Land conservation protects areas for the working farms and ranches that help feed us, like these 11,000 acres preserved by The Erdman Family. The views and wide-open expanses nourish us on another level.
Protected Property Information
Size: 11,038 acres
Year Protected: 2009
Land Protection Strategy: Agricultural easement
Conservation Values: Working agricultural lands, native wildlife habitat, watershed
Land Features: Pasturelands, dry land forest
The Erdman family, owners of ‘Ulupalakua Ranch, made a historic land preservation agreement by preserving over 11,000 acres along the leeward slopes of Haleakala as a working ranch and wildlife habitat. Although the purpose of this perpetual easement is to assure the lands are always protected for agricultural uses, a corollary benefit is the permanent protection of one of Maui’s most iconic views: the rolling green hills of Ulupalakua. This is the largest-ever voluntary easement donation in the state of Hawai‘i.
The agriculture easement agreements apply to two large contiguous parcels, including an approximate 6,000 acres on the western slopes of the ranch, mauka of the highway and extending from ranch headquarters up to the boundary of Poli Poli State Park. This area is primarily used for livestock grazing, farming and agri-farming. The second parcel consists of the entire ‘Auwahi ahupua‘a, a 5,328 rectangular parcel running lengthwise from the ocean shore up the mountain to 6,000 ft. elevation. The mauka portion of this ahupua‘a is home to the ‘Auwahi Habitat Restoration Project, and is part of the Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership.
The vision to safeguard their family-run ranching operation and the perpetuity of Ulupalakua’s natural areas and open vistas drove the Erdman’s decision to form this agreement with the Land Trust. “Fifty years ago I was surveying the island for development sights when I ended up in Wailea and had the chance to look up to see the marvelous green hills of ‘Ulupalakua. Little did I know I’d be saving it someday,” reflects Pardee Erdman, owner of Ulupalakua Ranch.
Related Media Coverage
KGMB News video on Ulupalakua Ranch
KGMB News, November 29, 2009
Ulupalakua donation
‘A pledge to preserve open space on Maui’
The Maui News, Sunday, November 29, 2009
A selfless act benefits us all
The Maui News, Editorial, Sunday, November 29, 2009
Maui creates Hawaii’s largest conservation easement
Associated Press, Sunday, November 29, 2009
Ranch’s gift will preserve 11,300 acres of Haleakala slopes for agricultural use
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Saturday, November 28, 2009
Maui ranch agrees to historic land deal
KGMB – Hawaii News Now, Thursday, November 26, 2009
Ulupalakua acres to stay open land: Ranch donates 12,000 acres for easement to Maui land trust
The Maui News, Thursday, November 26, 2009
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