Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 39, Number 8, 1 August 2022 — 33 More Acres in Hāna Permanently Protected [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

33 More Acres in Hāna Permanently Protected

Aerial view of Mokae II on the Hōna Coastline. - Photo: Hliī

Hāna-based nonprofit Ke Ao Hāli'i, in partnership with the state, Maui County, and Hawai'i Land Trust (HILT), announced that an additional 33 acres along the Hāna coast are now permanently protected as part of an effort to conserve over 150 acres along 1.5 miles of coastline stretching from Hāmoa Beach at Mokae to Maka'alae Point and Waioka Pond. Purchasing, permanently protecting, and stewarding the coastline just south of Hāna

Town was a community initiative. These lands are critical to preserving Maui's food-pro-ducing lands, open spaces, and bio-cultural resources. Maui County contributed $2,469,300, while the State Legacy Land Conservation Program (LLCP) contributed $1,194,000. HILT and Ke Ao Hāli'i also raised private funds, and community members donated in-kind services. The project is a cooperative effort by Hāna Ranch Partners, the County of Maui's Open Space Program, the LLCP, HILT, and the Hāna community. This acquisition represents the third phase of the project. One final phase remains to complete the 20-year effort. "The conservation easement will prohibit subdivision and development, protect Indigenous oeean food systems and Hawaiian gathering practices, support loeal agriculture, and maintain community access in perpetuity," said Laura Ka'akua, HILT president and CEO. Communities statewide are SEE NEWS BRIEFS ON PAGE 35

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NEWS BRIEFS Continued from page 34 encouraged to learn more about their county's open space program and the State of Hawai'i LLCP, whieh work collaboratively to protect Hawai'i's natural and cultural resources through land conservation acquisition initiatives.