Kaua‘i fishpond access preserved for community

Trust for Public Land, Waipā Foundation, the County of Kaua‘i and the State of Hawai‘i have announced the purchase and transfer of ownership and stewardship of a quarter-acre of land in the Waipā ahupua‘a along Kauaʻi’s north shore.

Known as the Halulu Fishpond Access, the property includes a community path to Waipā’s coastal zone along Hanalei Bay and part of the fishpond itself.

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 will secure its permanent presence on Kaua‘i’s north shore, ensuring that the land can continue to feed, inspire, and nurture community resilience.

The acquisition and transfer of Halulu Fishpond Access to Waipā Foundation marks Trust for Public Land’s 50th successful project in the islands as the organization celebrates 50 years of serving Hawai‘i. Trust for Public Land has protected over 77,000 acres across Maui, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i Island, Moloka‘i and O‘ahu, and connected 27,000 community members to outdoor spaces within a 10-minute walk of home.

The County of Kaua‘i’s Public Access, Open Spaces and Natural Resources Preservation Fund contributed $850,000 and the State of Hawai‘i’s Capital Improvement Program and Legacy Land Conservation Program contributed $450,000 toward the conservation purchase. The property is now encumbered by a perpetual conservation easement, the first of its kind held by the County of Kaua‘i, which restricts the land to cultural, conservation, and agricultural uses, as well as a permanent deed restriction required by the State.

Waipā Foundation was established thirty years ago by local farmers and families determined to save space for Hawaiian practices, people and values. As the new property owner, the nonprofit will continue to use the land as a living learning center to educate the community through hands-on experience.

Thousands of community members walk through the property each year to learn about, steward, and enjoy the fishpond, coastline and estuary. Waipā Foundation inspires local entrepreneurial spirit with weekly farmers’ markets and seasonal food festivals and hosts enrichment programs for keiki to learn about culture, food and leadership.