Moloka'i Land Trust
The fledgling Moloka`i Land Trust incorporated and received its public charity status in 2006, but its origins go back almost ten years. In 1998, Moloka`i became an “Enterprise Community” (“EC”) after applying for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community Program. The EC developed a ten-year strategic plan with the USDA’s assistance, which specifically included the goal of creating a land trust to preserve culturally and environmentally important lands on Moloka`i.
A community-based master land use plan also came out of the EC project. The land use plan proposes Molokai’s largest landowner, Moloka`i Properties Limited (MPL), donate 26,000 acres of its 65,000-acre holdings, and place conservation easements on another 24,000 acres. MLT Secretary Cheryl Corbiell explained, “we believe this new land trust will help Moloka`i residents take control of their rural and cultural heritage.” MLT fills a needed niche, as non-residents own over 85% of the lands on Moloka`i. MLT hopes to hire initial staff, including an executive director, in the next twelve months.
- Inception: 2006
- Land Preserved: MLT expects to receive its first land donation of 1,600 acres in 2007; the proposed donation is in the Mokio area on northwest Moloka`i and includes a combination of coastal lands, sea cliffs, and uplands area
- Employees/volunteers: Full-time Executive Director, full-time Land Stewardship Manager, all-volunteer board of ten and eight volunteers
- President: Colette Machado
- Exec. Director: William “Butch” Haase
- Email: butch.haase@gmail.com
- Website: molokailandtrust.org
- Phone: (808) 553-9009
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1884 Kaunakakai, HI 96748
- Mission: The mission of the Moloka`i Land Trust is to protect and restore the land, natural and cultural resources of Moloka`i, and to perpetuate the unique Native Hawaiian traditions and character of the islands for the benefit of the future generations of all Moloka`i, particularly Native Hawaiians
News
7/30/08 Molokai Land Trust (MLT) hires its first Executive Director, Butch Haase
Butch Haase attended UH Manoa in the 1990’s and lived on east end Molokai. It was here he started a permaculture garden in Honomuni Valley. His vision was propagating native plants and he fundraised, planned, and started the native plants project in Kauluwai, Molokai. Butch moved to Washington State and finished his education at Washington State with a B.S. in Hydrogeology and Forest Ecology. After graduating, he started his own successful landscaping business. However, his ties to Molokai brought him back each year to volunteer at the native plant project. Now Butch is back on Molokai full time to help preserve the essence of Molokai as executive director of MLT.
6/16/08 Molokai Land Trust (MLT) hires its first Field Coordinator, Clayton English
Clayton English is a native Hawaiian, born and raised on Molokai. He worked on Oahu with an arborist company and then joined Molokai Ranch as supervisor of landscaping. A subsistence practitioner and homestead farmer, Clayton is intimately familiar with the lands of Molokai and brings his wealth of knowledge and love of the Molokai aina to MLT.
4/08 Molokai Ranch Formally Agrees to Gift Molokai Land Trust 1,600 Acres
Molokai Properties Limited has entered a binding agreement with Molokai Land Trust (MLT) to gift 1,600 acres on the island of Molokai known as the Mokio parcel.
The lands at Mokio are considered some of the most pristine and environmentally sensitive on Molokai.
The remote Mokio parcel consists of a five mile stretch along the north shore of Molokai and was nominated by the Environmental Committee of the Enterprise Community “as the most environmentally significant of lands owned by Molokai Ranch.”
Date of Transaction:
To be announced
Property Name & Location:
Mokio parcel, stretches along the north shore of Molokai between Mo’omomi and Illio Point
Grantor:
Molokai Properties Limited
Grantee:
Molokai Land Trust
Conservation Values:
Endangered species: largest growth site of the ‘ihi ‘ihi lauakea, endemic plant, in the Hawaiian islands. Hawaiian Cultural: significant subsistence site with tidal pool system and intact koa (fishing shrines), ancient adze quarry and habitat complex at Puu Kaeo.
Value of Transaction and Funding Sources:
Unknown; planned donation
Links to News Stories:
Molokai Land Trust News Release
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PHONE: 808-573-2428 FAX: 866-776-6645 EMAIL: tom@mauilandlaw.com
PO Box 798Makawao, Hawaii 96768
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