Programs | Kaʻūpūlehu Foundation

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Ka‘ūpūlehu Foundation

Programs

Supporting Our Community

The Kaʻūpūlehu Foundation seeks to actively contribute to the management, protection, documentation, and interpretation of natural, cultural, and historic resources throughout the ahupuaʻa. We work hard to collaborate with community-based natural, cultural, and historic resource programs and activities, and support cultural, stewardship, and educational programs throughout the ahupuaʻa that will assist tenants of the ahupuaʻa and the broader community in interpreting and appreciating the unique natural, cultural, and historic resources of the ahupuaʻa. Overall we aim to provide a repository for historical, cultural, and natural resource information.

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What's Happening in Kaʻūpūlehu

~ From Ma Uka to Ma Kai ~

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Hui Kahuwai

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PIKO

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Uluhaʻo o Hualālai

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Na Maka Onauna

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Hoʻola Ka Makanaʻā

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Nā Kalai Waʻa

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Huliauapaʻa

Hui Kahuwai

The Ka‘ūpūlehu Marine Life Advisory Committee (KMLAC) established Hui Kahuwai, a community-led non-profit (501c3) organization, in 2023 with the goal of implementing stewardship measures to protect the natural and cultural resources of Ka‘ūpūlehu and Kūki‘o. In order to strengthen stewardship activities for ʻāina momona, they acknowledge interconnection throughout the Ahupuaʻa, and their programs are based on traditional values anchored in generational kuleana.

PIKO

A total of 19 ounces of paʻakai on 6 separate occasions, and each gathered sample indicates the presence of microplastics at the Kalaemanō shoreline. 51 water samples have been collected from Kalaemanō. All samples have indicated no presence of E. Coli and Coliform.

Uluhaʻo o Hualālai

UOH manages the 2.5 acre site of this wahi pana at Kaʻūpūlehu mauka on the mauna of Hualālai.

Productively planted 200 koa seedlings and 150 “seeds in a cup” plants over a total of 140 hours. Aside from planting, 10 acres were sweaped for invasive removal.

Na Maka Onaona

Since 2009 NMO's research has shown not all habitats are created equal ranging in productivity based on the island location, a wave exposure gradient, habitat type (boulder, bench, cliff), salinity, sun exposure, and seasonal shift through the year.

Hoʻola Ka Makanaʻā

Over 7,700 volunteers since 2016 to help in the efforts of out planting, management of 276 acres of forest, and efforts to bring 10 additional acres of forest habitat under intensive management.

Nā Kalai Waʻa

The goal of Nā Kālai Wa`a (NKW) is to preserve Hawaiian sailing canoe traditions. In 1993, Mauloa was the first wa`a constructed using traditional materials and techniques. Makali`i, a 54-foot double-hulled voyaging canoe, was finished and put into service in 1995. The community's educational and cultural experiences are facilitated by these wa`a, which firmly establish a feeling of kuleana in both our Earth and each other. Based on this basis, Nā Kālai Wa`a offers programs and events that encourage community involvement while preserving Makali`i's and her family's vessels' seaworthiness.

Huliauapaʻa

Develop & share out authentic resources that appropriately reflect the rich cultural history of this wahi pana. These efforts aim to help further connect the Kaʻūpūlehu ʻohana, the Kekaha-wai-ʻole community and others interested in learning about this wahi pana in order to best mālama and hoʻomana it.

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