For the first time ever, these lands have become available on the open market.  Although private property for over 100+ years, it has served and been heavily utilized by the public for an array of recreation, relaxation and subsistence purposes.

This area is rich in native Hawaiian cultural sites and landscapes; Is host to endangered species; possesses an expanse of breathtaking scenic beauty of both miles of coastal shoreline and Maui's beloved Mauna Haleakala and Mauna Ka Halawai; offers shoreline access at several points along the coast; and is the backdrop of the world renowned and iconic Peahi surf break aka JAWS.

It was the vision of Maui's own late Congresswoman Patsy Mink to establish a North Shore Heritage Corridor running along Maui's North Shore coastline allowing access for all.

A significant portion of Patsy's vision has been realized in the Hamakuapoko district, and now the time has come to string the blossoms of the Hamakualoa district onto the lei of Maui's North Shore Coastal Heritage Corridor for present and future generations to malama, cherish and enjoy in perpetuity.

Since the inception of Maui County's Open Space Fund in 2002, many significant and special places have been preserved and saved from development.  This is so important to Maui County that it is mandated in our governing County Charter with a funding mechanism built in.

With a healthy trust fund balance; No other sensitive land areas currently in imminent threat of development (so to speak); coupled with the Kuiaha lands still held under one ownership with minimal costly entitlements and infrastructure to inflate an appraised value; and the fact that the Hamakualoa district has never received the benefits of the Open Space Preservation Fund, it is fitting, timely and appropriate that the theme for the Maui County Fiscal Year 2016 Open Space Fund be Hamakualoa. 

Maui County Councilmember Don Guzman has submitted a $3.2 million dollar line item for acquistion as part of his budget proposals.  Don's fellow Councilmembers need to hear from the community before they will support the budget appropriation.  The time is NOW to Speak out in support of keeping the remaining portion of Maui's Hamakualoa coastal lands in open space.  HOW? 

Sign a petition either paper or on-line;   or 

Submit written testimony to the Budget and Finance Committee at bf.committee@mauicounty.us    

Or, most poweful, tesify in person at 200 S. High Street, 8th Flr. Wailuku, Maui at 9am on the following days: Tuesday, April 28th - Friday, May 1st, 2015.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE - DECISION-MAKING OCCURS during this final week of the budget process.   

The public - resident & visitor, young & old, present & future strongly urge the support of the Maui County Council and its Budget & Finance Committee to appropriate monies from the Open Space Fund for the acquisition of the Kuiaha Coastal Ag Land Tracts fronting the Peahi aka JAWS surf break from Kuiaha Bay to Konanui Gulch and further east to the Oili / Hahana Road area.