HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Mahukona, a 642-acre stretch of land on the Kohala Coast of Hawaiʻi Island, holds immense cultural, historical, and environmental significance.
For decades, the Kohala community, alongside organizations like Nā Kālai Waʻa and the Hawaiʻi Land Trust (HILT), has fought to protect this sacred place from development.
Recently, this effort saw a significant victory as HILT, in partnership with various community and government organizations, secured the purchase and permanent protection of Mahukona.
Mahukona is more than just a piece of land; it is a living cultural landscape. For centuries, this area has been a vital training ground for traditional Hawaiian navigators. The land includes Koʻa Heiau Holomoana, an ancient site of worship revered by navigators from across the Pacific.
This heiau (place of worship) is located on the bluffs of Kamanō Bay and has been central to the practice of traditional navigation, offering ideal conditions for training due to its dynamic winds and currents.
Today, Mahukona continues to serve as a hub for teaching and practicing these ancient skills.
Nā Kālai Waʻa, a nonprofit organization, leads the way in educating the next generation of navigators, with their traditional canoe, Makaliʻi, drydocked on site.
Mahukona’s significance extends beyond its cultural heritage. The land is also home to hundreds of ancient cultural sites, including four heiau, agricultural and housing villages, shrines, burials, and ancient trails like the alaloa.
These sites reflect the deep connection between the land and the Hawaiian people, spanning from ka wā kahiko (ancient times) to the more recent era of sugar plantations and ranching in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The Kohala community is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Mahukona, ensuring that its history is not lost to time.
The environmental importance of Mahukona is equally profound. Its clean, turquoise waters are teeming with native marine life, including fish, rays, dolphins and whales.
The area also provides critical habitat for the endangered ʻŌpeʻapeʻa, or Hawaiian Hoary Bat, and is home to native coastal plants along its shoreline.
The preservation of this land means that these species can continue to thrive in their natural habitat, free from the threats of development.
The journey to protect Mahukona has been a long one, marked by the community's determination to ensure that this land remains undeveloped and available for cultural practice and education.
The Kohala community has long hoped for Mahukona’s protection, and now, through the efforts of HILT and its partners, that hope has become a reality. The purchase of Mahukona was made possible through a collaborative effort involving federal, state, and local government support, as well as contributions from numerous supporters.
To date, over $19.2 million has been raised toward the $20 million goal needed for the project. Although the land has been secured, fundraising efforts continue to ensure that Mahukona can be properly stewarded for generations to come.
Once fully protected, Mahukona will be owned by Hawaiʻi Land Trust for the benefit of the community.
The land will be forever restricted by a conservation easement held by the County of Hawaiʻi, ensuring that it remains untouched by development. Nā Kālai Waʻa will continue to steward Koʻa Heiau Holomoana and the associated navigational cultural sites, maintaining the area as a living classroom for traditional Hawaiian voyaging.
Educational programs at Mahukona, particularly those focused on navigation and cultural practices, will continue to flourish, providing invaluable learning opportunities for Hawaiʻi’s youth.
The story of Mahukona is a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting and preserving cultural and environmental heritage.
The efforts to save Mahukona from development highlight the deep connection that Native Hawaiians have with their land, a connection that goes beyond mere ownership to encompass a responsibility to care for and maintain the ʻāina (land) for future generations.
In the words of HILT board member Beth Thoma Robinson, Mahukona is a place "where culture, environment, and people not just continue to survive, but thrive for future generations."
The protection of Mahukona ensures that this sacred land will remain a place where Hawaiian culture is not only preserved but actively practiced, where the environment is respected and nurtured, and where future generations can learn from and connect with their heritage.
The Kohala community's success in protecting Mahukona is a testament to the power of collective action and the importance of cultural preservation. It serves as an inspiration to other communities facing similar challenges, showing that with determination and collaboration, it is possible to safeguard the places that hold deep meaning and significance.
As efforts to protect Mahukona continue, the community invites others to join in supporting the stewardship of this sacred land.
The ongoing preservation of Mahukona is not just a victory for Hawaiʻi Island, but for all who value the importance of maintaining cultural and environmental integrity in the face of modern challenges.
Mahukona’s story is far from over, and its future now looks brighter than ever. You can click here for more information.
With continued support, this cherished place will remain a thriving cultural and environmental landscape, where the traditions of the past continue to guide the way for future generations.