KAʻEHU

KAʻEHU is on a mission to restore the natural resources around Hawaii’s Kaʻehu Bay and preserve traditional Hawaiian culture with a community-based, family-oriented approach to environmental stewardship and sustainable agriculture. Founded to help protect the Paukukalo Coastal Wetlands and significant cultural sites in the area, KAʻEHU members have been working for three decades to maintain and preserve resources for traditional and cultural practices for the community. Activities include promoting sustainable management of the land and bay, utilizing those resources in conjunction with other agencies and cultural organizations to promote and preserve traditional Hawaiian cultural activities, and providing fiscal sponsorship to native Hawaiian and indigenous nonprofit organizations with needed services for their community. As a steward for the area’s natural wonders and culture, KAʻEHU provides a home base for citizens to preserve all that makes Ka’ehu Bay a special place.

KAʻEHU is a nonprofit organization that partners with other nonprofits and businesses to help restore and preserve the Ka’ehu Bay region while promoting cultural practices along with sustainable agriculture and development. Partners include the Trust for Public Lands, Kauahea Inc., Hale Hoʻolana, Makahiki Athletic Association (MAA), Aloha Missions, and Planning Innovative Kommunities & Opportunities (PIKO). Programs include monthly community work days that involve the restoration of streams and native plants, removal of invasive species, and beach cleanup of debris along the shore of Kaʻehu Bay. The Community Environmental Stewardship Program provides training in traditional shoreline and land stewardship, while the KALO Healthy Families Program hosts workshops to promote healthy relationships within the home and community. The Mālama Hawaiʻi Program offers tourists a discount on lodging or even a free night’s stay in exchange for volunteering with Ka’ehu during their visit.

For more information:

Maui’s Kaʻehu Bay restoration gets help from Jean-Michel Cousteau, Maui Now, July 2022