Ha’iku Community Hears from the Region’s Newest Large Landowner

Ha’iku Community Association (HCA) will host representatives of Kamehameha Schools to update the public on the Hawaiian trust’s purchase of 1,000 acres of land along the Ha’iku coastline. The public meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8:30pm on Wednesday, July 19 at the Heritage Hall on Baldwin Avenue in Pa’ia.

Lands purchased by the school lie between Kuiaha Bay and Kakipi Gulch in the Hamakualoa area. Amber Starr, Austin Rodrigues, and Kekoa Kaluhiwa, representing Kamehameha schools, will discuss the school’s long and short term plans to manage and care for the land.

“With the purchase of 1,000-acres of former pineapple and grazing land from Alexander and Baldwin, Kamehameha Schools is Haiku’s newest and largest conservation land owner, “ HCA president Lucienne de Naie observed. “We are sure the community will be excited to hear about their vision for the land.”

The Association agenda will also include updates on Ha’iku Community Association projects and activities. There will be additional presentations by Jennifer Karaca representing Common Ground Collective, a non profit focused on food and security and educational programs to support community members growing more food, and Ha’iku School principal Karen Walker will discuss the school’s campus fencing project.

Local, State, and County lawmakers have been invited to attend. Light refreshments and pupus will be served, snack donations are also welcome. Any non-perishable food donations for Maui Food Bank are also encouraged and appreciated.

For more information about this meeting, contact Kristine Kozuki, HCA Project Manager, 808-870-6879. For information about HCA activities go to www.haikumaui.org.