The Kipahulu ‘Ohana is a grassroots Hawaiian 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1995 dedicated to the cultural sustainability of the Kipahulu moku in East Maui, Hawai‘i through educational programs that incorporate local, national and international partnerships and projects. We envision families working in harmony together to preserve and enhance the traditional cultural practices of the Hawaiian people. To this end, we conduct culturally-based agricultural and resource management projects from mauka to makai.

KĪPAHULU ‘OHANA ADDS OCEAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TO ITS MAUKA-TO-MAKAI RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY

The remote Kīpahulu area in southeast Maui is now the third Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area in Hawai‘i,

after Hā‘ena on Kaua‘i and Miloli‘i on Hawai‘i Island.

CBSFAs are established to ensure abundant stocks of priority species and high-quality fishing now and in the future for residents and visitors. The designation is to reaffirm and perpetuate fishing practices that were customarily and traditionally exercised for Native Hawaiian subsistence, culture, or religion. 

Kamalei Pico, executive director of KOI commented, “We honor our kūpuna who have paved the way for us. Today’s win also honors our community, our people’s connection to place, and reaffirms our collective commitment to aloha ʻāina and to protect our resources in perpetuity. Mahalo nui to BLNR Chair Dawn Chang, and the DAR team of Brian Neilson, Luna Kekoa, Keali‘i Sagum, Adam Wong, and David Sakoda, and Governor Green’s administration for their support in seeing this through.”

Kapahu Living Farm is a traditional Hawaiian wetland taro farm, managed by the Kipahulu Ohana since 1995 through a partnership agreement with Haleakala National Park.

Protecting & preserving these lands for future generations to thrive in perpetuity.

Kipahulu Ohana focuses on shoreline and near-shore stewardship as one of the integral parts of the ahupua‘a approach to resource management.

Among the projects of our Malama I Ke Kai program are our 'Opihi Rest Area along the shoreline adjacent to Haleakala National Park, and the Kipahulu Moku Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area (CBSFA).

READ OUR Mālama I Ke Kai