Hawaii Tourism Authority Funds Five Maui Projects
Artist rendering of the envisioned restored Moku’ula.
Image courtesy Friends of Moku’ula.
By Sonia Isotov
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has selected five Maui community-based projects to receive funding in 2013 through its Natural Resources Program and Kūkulu Ola – Living Hawaiian Culture Program under its Product Enrichment Program.
“It is important for us to support programs that protect and perpetuate our people, place and culture,” said Mike McCartney, president and chief executive officer of HTA, in an announcement.
“These Product Enrichment Programs allow the HTA to leverage tourism dollars to support community-led initiatives that also create sustainable and authentic experiences for residents and visitors to enjoy.”
The HTA’s Natural Resources Program was established in 2002 to respect, enhance and perpetuate Hawaii’s unique natural resources and environment. From 2003, the HTA has provided $1 million each year to support efforts that manage, improve and protect Hawaii’s natural environment and areas that are frequented by residents and visitors through the Community-Based Natural Resources Program.
The following projects were funded:
| Organization | Project Title | Project Goal | |
| Friends of Moku‘ula, Inc. | Moku‘ula Public Archaeology Project | To improve historic recreational opportunities and programming in Lahaina, while ensuring protection of the natural and cultural site of Moku‘ula. | |
| Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund | Ho’okuleana: Ho’okipa Honu | To safeguard Ho‘okipa Beach Park’s sea turtles by launching a research, education, and sea turtle protection project that will benefit visitors and residents. | |
| Hoaloha ‘Āina(Fiscally Sponsored by Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc.) | Kama’ole I & II Dune Walkovers | To build two ADA-compliant dune walkovers at Kama‘ole Beach Parks to protect the natural dune and marine environmental resources while still allowing convenient public access to the popular beaches. | |
| The Friends of the D.T. Fleming Arboretum | Pahana Ho’ola – Seeds of Hope 2013 | To provide educational programs to Hawaii’s residents and visitors to learn, value, and actively participate in the care and perpetuation of Hawaii’s natural resources, history, culture, and resource site Pu‘u Mahoe. | |
| Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development Council | East Maui Watershed Partnership | To pilot 12 East Maui Environmental Interpretation Trainings presented by an Environmental Education Team made up of representatives from East Maui Watershed Partnership, Maui Invasive Species Committee, and Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project. | |
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