Conservation
Our founder, Ed Olson, donated thousands of acres to conservation in his lifetime. The Olson Trust continues the commitment to protecting Hawai’i's land and natural resources.
View of the Kaʻū coastline from the air including land donated by Olson trust at Honuʻapo and Kāwā.
Honuʻapo, Kaʻū
The coastal area of Honuʻapo includes a fishpond and estuary that are now protected as cultural, community, and natural resources of Kaʻū. In 2006, the Trust for Public Land worked with Edmund C. Olson to permanently protect 225-acres of coastal property. Historically, this coastal area had been a Hawaiian fishing village, a village destroyed by a tsunami, a commercial port, and a sugar plantation.
In January 2011, the Olson Trust entered a voluntary land preservation agreement with Hawai’i Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy for a permanent easement. A 907-acre area of Honuʻapo, will continue into the future with traditional land use of farming and ranching while protecting significant wildlife areas and cultural sites. Approximately 71 acres of native forest is held to a higher level of protection. The remaining agricultural areas are currently leased to cattle tenants.
Kāwā Bay, Kaʻū
Kāwā Bay includes nesting areas for the endangered Hawaiian Hawksbill sea turtle, an intertidal coastal pond, fresh water springs, numerous cultural sites, including Keʻekū Heiau, and one of the only surf spots in Kaʻū. It was Edmund C. Olson’s wish to have these 550-acres of lands and resources held publicly, for protection, and community use. The Trust for Public land helped the County of Hawaiʻi draft funding applications for State and Federal funds, ultimately covering 53% of the acquisition funding. The Olson Trust sold the property to the County for several million dollars less than the appraised value of the property, to be used as a public park.
View of West Oʻahu mountains from air, including stewarded area of Honouliuli ahupuaʻa. Photo: Dayva Keolanui
Honouliuli, Oʻahu
In collaboration with many partners, Oʻahu's Honouliuli Forest Reserve's 3,592 acres of rare, lowland forest, home to vulnerable native species, and a crucial watershed are protected. The Olson Trust stewards 2,687 acres of conservation and agricultural land in Honouliuli, West O’ ahu, envisioning the careful reforestation of native plants, water and soil conservation, and preservation of historical and archeological sites. The land includes the 2,154 acres of Pālehua Ranch LLC, with 1,275 acres under a conservation easement with Hawai’i Land Trust and 879 agricultural acres. The Olson Trust has donated land on Pālehua Ranch to build a nursery for native plants.
Our Work
