Hawai‘i BRINGING THE OUTDOORS CLOSER TO HOME IN 2026 AND BEYOND
Lea Hong and her pup, Milo, stand-up paddle boarding at Kawela Bay. PHOTO BY JENNY SATHNGAM
Connecting everyone to the outdoors in Hawaiʻi Access to nature isn’t a luxury; it’s essential. You make it possible for Trust for Public Land to protect and create community-centered outdoor spaces that improve health and wellness, increase climate resilience, and bolster social connections. You help TPL advance this important work through on-the-ground project delivery in Hawai‘i and comprehensive systems change across the country. In the last year, with your support, we: • Returned over 116 acres at Pālāwai to Native Hawaiian ownership and stewardship and are working to protect an additional 59 acres at Makali‘i in Maunawili, O‘ahu; • Championed the conservation of another 652 acres along the iconic Hāna coast at Maui Hikina Makai; • Made progress in protecting 908 acres of important watershed and forest at Maunwili Forest and Keko‘owai, poised to close December 2026; • Co-hosted community events at ‘A‘ala Park, welcoming thousands—from keiki to kūpuna— to reconnect with this urban green space, and re-engaging the community to complete construction documents based on community-led design concepts. Additionally, at the request of Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green, I served on the Green Fee Advisory Council, which in its first year recommended over $126 million in funding for environmental stewardship, climate and hazard resilience, and sustainable tourism. Each effort reflects our shared commitment to support both people and the places that matter most to them. 2 |
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As I prepare to retire after two decades with TPL, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people and places of Hawai‘i. This work has always been about partnership, working alongside Native Hawaiian organizations, community leaders, public agencies, supporters, and dedicated colleagues to protect the lands and waters that sustain us all. Together, we have strengthened communities and built lasting momentum for conservation across the pae ‘āina (Hawaiian islands). It has been the gift of a lifetime to work for TPL, and I leave with deep appreciation for all who have been part of this journey and with great confidence that TPL’s work in Hawai‘i will continue to thrive for generations to come. Mahalo for allowing me the privilege of serving this remarkable place that we all call home. With gratitude,
Lea Hong Hawai‘i State Director Edmund C. Olson Trust Fellow
O‘ahu and Maui Land Protection Wins! Maunawili Maunawili Valley on the windward side of O‘ahu was once a thriving breadbasket for the island. For generations, the forests and lo‘i (wetlands) of Maunawili fed the community’s body and spirit and sustained native ecosystems with its extraordinary landscape, agricultural terraces, heiau (temples), habitation sites, burials, and trails. This abundant ecosystem was in danger of being subdivided for development. That is why, for over a decade, TPL has partnered with community groups, the State of Hawai‘i, and landowners to safeguard Pālāwai, Makali‘i, and Maunawili Forest and Keko‘owai—totaling 1,084 acres— and return them to community-based stewardship for biocultural restoration and sustainable agriculture. PĀLĀWAI & MAKALI‘I: TPL and community nonprofits Ho‘okua‘āina and Kauluakalana are partnering to protect 175 acres of agricultural land. Fed by perennial streams and springs flowing into Kawainui, the waters that run through these lands sustained abundant kalo fields and thriving Native Hawaiian communities for generations. We have already transferred ownership of 116 acres at Pālāwai to Ho‘okua‘āina and are working to protect 59 acres at Makali‘i and transfer to Kauluakalana. The nonprofits are hard at work restoring the land to ‘āina momona (land of abundance), increasing the island’s food security, and hosting community workdays. MAUNAWILI FOREST & KEKO‘OWAI: TPL and the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) are working to protect an additional 908 acres, known as Maunawili Forest and Keko‘owai, by the end of 2026. The property includes critical forested watershed, habitat for native and endangered species, historic trails, and significant cultural resources. Celebrated in Hawaiian mo‘olelo (stories, legends), the area is closely associated with akua (gods), ali‘i (chiefs), and legendary figures. It was a favored home of Chief Kākuhihewa and the birthplace of Chief Kūali‘i, who ruled O‘ahu in the 1700s. Queen Lili‘uokalani later found inspiration in Maunawili’s beauty, and it was here where she composed the beloved song Aloha ‘Oe.
Dean Wilhelm, Executive Director of Ho‘okua‘āina. PHOTO BY MEAGAN SUZUKI
Maui Hikina Makai Maui’s windward coast has some of the island’s most limited shoreline access. That is why we are partnering with DOFAW to protect the lands of Maui Hikina Makai and offer a chance to establish thoughtfully managed public access for locals and visitors. This year, TPL protected another 652 acres along Hāna Highway in phase 2 of our partnership with DOFAW. So far, we have preserved over 700 acres, ensuring access to the natural treasures of this region, including a 7-mile stretch of dramatic coastlines, stunning waterfalls, and lush rainforests. This effort supports the restoration of community connection to the area’s recreational, subsistence, and cultural resources. T R U S T F O R P U B L I C L A N D I N H AWA I ‘ I
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20 Years of Aloha ‘Āina Leadership, Vision, and Service Lea Hong at Waimea Valley. PHOTO BY JENNY SATHNGAM
For two decades, Lea Hong has been a driving force behind TPL’s conservation work across Hawai‘i, leading with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the people and places that define our islands. As Hawai‘i State Director since 2006, Lea has guided the protection of 77,783 acres through 49 completed land protection efforts, leveraging more than $241 million in public and private investment to safeguard lands that will benefit generations to come. Lea’s leadership extends far beyond individual projects. She helped create and strengthen public funding for conservation at the state and county levels, cultivated enduring partnerships with Native Hawaiian organizations, community leaders, and public agencies, and expanded the capacity of local organizations working to protect Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural heritage. Her collaborative approach has transformed conservation into a shared community endeavor, creating lasting impact across the pae ‘āina (Hawaiian islands). That future is strengthened by the enduring vision of philanthropist Edmund C. Olson, whose transformational $2 million gift in 2016 established TPL’s first Hawai‘i endowment. A decade later, the endowment stands as a powerful example of 4 |
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philanthropy’s lasting impact by providing a permanent foundation for conservation leadership, empowering partnerships that benefit communities across the islands, and inspiring others to invest in a legacy that will protect Hawai‘i’s lands and people. This year, 250 of Lea’s ‘ohana, friends, and supporters gathered to celebrate her 20-year milestone with TPL and raise funds for our work. The celebration reflected not only gratitude for her extraordinary leadership, but also a collective commitment to Hawai‘i’s future. As Lea prepares to retire at the end of 2026, she leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of conservation, collaboration, and service. The lands protected, partnerships forged, and communities strengthened under her leadership will continue to shape conservation across our islands. While her daily leadership will be deeply missed, the strong foundation she has built ensures that TPL is well positioned to carry this work forward. We extend our deepest mahalo to Lea for her vision, dedication, and enduring contributions to the landscapes and people of Hawai‘i, and wish her every happiness in this well-earned next chapter.
TPL Hawai‘i under Lea’s leadership since 2006: • 49 places protected • 77,783 acres conserved • $241,1966,793 leveraged • 26 partners empowered with land ownership
• 15 local nonprofits empowered with land ownership
• 26 places returned to Native Hawaiian stewardship
Green Fee Lea provided visionary leadership in advancing Hawai‘i’s landmark Green Fee initiative through her service on the Green Fee Advisory Council. Funded through a modest increase (.75%) in the state’s Transient Accommodations Tax—paid primarily by visitors staying in hotels, vacation rentals, and cruise ships—the Green Fee creates a dedicated source of funding for climate resilience, environmental stewardship, and sustainable tourism.
Marsha Schweitzer in Montana. PHOTO BY TPL STAFF/ C. KENT COARSEY
Marsha Schweitzer, a Legacy Rooted in Values For more than 40 years, Marsha Schweitzer of Hawai‘i has viewed legacy as an opportunity to reflect the values she wants to carry forward. As she built assets she knew would outlive her, she thoughtfully included organizations that protect the people and places she cares about.
In the council’s inaugural year, members evaluated hundreds of proposals and recommended investing $126.4 million in 75 high-priority projects to protect Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural resources, the majority of which were adopted by the Legislature.
Trust for Public Land holds a special place in her estate plans because of its ability to conserve land while strengthening communities. Marsha has been especially inspired by TPL’s partnerships with Indigenous communities, including the protection of Kuamo‘o Battlefield on Hawai‘i Island and work with the Penobscot Nation in Maine.
Drawing on her deep expertise in conservation, public policy, and collaborative partnerships, Lea helped shape a thoughtful, community-centered process that prioritized projects with lasting environmental and cultural impact. Her leadership reinforced the importance of investing in Hawai‘i’s natural infrastructure while ensuring these funds are directed where they can deliver the greatest benefit for communities across the islands.
A proud member of TPL’s Stegner Society, a community of supporters who included TPL in estate plans, Marsha believes planned giving is about values, not wealth. She hopes her legacy gift will help TPL protect important places, strengthen communities, and meet future challenges. As she says, “The best planned gift creates benefits for everyone involved: the donor, the organization, the land, the surrounding community, and society as a whole.” T R U S T F O R P U B L I C L A N D I N H AWA I ‘ I
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Land Has Meaning. Trails, ‘āina, and cultural places connect us to Hawai‘i’s history, traditions, and one another. Protecting these special places helps ensure they continue to enrich our communities for generations to come. With the support of our Corporate ‘Ohana partners, Trust for Public Land has preserved more than 79,000 acres across the Hawaiian Islands and connected over 25,000 people to parks, green spaces, and special places.
Join us at TPL.org/hawaii
Mahalo to our Corporate ‘Ohana ALOHA Collection American Savings Bank Bank of Hawai‘i Foundation Expedia First Hawaiian Bank Foundation James Campbell Company LLC Maui Land & Pineapple Company Morgan Stanley Title Guaranty Hawaii Ulupono Initiative AES Hawai‘i Alexander & Baldwin G70 Hawai‘i Gas Hawaiian Electric Howard Hughes Communities Oceanit
In the year ahead, your partnership will support…
TOP: Honolua Bay. PHOTO BY 7MICHAEL BOTTOM: Mālama Kaunakahakai. PHOTO BY MAT T YAMASHITA
Aloha ‘Āina Our Aloha ‘Āina program reconnects people to ancestors, culture, and each other by protecting and returning ‘āina to Native Hawaiian organizations, empowering everyone to aloha ‘āina. Across the islands, we are working to return land to Native Hawaiian stewardship: from the sandy shores of Kalaeuila on O‘ahu’s north shore, where we are protecting native habitat from development; to Honolua Bay on Maui, where we are establishing dedicated space for reconnection and strengthening pilina (relationships) with Honolua, and a more respectful and educational visitor experience; to the ancient hula heiau at Ka‘alāiki Kula in Ka‘ū on Hawai‘i Island, where we are preserving an irreplaceable cultural landscape in partnership with a well-respected Native Hawaiian organization for future generations. TPL is raising $1,700,000 to advance this work over the coming year, helping protect places such as Ke Kīpuka o Kalaeuila (O‘ahu); Kōkua Kealakekua, Ka‘alāiki Kula, Ho‘oulu Wao Kele O Puna (Hawai‘i Island); Mālama Kaunakahakai (Moloka‘i); and Honolua Bay (Maui).
Sustainable Hawai‘i Our Sustainable Hawai‘i program protects the lands that grow Hawai‘i’s food, provide clean drinking water, and support healthy forests to create sustainable, resilient communities. Along east Maui’s Hāna coastline, we are advancing the next two phases of Maui Hikina Makai, where we have already protected 742 acres of an estimated 1,200 acres. Maui Hikina Makai phase 3 is expected to close in late September 2026. In Maunawili, we are working to conserve 908 acres of watershed forest lands that provide critical ecological and community benefits. We are also looking for ways to protect ranch and farm lands by keeping them in agricultural use, reducing wildfire fuels, and expanding
the production of locally produced food to reduce our dependance on imported sources. TPL is raising $1,224,000 to support this work over the coming year, helping advance the protection of Maui Hikina Makai (Maui), and Maunawili Forest and Keko‘owai (O‘ahu), while also evaluating additional emerging conservation opportunities on Maui and Hawai‘i Island.
Parks for People Our Parks for People program connects communities to close-to-home parks, trails, and natural areas which bring people together to exercise, recreate, and share outdoor experiences. In ‘A‘ala Park we are working alongside the surrounding residents and businesses to reimagine an urban green space that serves a diverse community, while partnering with a Native Hawaiian homestead association in West O‘ahu to support Kānehili Community Park. TPL is raising $1,150,000 to advance this work over the coming year, supporting phase 3 of ‘A‘ala Park through planning, permitting, and construction documents, while expanding outreach and community engagement at Kānehili Community Park to lay the groundwork for community-driven park transformation.
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TPL HAWAI‘I ADVISORY BOARD Marco Abbruzzese (Chair), Bank of Hawai‘i Kirstin Punu (Vice-Chair), AES Hawai‘i
Kalo kanu o ka ʻāina.
Taro planted on the land. Natives of the land from generations back. — Selection no. 1447 from Mary Kawena Pukui’s ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: Hawaiian Proverbs and Poetical Sayings, Bishop Museum Press, 1983.
Ane Bakutis, Kealopiko Cathy Camp, Central Pacific Bank Kekama Helm, Kānaka Aloha ‘Āina Chris Hochuli, Merrill Lynch Nālani Kaina, Kamehameha Schools Steve Kelly, Eric A. Knudsen Trust Ala Keolanui, O.K. Farms Troy Keolanui, O.K. Farms Mino McLean, Island Sotheby’s International Realty John Meier, Conservationist Blake Oshiro, Capitol Consultants of Hawai‘i Jeff Overton, G70 Mahina Paishon, Waiwai Collective Mike B. Pietsch, Title Guaranty Hawaii Tom Reeve, Conservationist Ka‘iulani Sodaro, Discovery Lands
1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1512 Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813
Join Us Your gift ensures everyone has access to the outdoors. Every park we create, schoolyard we transform, trail we extend, and landscape we protect is thanks to supporters like you. tpl.org/donate
PHOTO CREDITS: COVER, ALL: MEAGAN SUZUKI; THIS PAGE: MEAGAN SUZUKI
Lea Hong Associate Vice President Hawai‘i State Director Edmund C. Olson Trust Fellow 808.470.2141 | lea.hong@tpl.org Leslie Uptain Pacific Region Director of Philanthropy 808.781.5181 | leslie.uptain@tpl.org