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: All-volunteer board of nine
• President: Colette Machado
• Exec. Director: Hiring expected in 2007 or 2008
• Email: cpgroup@aloha.net
• 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

PHONE: 808-573-2428FAX: 866-776-6645 EMAIL: tom@mauilandlaw.com
PO Box 798Makawao, Hawaii 96768

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