Maui Hikina Huliāmahi in Kaupō

By Maui Nui Makai Network

Kaupō gap was clear the morning when the ʻAha Moku O Kaupō-led group met in the Emergency Hub at the newly renovated Kaupō School campus on November 12, 2022. Hosted by the Kaupō Community Association Board, residents and descendants of Kaupō were led by Lyons Cabacungan and Maui Nui Makai Network partners as part of the Maui Hikina Huliāmahi Initiative.

The Maui Hikina Huliāmahi Initiative was created to unite the East Maui community around shared vision for their place and elevate the voices of East Maui lawaiʻa and residents in regional makai (marine) management planning across the four moku of East Maui – Kaupō, Kīpahulu, Hāna, and Koʻolau. The process began in 2019, when several East Maui communities committed to work together to manage their beloved places. Aha Moku O Kaupō was one of the community groups who developed a Mālama I Ke Kai Community Action Plan under the leadership of Alohalani Smith. The plan outlines natural and cultural resources and places they wanted to mālama and their vision for a healthy Kaupō moku.

Residents of East Maui gather to discuss how better to steward ocean resources.

At the Kaupō meeting the group reviewed, edited, and recommitted to the Community Action Plan. They prioritized fishery species, like ʻopihi and moi, and threats to those species like overharvesting; learned about marine mangement frameworks; and began discussing ways to manage ʻopihi harvesting. At lunch the group heard from Maui Nui Makai Network community members about makai management in their respective moku.

Scott Crawford of Kīpahulu ʻOhana spoke about the Kīpahulu Moku Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area proposal that is poised for public hearings this spring. Claudia Kalaola shared Nā Mamo O Mūʻolea’s efforts over the past 14 years to monitor and manage ʻopihi with a voluntary ʻopihi rest area. Jerome Kekiwi Jr. of Nā Moku Aupuni O Koʻolau Hui described his community’s efforts to develop a Community Action Plan and a fisheries management plan. All three groups are co-leading the Maui Hikina Huliāmahi Initiative.

The Network will continue to convene communities throughout early 2023 with the goal of bringing all East Maui participants together in early summer. Email coordinator@mauinui.net to join the effort.