Ka Iwi Coast Mauka Lands

Located on the rare, pristine southeast coast of O‘ahu, the Ka Iwi Coast encompasses rich Hawaiian culture. For Native Hawaiians, the Ka Iwi Coast brims with ancient stories of fishing villages and legendary tales of the volcano goddess Pele.

Residents and visitors alike soak in recreational activities, including hiking, swimming, surfing, and paddling along this stunning natural coastline—one of the defining landscapes of Hawaiʻi. The coastline also serves as a navigational landmark for paddlers, anglers, and boaters.

Battles over the coastline brewed between developers and the community in the 1980s. Developers proposed projects along the serene coastline, such as a golf school, a private club, luxury homes, and vacation rentals. Thankfully, during the 1980s, citizens raised the funds necessary to keep their land through grassroots efforts.

Citizens collaborated once more, but this time to protect the last two coastline parcels in danger of development known as the Ka Iwi Coast Mauka Lands. The stunning Ka Iwi Coast Mauka Lands cover 182 acres near the coastline. If the proper funds were not raised, developers would receive complete control over the parcels, and community members would lose part of their natural coastline.

Over 1,600 community members united to protect the Ka Iwi Coast Mauka Lands and save this scenic slice of history. With the help of Trust for Public Land and other partners, the Ka Iwi Coast Mauka Lands joined the list of Hawai‘i’s protected lands, and 1,600+ community members raised over $600,000 in under four months, which completed the $4-million campaign.

Livable Hawai‘i Kai Hui, a local community nonprofit, manages community access and stewards the lands. It provides educational programs to perpetuate cultural knowledge.

“Generations of Oʻahu residents have fought tirelessly to ensure the protection of this staggeringly beautiful coastline. The community’s dream has finally come true,” said Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell at a 2017 community celebration.