,Questions 1-300
Under HRS Chapter 464, which description best fits the legal definition of a
“landscape architect” in Hawaii?
A. A person who designs irrigation systems and hardscape only
B. A person who performs professional services where the dominant purpose is
preservation and enhancement of land uses and natural land features
C. A person who manages maintenance crews for private gardens
D. A person who provides tree trimming and lawn care services
Answer: B
Rationale: HRS 464-1 defines a landscape architect as someone performing
professional services such as design and observation of construction where the
dominant purpose is preservation and enhancement of land uses and natural land
features, circulation approaches, and landscape elements.
Under HRS 464-5, which activity would most clearly require oversight by a licensed
landscape architect in Hawaii?
A. Homeowner planting a small backyard vegetable garden
B. Landscape contractor installing turf on a single-family lot with no public access
C. Design of a public park trail system in a hillside area with potential rockfall
hazards
D. Nursery operator recommending fertilizer to a customer
Answer: C
Rationale: HRS 464-5 requires that landscape architectural work involving public
health or safety (such as public trails in hazardous terrain) be designed and observed
by a duly licensed landscape architect.
For licensure by exam in Hawaii, which combination is generally required for a new
applicant who is not licensed elsewhere?
A. Pass the Hawaii Plant Materials exam only
B. Pass the CLARB L.A.R.E. only and submit proof of experience
C. Possess required education/experience, pass all sections of the L.A.R.E., and pass
the Hawaii Plant Materials state exam
D. Possess any bachelor’s degree and two years’ experience
Answer: C
,Rationale: The Hawaii Board requires proper education/experience, passage of all
sections of the national CLARB L.A.R.E., plus a board-produced exam on Hawaii
plant materials and related state conditions.
Which topic is most specifically targeted by the Hawaii board-produced landscape
architectural licensing examination?
A. International building code requirements
B. Hawaii’s climatic conditions, native plants, ecosystems, land use ordinances, SMA
requirements, and cultural/historical conditions
C. Federal NEPA procedures only
D. Generic irrigation design standards
Answer: B
Rationale: Hawaii’s written board exam is designed to test knowledge of state
climatic conditions, native plants and ecosystems, land use and SMA requirements,
and cultural/historical conditions affecting landscape architecture.
When applying for licensure by endorsement in Hawaii, which condition is most
critical?
A. At least five years managing maintenance crews
B. Current license in another jurisdiction plus required education/experience and
evidence of passing CLARB or equivalent exam or 15 years of responsible charge
C. Membership in a national professional society
D. Residency in Hawaii for at least five years
Answer: B
Rationale: Licensure by endorsement requires a current license elsewhere, appropriate
education and lawful experience, and either passage of CLARB or equivalent exam or
at least 15 years of experience in responsible charge approved by the board.
A coastal park in Hawaii experiences chronic shoreline erosion and sea level rise.
Which initial planning action best aligns with contemporary resilient landscape
design practice?
A. Stabilize the shoreline with continuous concrete seawalls along the entire frontage
B. Relocate vulnerable recreational amenities landward and incorporate living
shorelines with native coastal vegetation
, C. Import non-native fast-growing trees to “lock in” the sand
D. Increase irrigation to maintain existing lawns near the edge
Answer: B
Rationale: Relocating vulnerable uses and integrating living shorelines with native
coastal vegetation supports adaptive, nature-based resilience and reduces long-term
risk compared to hard armoring or intensive irrigation.
When preparing a grading plan for a steep residential subdivision in Hawaii, which
design approach best manages stormwater and minimizes erosion?
A. Concentrate runoff in a single large swale at the bottom of the site
B. Use terraces, contour-aligned swales, and dispersed small detention features
upslope
C. Eliminate vegetation to reduce interception
D. Direct all runoff into a single storm drain at the lowest point
Answer: B
Rationale: Terracing, contour-aligned swales, and distributed detention reduce flow
velocity, encourage infiltration, and decrease erosion on steep slopes.
A project in a Special Management Area (SMA) along the coast triggers local review.
Which factor is most critical for the landscape architect to address in design
documentation?
A. Only the color of picnic tables
B. Potential adverse impacts on coastal resources, public shoreline access, and scenic
views
C. The client’s preferred turf species only
D. The number of parking spaces beyond code minimum
Answer: B
Rationale: SMA review focuses on minimizing adverse impacts to coastal resources,
maintaining public shoreline access, and protecting visual quality, so the landscape
documentation must address these impacts.
A new resort in leeward Oahu seeks LEED or similar sustainability certification.
Which planting strategy most supports water conservation while respecting local
ecology?
Under HRS Chapter 464, which description best fits the legal definition of a
“landscape architect” in Hawaii?
A. A person who designs irrigation systems and hardscape only
B. A person who performs professional services where the dominant purpose is
preservation and enhancement of land uses and natural land features
C. A person who manages maintenance crews for private gardens
D. A person who provides tree trimming and lawn care services
Answer: B
Rationale: HRS 464-1 defines a landscape architect as someone performing
professional services such as design and observation of construction where the
dominant purpose is preservation and enhancement of land uses and natural land
features, circulation approaches, and landscape elements.
Under HRS 464-5, which activity would most clearly require oversight by a licensed
landscape architect in Hawaii?
A. Homeowner planting a small backyard vegetable garden
B. Landscape contractor installing turf on a single-family lot with no public access
C. Design of a public park trail system in a hillside area with potential rockfall
hazards
D. Nursery operator recommending fertilizer to a customer
Answer: C
Rationale: HRS 464-5 requires that landscape architectural work involving public
health or safety (such as public trails in hazardous terrain) be designed and observed
by a duly licensed landscape architect.
For licensure by exam in Hawaii, which combination is generally required for a new
applicant who is not licensed elsewhere?
A. Pass the Hawaii Plant Materials exam only
B. Pass the CLARB L.A.R.E. only and submit proof of experience
C. Possess required education/experience, pass all sections of the L.A.R.E., and pass
the Hawaii Plant Materials state exam
D. Possess any bachelor’s degree and two years’ experience
Answer: C
,Rationale: The Hawaii Board requires proper education/experience, passage of all
sections of the national CLARB L.A.R.E., plus a board-produced exam on Hawaii
plant materials and related state conditions.
Which topic is most specifically targeted by the Hawaii board-produced landscape
architectural licensing examination?
A. International building code requirements
B. Hawaii’s climatic conditions, native plants, ecosystems, land use ordinances, SMA
requirements, and cultural/historical conditions
C. Federal NEPA procedures only
D. Generic irrigation design standards
Answer: B
Rationale: Hawaii’s written board exam is designed to test knowledge of state
climatic conditions, native plants and ecosystems, land use and SMA requirements,
and cultural/historical conditions affecting landscape architecture.
When applying for licensure by endorsement in Hawaii, which condition is most
critical?
A. At least five years managing maintenance crews
B. Current license in another jurisdiction plus required education/experience and
evidence of passing CLARB or equivalent exam or 15 years of responsible charge
C. Membership in a national professional society
D. Residency in Hawaii for at least five years
Answer: B
Rationale: Licensure by endorsement requires a current license elsewhere, appropriate
education and lawful experience, and either passage of CLARB or equivalent exam or
at least 15 years of experience in responsible charge approved by the board.
A coastal park in Hawaii experiences chronic shoreline erosion and sea level rise.
Which initial planning action best aligns with contemporary resilient landscape
design practice?
A. Stabilize the shoreline with continuous concrete seawalls along the entire frontage
B. Relocate vulnerable recreational amenities landward and incorporate living
shorelines with native coastal vegetation
, C. Import non-native fast-growing trees to “lock in” the sand
D. Increase irrigation to maintain existing lawns near the edge
Answer: B
Rationale: Relocating vulnerable uses and integrating living shorelines with native
coastal vegetation supports adaptive, nature-based resilience and reduces long-term
risk compared to hard armoring or intensive irrigation.
When preparing a grading plan for a steep residential subdivision in Hawaii, which
design approach best manages stormwater and minimizes erosion?
A. Concentrate runoff in a single large swale at the bottom of the site
B. Use terraces, contour-aligned swales, and dispersed small detention features
upslope
C. Eliminate vegetation to reduce interception
D. Direct all runoff into a single storm drain at the lowest point
Answer: B
Rationale: Terracing, contour-aligned swales, and distributed detention reduce flow
velocity, encourage infiltration, and decrease erosion on steep slopes.
A project in a Special Management Area (SMA) along the coast triggers local review.
Which factor is most critical for the landscape architect to address in design
documentation?
A. Only the color of picnic tables
B. Potential adverse impacts on coastal resources, public shoreline access, and scenic
views
C. The client’s preferred turf species only
D. The number of parking spaces beyond code minimum
Answer: B
Rationale: SMA review focuses on minimizing adverse impacts to coastal resources,
maintaining public shoreline access, and protecting visual quality, so the landscape
documentation must address these impacts.
A new resort in leeward Oahu seeks LEED or similar sustainability certification.
Which planting strategy most supports water conservation while respecting local
ecology?
