WHY A NETWORK?

Together, we collect and share 'ike and mana'o (knowledge and ideas); coordinate advocacy and education efforts; and use time and resources more efficiently.

The Maui Nui Makai Network brings together community groups that work to protect and restore healthy coastal and marine ecosystems for the people of Maui Nui (Maui, Lāna'i, Molokai, and Kaho'olawe) using powerful place-based, collaborative strategies. ​The Network was started in February 2013 after community leaders from across Maui Nui came together asking: 'Do you want to form a network so we can connect and share lessons learned with each other?' Six community group Alaka'i Members and three Kāko'o Members now take part in the first Network of its kind in Maui Nui.

Our mission is to connect communities across Maui Nui to care for and restore healthy ecosystems on which Hawai'i's people depend. Our purpose is to share and learn from our diverse experiences, lessons, and best practices to help member sites mālama (care for) specific makai (seaward) areas. ​

Our motto is “Paepae a ola”, which means encourage and live ‒ encourage each other to sustain the relationships within our communities and with the land and sea – those are the relationships that we need to thrive. ​

Our vision is to see our relationship restored to both land and sea as we reach across communities and generations to enhance our strength through diversity. We envision that the land and sea are healthy and productive and our actions are consistent with with ahupua'a (ridge to reef) stewardship practices and supported by the best of scientific insight.

Together we commit to provide a legacy of ecosystem health and food security for future generations througheducation and 'āina restoration. We are motivated by our love for our island home and actively and purposefully support community-driven efforts to mālama 'āina (care for the earth) under the direction of nā kūpuna (our elders) and other knowledgable community members. With humility, we put fish first to ensure that ka pae 'āina (the Hawaiian archipelago) will return to abundance during our lifetime and for future generations.

To see the Maui Nui Makai Network's Partnership Agreement signed in February 2013, click here.

OUR PROMISE TO PAE'ĀINA O HAWAI'I

In 2013, Hōkūle‘a and Hikianalia set sail on the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage to highlight diverse global cultural and natural treasures and the importance of working together to protect them. As part of this journey, individuals and organizations throughout Hawai‘i signed the Promise to Pae‘āina, a pledge to increase the health of Hawai‘i’s oceans by the return of the wa‘a (canoe) in 2017. In July 2014, the Maui Nui Makai Network pledged to help protect, restore, and conserve marine resources around Maui Nui through their strong connections to each other and their places.