“He nopili ka i‘a, pili pa‘a ke aloha” The nopili is the fish; love clings fast. This traditional Olelo No‘eau speaks of the ‘o‘opu (freshwater gobi) of the nopili variety, which were known to climb waterfalls by clinging fast to the wet stones. Remarkable isn’t it? Steady, determined, these fish achieved the seemingly impossible. And their small acts became synonymous for showing steadfast love.

With this inspiration in mind, we introduce the Nopili Monthly Giving Club. The commitment of setting-up a recurring monthly gift with Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, in any increment, is a small act that shows great love. Together, this support yields remarkable results by empowering HILT to take a more proactive role in identifying and acquiring critical conservation lands across Hawai‘i.

Interested in joining this special group, so committed to protecting the islands they love? For more information, click here or call (808) 244-5263.

Protecting the Wao Kanaka: The Role of Hawaiian Islands Land Trust
While there are a number of conservation organizations dedicated to the preservation of Hawai’i’s most pristine and remote areas, the Land Trust’s focus is on protecting the areas where people regularly connect with nature.

"Plentiful Valley" by Phil Sabado

When the first Polynesians arrived in Hawai’i extensive forests stretched across virtually every island. They set about utilizing these natural resources to foster a strong and healthy community. Although these early settlers initiated significant changes to the landscape, their cultural paradigm of cooperation and reciprocity governed their interactions with both the human and natural world. These ideas of reciprocity and cooperation are embodied in the idea of aloha ‘aina, or love of land.

Expressed in a variety of ways, this connection was often described through the distinction between the wao kanaka and the wao akua. The wao kanaka constituted the lands, particularly the forested lands (wao), most accessible to the community and therefore providing the bulk of the material culture the Hawaiian people (kanaka) relied upon. Because of its critical importance to the life and well being of the community, caring for and conserving these resources became a critical part of Hawaiian culture. And, since human activity was most extensive in this region, the wao kanaka across Hawai’i is most marked by the evidence of past generations.

The wao akua (or forest of the gods) consisted of land not easily accessible by humans. As one author points out, Hawaiians understood the wao akua as a source of supernatural activity, remote, difficult to penetrate, and awesome. While excursions to the wao akua were relatively rare, it was in this realm that koa logs were harvested to become the canoes which united the various islands. It was also the place where forest bird feathers were collected to make the stunning capes worn by the ali‘i. For anyone who has spent time in the misty reaches of the wao akua, its power and influence does not soon leave you. Much important conservation work is taking place in the wao akua, with organizations HILT works closely and collaboratively with including the various watershed partnerships, the state of Hawai’i, and The Nature Conservancy.

HILT has protected some lands in the wao akua, but the bulk of our protected lands lie below. The wao kanaka, the areas where humans live, love, laugh and build strong communities, is where we cultivate our sense of aloha ‘aina. Conservation in these areas— through protection of agricultural lands, the cultural and historical sites that tell our stories, and our most threatened ecosystems—is vital to how we as a modern society continue to connect with the natural world. It is where we, as a community, must put our beliefs about our relationship to the land into action.

Working ag lands at Hana Ranch, Maui. Photo by Bob Bangerter

As the conversation about Hawai‘i’s food sustainability hits a crescendo, here’s a ravishing idea: land conservation can play an increasingly vital role in securing—and forever protecting—agricultural lands for our working farms and ranches. In fact, of the 17,500 acres Hawaiian Islands Land Trust currently protects, 93% are agrarian.

Non-political by design, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust is a non-profit organization committed to working with private landowners, community groups, community leaders and government partners to protect Hawai‘i’s precious places. Using a variety of tools, we help landowners integrate conservation into their land use plans in perpetuity.

Quite often the main barrier to sustaining agriculture in Hawai‘i is the price of land. Because of high demand for real estate, the cost of undeveloped land can be astronomically high—hundreds of times more than agricultural activity could economically support. Plus, with land values that have skyrocketed in the last few decades, it’s increasingly harder for family-run farms to pencil out paying hundreds, thousands, even millions of dollars in property taxes. 

Conservation/ agricultural easements were used by Hana Ranch and Ulupalakua Ranch, both members of Maui Cattle Company, to protect their lands. A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement in which the landowner permanently limits the type and amount of development that can take place on a parcel of land. This agreement requires the Land Trust to protect the land forever, even when ownership of the land changes. Sometimes, the Land Trust purchases a conservation easement. More often, however, a landowner will donate an easement in order to place protective restrictions on future uses of their land.

Please take a few minutes to enjoy this slideshow and learn about our work to preserve our island’s agricultural lands.

As I write this the Oscar Awards are upon us and “The Descendants”, a movie about ownership and responsibility of significant family lands in Hawai‘i, is up for Best Picture. In a nutshell, the movie is about family conflicts in determining the best disposition of the lands as the fictional “King Family Trust” prepares to disperse its assets.

Since the movie’s release, several folks have expressed concern to me over something they learned from the movie, that there is a “Rule Against Perpetuity” stating that  “trusts” must disperse their assets after a set time (typically within 21 years after the death of the last named beneficiary).

Well then, how can a Land Trust claim to protect land “in perpetuity”? Because we can.

The answer is straightforward: Land Trusts are not “that” kind of trust.  By virtue of being a charitable nonprofit, there are both federal and state statutes which allow Land Trusts to hold land assets (both fee interests and conservation easements) permanently.  And, in the unlikely event a Land Trust could not effectively oversee its land assets, there are provisions in place to assure all such assets would be assigned to appropriate entities that would continue to protect the conservation values.

So rest assured, while not all trusts are created equal, the Land Trust is yours in perpetuity.

‘Oni pa‘a (enduring): The work of the land trust provides benefits today and many generations into the future. Its value is measured by its contribution to the quality of lives today and many generations from today.

‘Oia io (integrity):  The land trust adheres to professional standards of conduct that ensures integrity and truthfulness in all of its actions

Laulima (collaboration): The land trust works collaboratively with communities, agencies and other nonprofit organizations to protect land in the most efficient and productive manner

Mālama (stewardship): The land trust ensures that lands under its protection receive the appropriate level of stewardship to maintain and enhance the values for which they are being protected.

Lokāhi (unity): The staff and board of the land trust work together in close unity with all of its collaboration partners for the mutual benefits of the protected lands and of all concerned.

The 2012 Environmental Awards are featured in the March issue, on stands now!

A “Hero” amoung us…

We were thrilled to find this message in our inbox—best Aloha Friday email ever!

“Congratulations! Sunset magazine has named Scott Fisher as one of the winners of our 2012 Environmental Awards, which are featured in the March, 2012 issue of Sunset. Scott has been named Sunset’s 2012 Environmental Hero Under the Age of 40.”

The email from Sunset’s Editor-at-Large, Peter Fish, went on to tell us a bit about the panel of judges and that competition was fierce between the hundreds of entries they recieved. Mr. Fish ended with “I speak for everyone at our magazine in saying that Sunset is enormously impressed by the work Scott Fisher and the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust is doing.”

Needless to say, cheers rang out through the office.

This is a great honor for a Hawaii-based conservationist and the work of our Land Trust. Get the full story on Scott, HILT’s director of conservation, and the rest of the inspiring award-winners in Sunset’s March issue, on newsstands now or online. Do take a moment to read through these amazing testaments to the passionate work of conservation-minded folks across the West. Great things are happening in land protection, and Hawaiian Islands Land Trust is right there on the front line.

We’ll print more information on the award in our upcoming issue of ‘Umeke Ka‘eo, due out later this month. If you do not receive our newsletter and would like to, let us know here.

Gov. Abercrombie gets a HILT sandwich between staffer Jen Luck and Board president Helen Nielsen.Photo: Monica George

The Buy Back the Beach Benefit hosted by Old Lahaina Luau has grown into an anticipated community event on Maui, bringing together a diversity of folks united in their love for the land. January 28 was the event’s 11th anniversary, and its most successful to date raising over $125,000 towards the protection of Hawai‘i’s precious places. Our generous 2012 sponsors, Sempra Energy, Mana Foods, Boeing, and Skyline EcoAdventures set the stage, and success followed in both general ticket sales and the live auction.

The event got “social” this year with the help of a team of professional bloggers and social media experts. With their help a $5K matching challenge presented by an anonymous donor was  successfully kicked-off on Twitter and Facebook. Live at the event, the donors generously doubled the match to $10K before it was brought live to the stage. In a few electrifying moments the match was met, and an additional $20,000 was rolled into the event’s bottom line. (Cue rounds of applause here!)

The night was impeccably hosted by the staff of Old Lahaina Luau—all of whom volunteer their time for the event. (This still amazes and humbles us!) Guests were treated to tastings from the luau and their sister restaurants: Star Noodle, Aloha Mixed Plate, and the new Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop. Governor Neil Abercrombie added a little star-power to the night, making a guest appearance to voice his support for land conservation. Emcees Joni DeMello and Liz Morales of Ahumanu kept us rolling with laugher, Joel Katz swooned on steel guitar, the Old Lahaina Luau dancers gave a rousing performance, and HAPA’s stellar set at the end of the night took our breath away. Perfect weather and great company topped off a fabulous night under the stars.

Browse event photos HERE.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, a package to sweep her off her feet. Spend a romantic weekend at the Makena Beach & Golf Resort. While there, step off Maluaka Beach and on to the Kai Kanani for a snorkel/ sail along the most beautiful coast in the world. Indulge at the newly renovated Molokini Bar & Grille for their acclaimed Friday night seafood buffet. And lastly, lavish her gifts, this 14K gold Honu necklace by Mikel and gourmet chocolates by Melanie Boudar’s Sweet Paradise Chocolatier.

Total Value: $3,200
Buy Now for $1,750

Donors: Makena Beach & Golf Resort, Kai Kanani, Mikel Jewelry, Sweet Paradise Chocolatier

**Winning bidders are requested to call to schedule by April, all hotel reservations are based on availability and subject to blackout dates between December 17, 2012-January 3, 2013.

This package is a part of the 2012 “Buy Back the Beach” Benefit Lu‘au “Adventures for the ‘Aina” Live Auction.

Hawaiian Islands Land Trust is a nationally accredited nonprofit organization with the mission of “protecting the lands that sustain us.” By working to increase conservation land across Hawai`i we ensure the protection of coastal shoreline accesses and recreation areas, native ecosystems and habitats, culturally significant lands, and agricultural lands for our working farms and ranches—all for our use and enjoyment today and for all generations to come. For more details on the organization and our protected lands contact us at (808)244-5263 or info@hilt.org.

With this pledge on the table, your gift is matched dollar for dollar—meaning together we’ll raise TEN THOUSAND dollars to help protect Hawai‘i’s precious places.

Through this challenge, the donor is encouraging you to experience how positively great it feels to give in support of Hawai‘i’s beaches and shorelines, ag lands, cultural sites, native habitats, and much more. Plus when you give now, your gift is doubled!

Help us meet this match—we only have until January 28. Every gift counts, so make your donation now by clicking on the button below!

 

An unforgettable way to celebrate a special birthday or the simple beauty of friendship, your private Waihe‘e Refuge experience includes watching the moonrise, exploration by guided night hike, and a catered dinner. Along the easy 2-mile path, MCLT’s project manager Scott Fisher discusses the ancient Hawaiian fishing village of Kapoho while sharing history, lore, and chicken-skin stories. Return to a fun spread of gourmet campfire fare.

Total Value: Priceless
Buy now for $2,200

Donors: Hawaiian Islands Land Trust

This package is a part of the 2012 “Buy Back the Beach” Benefit Lu‘au “Adventures for the ‘Aina” Live Auction.

Hawaiian Islands Land Trust is a nationally accredited nonprofit organization with the mission of “protecting the lands that sustain us.” By working to increase conservation land across Hawai`i we ensure the protection of coastal shoreline accesses and recreation areas, native ecosystems and habitats, culturally significant lands, and agricultural lands for our working farms and ranches—all for our use and enjoyment today and for all generations to come. For more details on the organization and our protected lands contact us at (808)244-5263 or info@hilt.org.