We need your help to maintain upcountry livelihood and lifestyle. Please read below for more details and sign this petition in support of our ranchers and the food they provide for us.

Kamehamenui Forest is located in Kula, Hawaii off of Kekaulike Avenue and consists of 3,433 acres. Kamehamenui began as the historic Von Tempsky’s Erehwon Ranch, over a 100 years later is still actively used as agricultural land and is comprehensively cared for by local paniolos.

Kamehamenui Forest was recently acquired by Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), whom secured funding from BOTH state and federal sources; (1) State Capital Improvement Project Appropriation $4,000,000, (2) U.S. Forest Service Legacy Program/DLNR $3,830,000, and (3) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Habitat Conservation Plan/DLNR $2,000,000, totaling $9,830,000.

Funding contributions from U.S. Forest Service (39% of total funding) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (20% of total funding) outlined specific obligations and stipulations including but not limited to enhancing recovery efforts for federally listed species (i.e., Hawaiian petrel), reforestation, and watershed projects.

The State of Hawai’i prohibits private funding to enhance own personal interests and/or agendas. However, after the land was acquired, an anonymous donor provided over $1,000,000 in funding to the Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program on Maui, indicating funding will support the planning, design, and construction of hiking trails.

Additionally, in 2003 the state legislature found article XI, section 10, of the State of Hawai’i Constitution establishes "the public lands shall be used for the development of farm and homeownership on as widespread a basis as possible, in accordance with procedures and limitations prescribed by law." This finding led to the enactment of Act 90, to ensure long-term productive use of public lands leased or available to be leased by DLNR for agricultural purposes to be transferred to and managed by the Department of Agriculture (DOA), upon mutual agreement between DLNR and DOA. Due to the obligations and stipulations outlined by Federal funding during acquisition of Kamehamenui and lack of mutual agreement between DLNR and DOA, Act 90 does not apply.

Presently, DOFAW/DLNR has already began implementing their project plans on 2,100 acres of  the upper portions of Kamehamenui, encompassing 62% of the total property. Considering how only 59% of total acquisition funding annotated specific obligations and stipulations (U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), all obligations will be met in the already taken 62%.

The people of Maui are requesting to preserve the remaining lower portion of Kamehamenui as pasture land for continuation of agricultural uses. The people of Maui feel it is fair and support the recovery efforts of endangered species, reforestation, and watershed projects.

The people of Maui are indisputably concerned with how poorly DLNR has mismanaged Kula Forest Reserve/Poli Poli. As they have been decimated by invasive trees and shrubs, was closed to public access for over a year, and is commonly used for partying/underage drinking.

Upcountry Maui, specifically Kula is known for its open meadows, close community, and lack of commercialization. Nonetheless, these positives do come with some shortcomings. For example, lack of resources regarding first responders (i.e., firefighters, EMTs, police) to respond to potential safety issues and lack of infrastructure to handle an influx of traffic and noise. These shortcomings will be unreservedly increased if the lower portion of Kamehamenui is turned into an access point by being paved for a parking lot.

Which is why the people of Maui are petitioning the State of Hawai’i to continue the required projects ONLY in the upper portion of Kamehamenui and keep the lower portion of Kamehamenui as open pasture land as it has been for the past 100+ years.

The community of Maui has spoken up repeatedly and voiced their wishes for Kamehamenui. The community of Maui wants to preserve what’s left of agricultural lands across Hawai’i, the paniolo lifestyle that has historically been the heart of upcountry Maui, and upholding the Hawaiian meaning of Kula, open pastures.