An Unforgettable Experience To Maui To Learn About Saving Land for the Future

Have you noticed that when you are around passionate people, you can feel a certain energy that draws you into their circle?

I found this to be the case recently when I was invited to fly to Maui to attend the Hawaiian Island Land Trust’s Annual “Buy Back the Beach” Luau and fundraiser held last Saturday night, January 25^th at the Old Lahaina Luau, a beautiful open-air, beach side venue.  (The owners donated the space AND all the employees volunteered to work!)

The event organizers from the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (HILT) invited me, as a social media representative from the Big Island, to tour the 277 acre Waihe’e Coastal Dunes and Wetlands Refuge, located on the windward side of Maui, which the HILT purchased in 2004 (and saved from being a golf course). I met Dr. Scott Fisher, the land restoration and ecology expert who is helping restore the land and educate the public about the fascinating history the area holds in Hawaiian culture. (here is a video of Dr. Scott talking about the Waihe’e Coastal Dunes)

(HILT is also working close to home on the Big Island, too. I will be writing more on their efforts in a later post.)

After our tour, I checked in at the Honua Kai luxury resort-with a gorgeous view of the ocean AND breaching whales. I had a chance to see the work Honua Kai management is doing as stewards of the land to protect the beach and responsibly manage their footprint in Maui.

Then I had the honor of attending the “Buy Back the Beach” fundraiser and luau and met the passionate leadership of the HILT organization and was part of the excitement in raising funds to continue purchasing land that will remain open for future generations.

There was a TON of passion going around from everyone I met! The event featured a variety of local chefs who created a decidedly fun take on the usual luau fare. The luau was one of the best I have seen, blending true Hawaiian culture into fast paced Polynesian dancing. All while watching the sunset with drinks with my other social media friends. The highlight was seeing the local duo, HAPA. Just an incredibly fun and memorable evening!

The Hawaiian Island Land Trust, whose mission it is “to protect the lands that sustain us for current and future generations”, is an organization of passionate folks who see the value in land conservation here in Hawaii.  We are VERY fortunate to have a group of dedicated conservationists doing the work to ensure we have open space for ourselves, our children and future generations.

Mahalo nui loa to Aimee Singer, HILT Social Director, Dr. Scott Fisher, our expert guide, Darren McDaniels, my host at Honua Kai, and Dania Katz , Edible Hawaiian Islands magazine publisher, who treated us to a amazing picnic lunch at Waike’e, and the many volunteers who made “Buy Back the Beach” a truly memorable and fun event! (Shout out to fellow bloggers, Melissa Chang, Jon Letman, Erik Blair and Tambara Garrick..my social media cohorts!)

Looking back a week later, I am grateful that I had an amazing learning experience and a chance to meet and become friends with people who believe in the value of our ‘aina and that a few people can truly make a difference. The folks at HILT can count me in their passion circle!

Here are photos from my tour, the picnic, and the fundraising evening.

US Senator Brian Schatz greeted the crowd