We proudly present the 21st annual Buy Back the Beach benefit lūʻau hosted by Old Lāhainā Lūʻau, an island style pā‘ina under the stars! Join us for an fun-filled evening with incredible live entertainment by the Old Lāhainā Lūʻau Entertainers and featured entertainment by Hawaiʻi’s newest super-duo: Eric Gilliom and Vince Esquire, a live and silent auction, and many reasons to celebrate land conservation on Maui.
Your participation in this event directly supports HILT’s mission to protect and steward the lands that sustain Hawai‘i and enables HILT to effectively meet land conservation needs on Maui and the rest of the State.
This event is SOLD OUT! Mahalo for your support!
But you can still support HILT by bidding in the auction!
The auction is packed with neighbor island vacations, exciting Maui activities, original art by Maui artists, and luxury good by local designers. Start bidding today!
2023 Champion of the Land
Dana Naone Hall
HILT is humbled to honor Dana Naone Hall as our 2023 Champion of the Land at the event.
Each year HILT recognizes a person, group, or organization that has made a substantial impact on land conservation in Hawai‘i. Naone Hall helped lead the permanent protection of the 277-acre Waihe‘e Coastal Dunes & Wetlands Refuge prior to the establishment of the Maui Coastal Land Trust, which became part of HILT in 2011. She is also a dedicated, eloquent, and effective advocate for numerous other ʻāina protection efforts on Maui and throughout Hawaiʻi, and is an acclaimed poet and author.
A nationally recognized poet, Naone Hall’s decades of effective advocacy for Native Hawaiian and environmental issues began in 1984 as a founding member of Hui Alanui o Mākena, an organization that successfully prevented the closing of the Old Mākena Road (including the ancient Alaloa known as the “King’s Highway” or “Pi‘ilani Trail”) fronting the Maui Prince Hotel. She was at the forefront of the Native Hawaiian burial movement born during the struggle to protect the multitude of iwi kūpuna resting in the sand dunes of Honokahua, Maui. Efforts there led to amendments to Hawai‘i State historic preservation laws, including new protections for Native Hawaiian burial sites and establishing Island Burial Councils for Hawai‘i. In 2011, Dana Naone Hall received the Hawai‘i Cultural Stewardship Award cosponsored by Nāki‘ikeaho, an organization of Native Hawaiian archaeologists and anthropologists, and the Society for Hawaiian Archaeology (SHA) honoring individuals who have exemplified the spirit of stewardship.
Naone Hall graduated from Kamehameha Schools and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She was the editor of Hawai‘i Review, the university’s flagship literary journal, and has published poetry in national and international literary journals. Among her many contributions are 2017’s “Life of the Land: Articulations of a Native Writer,” winner of an American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation; and editorship of Bamboo Ridge’s winter 1985 issue, “Malama, Hawaiian Land and Water.”
The Dana Naone Hall Endowed Chair in Hawaiian Studies, Literature and the Environment was established in 2020 at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge in honor of Naone Hallʻs poetry and environmental activism.
Featuring Ukulele + Guitar Duo: Gilliom & Esquire
One part Eric Gilliom, (Singer/Guitarist for Mick Fleetwoodʻs House of Rumours Band, former Barefoot Native, actor, comedian, and all-around White Hawaiian) and one part Vince Esquire, (Ukulele master, lead ukulele player for Kanekoa, a guitar master who’s played with the Allman Brothers Band and a few more legends). Put these two Hoku Award (Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts) winners together and we present to you, Gilliom & Esquire!
Playing together is nothing new for these two musicians who love to jam and have fun while doing it. There is nothing these two can’t play. Expect a show full of classic Hawaiian tunes twisted up with the blues and a little funk and some great stories.
Mahalo to our Event Partners!
Mahalo to our Table Sponsors!
Jack & Stephani Koraleski
Joe & Sharon Saunders
COVID-19 Safety Protocols
Hawaiʻi Land Trust and Old Lāhainā Luʻau will be following all Federal, State, and County safety guidelines to ensure the comfort and safety of all guests. Learn more about Old Lāhainā Lūʻau’s health and safety requirements.