Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed Partnership

History & Mission

Our Partnership was established in 1998 through a voluntary alliance of state, county, and private landowners in a concerted effort to reverse the negative trend of forest degradation caused by threats like invasive species, human impacts, and wildfire.  Our goal is to protect our forested watersheds, native ecosystems, and freshwater supply through collaborative forest management.

Our Goals: Protect, Preserve, & Educate

• We educate our community.  Do you know where your water comes from? The more you know, the more you can help!
• We protect the unique native species of Mauna Kahālāwai, natural and cultural treasures that exist nowhere else in the world.
• We preserve forested watersheds, native ecosystems, and critical natural resources that generate most of Maui’s freshwater supply.

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Ecosystem Highlights

The West Maui Watershed is home to thousands of species of native plants, birds, snails, insects and other invertebrates. All native Hawaiian species are relatively rare in the world, and there are at least 18 plant species that are endemic to West Maui in particular, making them especially extraordinary. The watershed encompasses an array of vegetation communities that are arranged across climatic and elevation zones. 

Our watersheds recharge the streams and aquifers that provide fresh, clean water to residents, communities, farmers, and businesses. The forests function as slow, vegetated water filters that inhibit erosion and runoff, thereby protecting streams, reefs and oceans for swimming, fishing, and other marine activities. By trapping moisture, healthy watersheds also prevent destructive wildfires. 

Many prominent Hawaiian royals made their homes in Lahaina, on the western slopes of Mauna Kahālāwai, and the fertile lands in this region supported a vibrant population. On the coastal lowlands, Kamehameha III made his home on an island in the fishpond called Moku‘ula which was fed by springs charged by mountain rain. Many of the lands to the south of Lahaina, in the ahupua’a of Launiupoko, Olowalu and Ukumehame, contain remnants of ancient Hawaiian villages, agricultural terraces, petroglyphs and heiau sites, as well as many post-contact sites along the Lahaina Pali Trail. 

To the north of Lahaina are the six Hono-a-Pi‘ilani, the bays of King Pi‘ilani, (from South to North) Honokōwai (bay drawing freshwater), Honokeana (cave bay), Honokahua (sites bay,) Honolua (two bays), Honokōhau (bay drawing dew) and Hononana (animated bay), all whose upper wet valleys contain vestiges of historic taro cultivation and many important sites, including heiau, examples of historic agriculture and unknown burial sites. 

In Central Maui, on the eastern slopes of Mauna Kahālāwai, ‘Ῑao Valley was considered one of the island’s centers of civilization. Similar to Lahaina, prominent ali‘i, or chiefs, resided in this lush area, below which fertile soils and plentiful water supported a large resident population. ‘Ῑao Stream is one of the Na Wai ‘Eha, The Four Waters, which also included Waihe‘e, Waiehu, and Waikapū Streams. With its abundance of fresh water, ‘Ῑao Valley was a sacred place reserved for high chiefs, and for hundreds of years ali‘i were laid to rest in secret burial sites along the valley’s steep walls.

Click any image to view in a slideshow.