Honolulu, Hawaii – The Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) approved recommendations from the Legacy Land Conservation Commission and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) to award up to $7 million in state Legacy Land Conservation grants for fiscal year 2026. These funds target five critical conservation projects on Maui and Molokaʻi, protecting pristine coastal areas, culturally significant shorelines, native forest habitats, and lands essential for traditional practices and community access.
The approved properties represent a strategic effort to preserve ecological integrity, cultural heritage, and public recreational opportunities. Among them is Honolua Bay, a 17.8-acre assemblage of parcels in Lahaina, Maui, that frames one of Hawaiʻi’s most iconic bays. This area supports critical wildlife habitat, cultural sites, and experiences heavy public use. Securing these lands will facilitate coordinated management of visitor access, restoration of natural resources, and preservation of the region’s profound cultural and ecological value. The grantee, Save Honolua Coalition, will lead these initiatives.
On Molokaʻi’s south shore near Kaunakakai Wharf lies Mālama Kaunakahakai, approximately 23 acres of coastal property featuring wetlands and native waterbird habitat. Traditionally used for canoe landings and gatherings, the site’s protection will safeguard open space and establish a permanent base for Molokaʻi’s voyaging community. Hui Waʻa O Molokaʻi is the designated grantee.
Adjacent to Kalokoʻeli Fishpond on Molokaʻi, the 7.2-acre Kalokoʻeli Shoreline parcels form a vital cultural and ecological corridor linking land and sea. This area bolsters traditional aquaculture, shoreline habitat, and community-based stewardship. Acquisition ensures continued access for cultural practices and enhances long-term management. KHM International will oversee the project.
Further afield, the East Maui Coastal Forest spans more than 540 acres along the Hāna Highway on Maui’s northeast coast. This mixed native forest provides refuge for endangered plants, native seabirds, and the Hawaiian hoary bat while safeguarding streams and nearshore ecosystems. The acquisition upholds essential watershed functions, with DOFAW as the grantee.
Completing the list is Haneoʻo ʻĀina, roughly 115 acres in Hāna, Maui, comprising pasturelands rich with cultural and historical resources, including burial sites and other wahi pana. Preservation efforts will maintain Hāna’s rural character, protect key cultural landscapes, and foster stewardship and education. Initial partial funding supports this work, led by Ke Ao Haliʻi.
Established by the state Legislature in 2005, the Legacy Land Conservation Program channels a portion of the real estate conveyance tax into permanent funding for land conservation. To date, it has conserved 53 properties covering 37,000 acres statewide—a testament to its enduring impact on Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural treasures.
The grant selection process is thorough, incorporating consultations with multiple state agencies, field visits, public meetings, and reviews by the Legacy Land Conservation Commission. Final approvals rest with the BLNR and the governor, ensuring projects align with priorities for natural, environmental, recreational, scenic, cultural, agricultural, and historic preservation.
These grants not only secure vital landscapes but also promote public access to natural resources and fortify partnerships between government entities and community-based organizations. By protecting habitats like those for the Hawaiian hoary bat and native seabirds, the program advances biodiversity and resilience amid ongoing environmental pressures. The specific statistic of 37,000 acres protected underscores the program’s scale, while the East Maui Coastal Forest exemplifies concrete efforts to maintain watershed health and endangered species habitats.
For more information, visit Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.