Maui Hikina Makai

Maui Hikina Makai is one of Hawaiʻi’s most ecologically and culturally significant regions, and the epicenter of a collaborative conservation effort which permanently protects cultural practices, responsible recreation, and community use while safeguarding vital natural, ecological, and cultural resources.

In partnership with the State of Hawaiʻi Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Trust for Public Land has permanently protected over 700 acres here, ensuring access and connection to these natural treasures for future generations. This includes a 7-mile stretch of coastline and forestlands along the famed Hāna Highway—one of Hawaiʻi’s most iconic attractions, captivating visitors from around the globe with stunning waterfalls, lush rainforests, and dramatic coastlines.

Where the threat of coastal development once loomed large, the integrity of the landscape and connectivity to other protected areas is now permanently secured. Located next to an existing state forest, this work expands the contiguous network of protected areas that encompass Haleakalā, safeguarding cascading waterfalls, towering cliffs, and coastal rainforest. Collectively, protecting over 900 acres of vital natural and cultural resources and creating opportunities for recreational, cultural, and subsistence uses.

Currently, only two coastal recreation areas serve East Maui, with the nearest—Waiʻānapanapa State Park—still an hour’s drive away and often over capacity, hosting approximately 300,000 visitors annually. The newly protected lands of Maui Hikina Makai offer a chance to establish thoughtfully managed public access to some of Maui’s most remarkable coastline and forested areas. These lands are home to vital habitats for rare coastal plants and seabird species and are bordered by some of the cleanest waters in the nation. While much of Maui’s upland forests are under protection, lowland forests and streams remain vulnerable, leaving a critical gap in conservation efforts. The preservation of this land helps bridge that gap, ensuring a connected and thriving ecosystem from summit to sea.

TPL is proud to support this work by assisting the State of Hawaiʻi in acquiring vital lands and working closely with the Division of Forestry and Wildlife to collectively protect Hawaiʻi’s treasured landscapes and cultural resources for generations to come.