Maunawili-Pālāwai

Ho‘okua‘āina, big-time producer of kalo on O‘ahu, now owns 116.59 acres of agricultural lands in Maunawili. This acquisition is part of a larger effort to conserve Maunawili Forest (to be acquired by DLNR-DOFAW), Makali‘i (to be owned and stewarded by Kauluakalana), and Pālāwai, which is now owned and stewarded by Ho‘okua‘āina. Because of this acquisition, Maunawili Stream can be restored so that wai flows through ‘auwai and lo ‘i kalo in Palawai, into Kawainui fishpond and wetland and then out into Kailua Bay. As water and the wetland become restored, important species such as different varieties ‘o‘opu (goby fish), ‘ōpae (shrimp), and pūpū (freshwater snails), as well as native bird species such as ‘alae ‘ula (Hawaiian moorhen), ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt), and koloa (Hawaiian duck), will become more abundant throughout the site.

Ho‘okua‘āina’s educational and culture-based programs will also be enhanced with this additional site, allowing for school groups and community groups of all ages to engage in ahupua‘a restoration and ‘āina-based education. Furthemore, farmworker housing is available for workers, program participants, and volunteers whose work enhances the site’s conservation purposes, including family members of said individuals. As a result, there is now potential for a large kipuka (oasis) that provides food for the community, perpetuation of culture through educational programs and community workdays, restoration of wetland for flood mitigation and expanding habitat for native and endangered flora and fauna.