Hawaii Kai duo grow an oasis that benefits the body and soul

It should come as no surprise that the backyard of Tom and Jenny Welch’s Hawaii Kai home resembles a playground, with springy ride-on animals sprouting from the grass and a yellow spiral climber leading up to a sturdy treehouse built into an avocado tree. A swing hangs from the structure’s floor beams and a ladder in the back allows their two dogs to spend time there.

Designing and building playgrounds, athletic courts and other outdoor amenities was Tom Welch’s specialty at his business, Pacific Recreation. He retired in 2009.

Many of the couple’s garden features are made from recycled items, including parts from old play structures, which he also welds into sculptures.

“Lots of material was from Re-use Hawai‘i,” said Welch, 66, referring to the nonprofit agency that sells surplus and recycled building items.

A merry-go-round supports a collection of Buddha statues, variations of which are scattered throughout the yard as well.

“We are not Buddhists but we started collecting them,” said Jenny Welch, 68, a Hawaiian Airlines retiree.

A small koi pond is one of her husband’s favorite places in the garden, she said. “He loves to come here when he’s contemplating things.” The two have been married 41 years and have lived in the home 34 of those years.

Jenny Welch seems to prefer working in the vegetable beds, growing lettuce, Swiss chard, papaya, beets, arugula and more. She also tends a planter filled with basil, rosemary, thyme, parsley, chives, tarragon and other herbs. A nearby bonsai tree was a present from their kids on their 30th wedding anniversary.

“I make lots of soups,” she said. “We have people over for dinner and enjoy the lush surroundings of the backyard while enjoying the greens and other vegetables that have been harvested.”

The Welches even have coffee trees growing on one side of the house. “It’s a lot of work to get a cup of coffee,” Tom Welch said. “But that was good coffee.”

The garden keeps them busy but provides plenty of benefits for this engaging couple.

“There’s lots of work to do in a yard full of trees,” Tom Welch said. “But it’s worth it. We get lots of shade and it’s so peaceful.”