Kāneʻohe Pali to Loʻi

Cascading from the mountain peaks of the Koʻolau down to fertile soils, the life-giving lands that make up Kāneʻohe Pali (cliffs) to Loʻi (wetland taro fields), formed one of the largest traditional Hawaiian agricultural complexes on Oʻahu. The Trust for Public Land is assisting the Kāne‘ohe community, local farming nonprofits, and the State to protect approximately 1,000 acres in Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu.

The lands, though desecrated by the construction of two highways through the area, are still replete with ancient Hawaiian cultural sites and have some of the last open arable lands in Kāneʻohe. The Kāneʻohe Pali to Loʻi lands include freshwater springs, famous waterfalls, at least 11 streams and tributaries, native forest which comprises priority watershed, critical habitat for 53 species, remnants of the historic Luluku banana patches, heiau (places of worship), ahu (altars), historic trails, burials, ‘auwai (irrigation ditches), birthing stones, mountain peaks and other geological formations famed in Hawaiian mo‘olelo (stories), mele (songs), and oli (chants).

Once acquired, The Trust for Public Land will transfer the lands to the State of Hawai‘i Division of Forestry and Wildlife and local nonprofits focused on traditional Hawaiian farming and education. Government and community will work collaboratively to care for this irreplaceable cultural landscape.