Reflecting on a year at Mahukona
Preservation of Mahukona has definitely been a long-time coming. The work that we have done and continue to do is all with the goal of rediscovering the identity of this wahi pana. It is an identity that reaches far past our own memories and experiences, back before the sugar plantations, back to a time where it was an important place for navigation, agriculture, and fishing for Native Hawaiians.
This shift to preservation gives us the opportunity to now prioritize ways we can serve this land. To honor a place that is not only significant to me and my family, but to this community, and now to the many who know more about Mahukona from the volunteer and learning opportunities over the past year.
With all that has been accomplished, there is much more to do and I look forward to continuing this work with all of you in this next year and in the many years to come.
Here’s summary of what Keone’s been doing over the past year:
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
HILT's Mahukona ʻĀina Steward & Educator, Keone Emeliano, has facilitated over 420 student visits to Mahukona so far this year. Students participate in ʻāina-based educational activities that enhance what they learn in the classroom, covering topics such as ecological restoration, the history and moʻolelo of Mahukona, cultural practices, trade skills, and more. Nineteen students from Kohala High and Elementary Schools participated in weekly or bi-weekly programs during the 2023-24 school year. Twelve Kohala High School students have started weekly programs at Mahukona for the current school year, working on two semester-long projects focused on agriculture and bee keeping.
One-hundred-thirty-one (131) individuals participated in guided, educational hikes at Mahukona year-to-date, including three Talk Story on the Land events. See our Talk Story on the Land page for 2025 events.
We also began a camping program tied to volunteering to enable fishers and cultural practitioners the necessary overnight access for their activities. On average, two groups of 20 or less camped every weekend throughout the summer.
LAND STEWARDSHIP
Approximately 300 native and canoe plants have been planted so far this year at Mahukona. We intend to plant about 50 more by the end of the year. A garden and nursery was started next to Hale Pāpaʻi to serve as a testing site for propagating and planting species that could potentially be outplanted across Mahukona. Invasive species removal has also started in strategic areas.
This work has been done with the help of over 485 volunteer visits! HILT hosted nine private volunteer days or other visits with organizations such as the National Science Foundation, First Nations Futures Program, Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation, Mauna Kea Resort, and more. HILT also began a public volunteer program on the third Thursday of every month. Sign up to volunteer here!
A high-priority after closing the acquisition was repairing and upgrading the on-site water infrastructure. We are happy to report that our well has been restored and a new pump installed. Three large water tanks were filled to meet interim needs. Testing and mapping of the existing water distribution lines and tanks is ongoing.
HILT is also poised to begin work on a series of capital improvement projects. We are currently waiting to receive funds from a grant we have been awarded that will support the completion of a building assessment, repairs of existing structures according to the assessment, and the construction of restroom facilities and additional water infrastructure.
Earlier this year, HILT cleared invasive trees and brush from Maumalei Heiau, one of the larger cultural sites on property, along with an access trail. The area is being maintained for use by cultural practitioners and educational groups. Koʻa Heiau Holomoana continues to be maintained by Nā Kālai Waʻa.
To support Nā Kālai Waʻa's use of the property post-acquisition, HILT executed an updated license agreement with them. The agreement allows for their continued use of the warehouse as a drydock for Makaliʻi voyaging canoe and other programming. Nā Kālai Waʻa will also continue to collaborate with HILT on programs and site stewardship.
To mitigate fire risks and to dissuade other problematic activities, HILT cleared trees and brush around structures and the wharf. We are also in the process of finalizing a grazing lease with Parker Ranch to help with fire mitigation through fuel load reduction on the mauka portions of the property.
MOVING FORWARD
HILT is developing long-term Master and Management Plans for Mahukona that align with our original acquisition intent of supporting ecosystem restoration, cultural perpetuation, education, and community access. We have assembled an advisory working group to provide input in the planning process. The group includes lineal descendants of Mahukona, cultural practitioners, subject matter experts in key fields, and other stakeholders. HILT hired Mike Donoho of Tetra Tech, LLC and Mahina Duarte of Mahina Duarte Consulting to facilitate the process and draft the plan documents. The consultants completed one-on-one meetings with all Working Group members and other select community members and two meetings with the full Working Group.
Suzanne Mankoff, a member of the working group and major donor to the project had this to say about her experience: “I have been impressed by the passion and commitment of both the HILT team and the local community members in defining the master and management plans for Mahukona. It’s a challenging task and I’m very pleased with the progress they’ve made!”
A preliminary draft of the Master and Management Plans will be completed this month, and the final plans will be completed by March 31, 2025. During this planning period, HILT will continue implementing beneficial activities, such as educational programs, trial ecosystem restoration work, and general site maintenance.