pehea ko kākou ʻāina?
Our Stewardship Efforts
He aliʻi ka ʻāina, he kauwā ke kanaka.
Land is the chief, man is the servant.
ʻŌlelo Nōʻeau No. 531
The Ka‘ū community on Hawai‘i Island has been working for decades to protect its 80-mile undeveloped coastline, and The Trust for Public Land is helping the community to achieve its vision. Protecting these lands – its near-shore waters, threatened and endangered species, and the culture and history of its people – will preserve a treasured way of life for current and future generations.
“E kuahui like i ka hana.
Let everybody pitch in and work together.”
ATA’s resource management values and the proposed stewardship actions designed to achieve those values are as follows:
(1) Abundant and clean marine environment.
(2) Thriving native coastal plant communities and anchialine ponds.
(3) Permanently protected and respected cultural sites and cultural landscape.
(4) Protected native dryland forest.
(5) Continued sustainable ranching to preserve the Ka‘ū paniolo lifestyle, promote local food production, and maintain or increase agricultural jobs for the local community.
(6) Managed access that balances the protection of cultural and environmental resources, the facilitation of cultural connections and educational opportunities for Ka‘ū residents and descendants, and continued support of the local ranching industry and sustainable agriculture.
(7) A resilient Ka‘ū community where the people care for the lands, and the lands provide sustainable economic development that incorporates the above related values.
A huakaʻi in Kiolokaʻa gathered the passionate minds and hearts of various members within the Hawaiʻi Island communities that eagerly support the families of Kaʻū in their land protection efforts.
INterested in getting more involved?
The Ala Kahakai Trail Association is making a continuous effort to support the community-based and descendant-led stewardship of the ancient trails and the wahi pana of our home. As we continue to pursue different methods of protection for the unique cultural and natural landscapes of Hawaii, we hope our efforts will strengthen the relationships between communities of Hawaiʻi while ensuring the long-term protection of a shared bond to our pae ʻāina and kūpuna.
Please contact fox@alakahakaitrail.org if you have any questions or concerns regarding our Kaʻū projects.
Beach clean up at Pāʻula, Kaunamanō, Kaʻū.