Horticulture Consulting

Whether you are interested in contracting a horticulture specialist for a speaking engagement, lecture, workshop, guided botanical tour, or seeking advice on a landscaping, conservation or a reforestation project, we encourage you to review the experience of our consultative experts.

Horticulture consulting may be reserved on an exclusive basis, depending on availability.

Submit an inquiry and we will be happy to assist you in every way we can on your specific project.

Experience - Norm Bezona, Horticulture Consultant

Norm Bezona has been a horticulture consultant for over 30 years. He has specialized in tropical agricultural and forestry activities in Hawai'i and other humid tropical regions. Norm has worked in West Africa, the Carribean, South and Central America and other islands of the tropical Pacific. He provides innovative information and professional advice to assist communities to grow healthy crops to support their food needs and environmental concerns. Norm volunteers his services through Peace Corps, Winrock International, Partners of the Americas and other non-governmental organizations.

Bamboo

Norm Bezona is an advisor to the Hawai'i Chapter of the American Bamboo Society. Bamboos are distinct and fascinating plants, with a wide range of values and uses, from construction to irrigation systems, musical instruments to food and fuel. As forest ecosystems shrink under human pressure, the survival of many potentially important bamboo species are being threatened. Norm has been working on a project in Haiti for the past 5 years with Peace Corps, Winrock Int’l and Partners of the Americas to assist in developing renewable resources and reforestation including bamboo introduction, propagation, growing and use. Conservation and environmental concerns are also key elements of this project. Norm also has a 4 year project in West Africa thru OIC International on sustainable agriculture and forestry with focus on Bamboo introduction, propagation and use. In addition, he worked with Peace Corps in Vanuatu on growing, managing and utilizing bamboo and rattan.

Palms

Norm Bezona is an expert on tropical palms and is the Director, representing Hawai’i, for the International Palm Society. He has experience with palm propagation and management of ornamentals as well as crop species.

Assorted Tropical Food Crops and Ornamental Horticulture

With over 30 years experience with private industry and as an Agricultural Extension Agent and college professor, Norm has worked with macadamia, coffee, citrus, and other tropical tree crops as well as nursery production, ornamental horticulture and landscape management. Norm has been working in Haiti over the past 5 years with Peace Corps, Winrock Int’l and Partners of the Americas to assist with tropical tree crops such as coffee, mango and avocado. He worked in Suriname with Peace Corps on assisting villages to grow vegetable crops and controlling crop pests. He also worked with Peace Corps in Nicaragua on tropical crops and conservation issues, especially erosion control. And, Norm has traveled throughout South America and Southeast Asia collecting plants for Hawai’i botanical gardens.

Experience - Ric Bezona, Horticulture Consultant

Summary of Qualifications

Ric has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, with a major in Horticultural Technology, with an emphasis in Business and special study in native plants of Hawai'i, 1980-1985. He has over 25 years of experience in all phases of landscape planning, development, and maintenance; both exterior and interior; specializing in tropical and sub-tropical plants. He also has a Secondary Teacher Certification in Science from the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, May, 1998. He has an extensive knowledge of Hawaii’s culture, history and archaeology.

Employment:

  • 2005 – Present: Kuki’o Resort – Landscape Manager Big Island, Hawai'i. Ric oversees all landscape operations for this exclusive residential resort including maintenance and new construction.
  • 1995 - Present: Outrigger Resorts- Horticultural Consultant Big Island, Hawai'i. Ric's duties include but are not limited to: landscape design, irrigation design and renovation and training of landscape maintenance teams. He is presently working, or has worked directly with, the general managers of five Big Island properties: Kanaloa at Kona, Outrigger Royal Sea-Cliff, Outrigger Kolea, Outrigger Waikoloa, and Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary.
  • 1995 – Present: Bezona Botanical Services- Owner Big Island, Hawai'i. Ric provides commercial and residential landscape consultation, design, planning, installation and maintenance services. He also provides irrigation design, renovation and maintenance.
  • 1998 – 2005: Hawaii Grower Products, Inc. - Big Island Branch Manager Big Island, Hawai'i. Ric distributed horticultural supplies throughout the Big Island. He also was responsible for the hiring and training of staff. Since 1998, business has increased by over 300%. Ric's experience in this field includes interpretation and analysis of soil and water test results; observation and diagnosis of plant and turf grass maladies; making recommendations for agronomic and chemical inputs needed to achieve desired results.
  • 1993 – 1995: Gentry Ranch- Landscape Manager Kohala, Hawai'i. Ric was responsible for landscape design, installation, and maintenance for a well-known Hawai'i developer, Tom Gentry, on his 45-acre private estate at Kohala Ranch. He oversaw landscape contractors and subcontractors. Mr. Gentry suffered a fatal accident, in 1995, which forced Ric to leave this project.
  • 1988 - 1993: Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company- Director of Landscaping California, Florida, Hawai'i. Ric had numerous duties including the training and management of landscape departments for the following hotels: Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel; Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey; Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island; and Ritz-Carlton, Mauna Lani. At R.C. Marina del Rey and R.C. Amelia Island, Ric began work before opening. He also worked with contractors, as well as developed and enforced punch lists. Ric was the author of the garden column for the company newsletter, and he led weekly grounds group tours of between 10 to 75 people. While in Laguna Niguel he attended evening courses at UC Irvine studying Plant ID and Landscape Architecture.
  • 1987-1888: Figi Graphics, Inc.- Landscape Manager San Diego, California. Ric led the planning, development and maintenance of a rare palm collection, which included procurement and installation. Concurrently, he attended evening courses at Saddleback College, where he studied plant ID and Landscape Architecture.

References: Available upon request.