Community Celebrates Conservation of Halulu Fishpond Access

Trust for Public Land and Waipā Foundation welcomed more than 100 community members to Halulu Fishpond Access for a day of celebration and learning. Guests in attendance had the opportunity to walk the property and help establish the first planting on the land, take part in a blessing led by Kahu Ipo Kahaunaele, and enjoy refreshments and music.

“This was a beautiful celebration to honor the protection and return of this ʻāina to community care and stewardship,” said Reyna Ramolete, Aloha ‘Āina Project Manager, Trust for Public Land. “It’s inspiring to see how Waipā Foundation has already begun to transform it so that it can become a community piko for their makai educational programs.”

Hawaiʻi’s key leaders attended the celebration, including Mayor Kawakami and Senate President Ronald Kouchi, who shared remarks and joined the community in the festivities.

“Facilitating the community’s connection to ʻāina as “that which feeds us” ​ is what our work is all about,” said Stacy Sproat, Executive Director, Waipā Foundation. “We are so grateful to Trust for Public Land, the County of Kauai, the State of Hawai‘i, and Waioli Corporation for ensuring we could conserve this land for the benefit of our community and future generations, and ensure they can always learn from and help care for this place.”

“As we come together to celebrate the safeguarding of the Halulu Fishpond Access, we recognize the impact of collaborative efforts,” said Mayor Derek Kawakami. “This milestone protects our critical natural and cultural resources and exemplifies the strength that arises when many unite to create a better future for our island, our state, and our people.”

“It’s an honor to join the community in learning about and taking part in stewarding this land,” said Senate President Ronald Kouchi. “It brings me great joy to know community access will remain in perpetuity and the land will be preserved for many years to come.”

Halulu Fishpond Access is a quarter-acre of land in the Waipā ahupua‘a along Kauaʻi’s north shore. The property includes a community path to Waipā’s coastal zone along Hanalei Bay and part of the fishpond itself.

At the end of 2023, Trust for Public Land led and facilitated the acquisition and the Kaua‘i community united to raise $1.3 million in public funds to buy the land from Waioli Corporation and protect and convey it to the Waipā Foundation. The nonprofit’s ownership of the property has secured its permanent presence on Kaua‘i’s north shore, ensuring that the land can continue to feed, inspire, and nurture community resilience.

About Trust for Public Land

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,364 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $93 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 9.4 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.

About Waipā Foundation

Thirty years ago, local farmers and families set a bold initiative to save a space for Hawaiian practices, people, and values on Kaua‘i’s north shore by restoring the health and native ecosystems of the Waipā ahupua‘a. From humble beginnings and grassroots efforts, the Waipā Foundation was formed. Today, the non-profit community organization leases and stewards 1,672 acres, managing the land from mauka to makai as a community space and living learning center of sustainability through Hawaiian cultural practice and values. To learn more, visit waipafoundation.org.