luke is building a bridge between digital design and manual labor — which is exactly where he sees the industry heading.
This year, Luke expanded his focus to see how different industries intersect with landscaping to solve community-wide challenges. Through the Hawai‘i Storm Patrol project, he studied how landscaping, construction, and environmental management must work together to manage stormwater.
“It’s about how different careers work together to accomplish something,” he says.
This holistic view sparked a specific interest in how proper irrigation and plant placement can mitigate runoff in drier areas such as ‘Ewa Beach and Wai‘anae.
After graduating, Luke plans to apprentice under his father full-time, with the goal of eventually taking over the business. By blending future-ready AI skills with the ecological wisdom of stormwater management, Luke isn’t just maintaining lawns — he’s designing a more resilient future for his community.
