Incorporated at Wailuku, Maui, Feb. 24, 2020
Updates and a link to the presentation from DHHL and G70 are available now on through the DHHL Wākiu Homestead Development Master Plan and EA page.
The Meeting presentation is 43 pages long and includes the work done to date along with master plan designs.
By J. Alohalani Smith
There’s no place like home. After the Westside August fire in Lahaina happened, has it affected the East side? The Eastside has been dealing with 4-5 generations in a home already and continues to take on Ohana from the west side. Are there truly space and homes available in East Maui?
Amazingly there’s hope for homes made possible through the Hawaiian Home Commission Act (HHCA) of 1921. A Trust left by our Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaōle Piikoi for his people; the indigenous Kanaka of the Hawaiian Islands. While under the Kingdom of Hawaii, our Prince held two positions as a royal prince and a democratically elected congressman.
Fact. Did you know that nowhere in the World, except in Hawaii, has a legacy of private Trusts installed for the indigenous people by its royal families; the Monarchy? Trusts such as Crowned Lands, Lunalilo Trust, Liliuokalani Trust, Hawaiian Homelands Trust and the Kamehameha Schools.
Prince Kūhiō’s Hawaiian Homeland Trust is a Federal Act through the Department of Interior (DOI) which designated the State of Hawaii Agency better known as the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) as Administration to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921 (HHCA).
Currently, in East Maui, there are 647 acres of Hawaiian Homelands located in the ahupua’a of Wākiu, Moku of Hana, since 1995. It was exchanged lands through the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). In 2004, the Maui Island Plan https://dhhl.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Island_Plan_Maui_2004.pdf was developed to acknowledge Wākiu for land use. Later in 2012, there was infrastructure planned for 80 homes in Wākiu but it never happened.
Today in 2024, the East Maui Community has been actively participating in Workshops for planning their DHHL East Maui Master Plan along with the Environmental Assessment with G70, a planning/architecture/engineering consultant firm, which is Hosting the Workshops. The Master Plan/EA is required before any use of land can occur.
In September 2023, we had a Beneficiary Planning Workshop for the purpose, scope, process, timeframe Vision and goals completed. In October 2023, we worked on the design Charette to identify design concepts and map land uses. On Sunday, January 28, 2024, the final workshop will be the Presentation and discussion of preferred master plan elements held at the Hana High and Elementary School Cafeteria from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
This is also possible through the assistance of the Non-Profit Organization called Wākiu Community Development Corporation (Wākiu CDC) who are advocates for the Beneficiaries for an award of trust lands in Hana and provide assistance for economic and business training for financial sustainability in the homesteads to empower them successfully. It has been so productive working closely with DHHL, G70 and the Beneficiary Community. Wākiu CDC has also been instrumental in bringing future homes to East Maui. Mahalo to the Wakiu CDC Board Members, the Beneficiary Group and the Hana Community at large in working together for housing needs. For more information on Wakiu CDC, visit them at: www.wākiu.org
A lineal descendant from East Maui (Keanae to Kaupo). A Carpenter Apprentice living off-grid in remote Kaupō, Hana District raising cattle with her Husband in rough terrain and harsh weather. Served as a Representative since 2010 for Aha Moku System O Kaupō under Act 212, section 1 for 11 years, The American Red Cross – Natural Disaster Leadership 10 years, The Kaupo Community Association Secretary from 2006 after the Earthquake and 2013 President; third re-organization of the Association, A First Responder and Fire Logistic Assistant, The Hana Emergency Preparedness Team Secretary; renamed East Maui Ready, Kaupo COVID-19 Response Distribution Team Member and the Punawai Kumu-Foundation Treasurer. Alohalani stays engaged within the Community focusing to assist the East Maui Beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act/Trust in housing and economical development which are two key challenges in Hana.
She is the Founder of the Wakiu Community Development Corporation from February 2020. Alohalani’s major focus now is in assisting the East Maui beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1921 with their housing needs. This will lessen the load for the overcrowded living conditions in Hana.
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