Hui Maka‘āinana o Makana

On the north shore of the island of Kaua’i, Hui Makaʻāinana o Makana takes a place-centered approach that weaves together the identity and culture of native Hawaiian communities to sustainably manage their nearshore fisheries. Through sustained work at the grassroots and policy levels over the past 25 years, the group successfully attained a groundbreaking agreement with the Hawaiian Government in 2015 to establish a Community-based Subsistence Fishing Area, setting a key precedent for Hawaii and the Pacific. The fishing area is managed used traditional ecological knowledge, including the designation of a pu’uhonua or sanctuary area. The group’s sustainable marine management is complemented by a mosaic of other initiatives supporting the conservation and sustainable use of agricultural areas, sacred sites, and the entire watershed in the face of climate change.

Key Facts

Equator Prize Winner: 2019

Founded: 1999

Location: Hanalei, Hawaii, United States

Ecosystem: Oceans and coasts

Case study