Background
In September 2016 Maui County completed the purchase of lots 1, 3, 4, and 5 of the Haiku Sugar East Subdivision. Lot 2 was previously sold to an individual and lot 6 is currently being purchased by the County of Maui. See the Maps section for details.
The purchase was called the Hāmākualoa Open Space Preserve, in recognition of the historic moku (district) that encompasses the land and present-day Haʻikū.
For further reading on on how the Preserve came into existence, check out these articles:
Our Organization
Malama Hāmākua is a non-profit, community based organization created to help the county with maintaining and preserving the Hāmākua Open Space. Funding is through grants and maintenance contract with the county. Much of the work is currently voluntary.
Our Goals
- Preserving the land and cultural sites. This is probably the #1 priority. Unfortunately the land has been abused by years of farming and people dumping old cars on it. There are also cultural sites, like a heiau, that need attention.
- Restoring native plants. Cane grass has taken over the old cane fields and many non-native trees have moved in. The original tree types were ʻōhiʻa-hāpuʻu (as described in this research paper) but have largely been replaced by non-natives.
- Community Garden. The original charter passed by the Maui County Council in 2016 called for a community organic farm space to be part of Hāmākua . Our goal is to help make good on that promise.
Our Board
Lezley Jacintho, President
Lezley Jacintho, a lifetime resident of Haiku, is employed at Mama’s Fish House. She previously served on the board of Haiku Community Association.
Growing up in Haiku seeing all changes happening around us has urged her to be involved in our community in hopes to spark change that will move us forward in a positive motion through community partnerships.
Charla Konohia, Vice President
Charla Konohia is a lineal descendant of the area that is now known as the Hamakualoa Open Space Preserve. She is community driven with a passion for culture restoration in the Haiku area. Born and raised in Hamakaualoa, she has raised her daughter with the same local values she was surrounded by as a child.
Working with well known Maui minded businesses like Mama’s Fish House and Hawaii Petroleum, she brings the same manao to to everyday life. Charla also sits on the Haiku Community Association Board, and dedicates her time at the Kalanikahuahou Church.
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Luceinne DeNaie, Secretary
Lucienne de Naie lives on a small East Maui farm with her husband Daniel Grantham. She works as policy analyst, project manager, community organizer and historical researcher and has served on the HCA board since 2015. Lucienne is a frequent presenter on historical and water resource issues and is author of a report on Maui’s water resources (2005) and a book on the history of Makena (2007).
Mike Ottman, Treasurer
Mike is a volunteer director and serves as Malama Hamakua
Maui’s Treasurer. He received his bachelor’s degree in Business
from the University of California, Long Beach. He has over 30
years’ experience in financial planning and investment
management and is employed by Spectrum Asset Management of
Newport Beach CA. He has lived on Maui with his wife Jodi and
two boys since 2009 and is actively involved in both business and
community work. Mike is active in the ocean and his vision
includes keeping the shorelines and ocean waters clean, safe,
and accessible for all to enjoy.
Kathy Kaohu, Board Member
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Leilani Miranda, Board Member
Leilani…..
Scott Werden, Board Member
Scott is a geophysicist by training but is now retired. He spends his time working on environmental issues here on Maui and is passionate about restoring forests and ecosystems.
Neil Irwin, Board Member
Neil has lived in the north shore for 8 years and cares deeply about keep nature free from disrespectful human behavior. Frustrated by the amount of trash that is dumped everywhere, he found Malama Hamakua Maui to be the perfect group to partner with his desire to make changes for the better for all the people that live and will live in Haiku in the future generations.
Maile Davis, Grants and Volunteer Coordinator.
Maile lives in Haiku, where her children have attended Haiku School just as she did. Getting involved in the community has been one of her most rewarding experiences, creating a passionate community for the future generations to benefit from. Believing that community is based on networking effects, she is involved in a vast assortment of Community Groups, School Boards, and more.
Committees
We are always interested in community involvement and it would benefit the Hamakualoa vision to have community help. If you are interested in participating in any of these committees (except the executive committee), send email to: malamahamakuamaui1@gmail.com.
Unless otherwise noted, committees meet quarterly, or as needed.
- Executive Committee. Consists of the president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.
- Finance and Development Committee. The Finance and Development Committee is responsible for developing fiduciary and operating policies relating to the management of monies received and expended by MHM. Members: Mike, Maile.
- Fundraising Committee. This committee is responsible for planning and implementing fundraising endeavors that will support and benefit MHM’s mission. Members are the chairs of the Finance and Program committees plus others from the community.
- Nominating Committee. This committee seeks new board members.
- Policies, Bylaws, and Personnel Committee. This committee meets annually to review, make necessary changes, additions, and deletions for administrative policies and by-laws. The committee is also responsible for hiring, job descriptions, and grievances. Members: Lezley, Charla, Lucienne, Scott and Maile.
- Program and Stewardship Committee. This Committee reviews and assess the need, development and implementation of all new programs and stewardship partnerships. It monitors all programs and partnerships, and sets program schedules. Members: Lezley, Charla, Lucienne, Scott, Neil, and Maile. This committee meets monthly.
- Cultural Committee. This committee guides the projects, policies, and plans that are cultural in nature. Members: Lezley, Charla, Joyclynn and Maury.