About

Pālehua Conservation Initiative

Our Mission

The nonprofit Pālehua Conservation Initiative was created in 2023 to promote ‘āina-based education and stewardship that protects and restores natural, cultural and community resources of the southern Wai‘anae mountains and throughout Hawai‘i. 

Pālehua Conservation Initiative was born out of a unique opportunity to honor and build upon a legacy of hana by advancing a community-based, collective initiative to restore Pālehua to a place of healing and abundance. 

Following the Great Māhele, Pālehua endured years of neglect and extraction. The mountain, once a thriving native dryland forest, was devoured by eucalyptus and other invasive flora and fauna. This has affected soil health and erosion, amplified the risk of climate disasters, and diminished our ability to build deep relationships with ‘āina.

For the past 20 years, community leaders and place-based organizations have volunteered tremendous time and resources to bring kānaka up to the mountains, educate future generations, and create nourishing kīpuka.  

Since our founding in 2023, PCI collaboratively stewards undeveloped dryland forest reserve and three lots with cabins in the Southern Wai‘anae mountains of O‘ahu. We work hand-in-hand with all nonprofit organizations, government entities, residents, and community members who share a sense of pilina with Pālehua as we seek to sustain a thriving network of people, place, and culture. We invite you to join our growing ‘ohana.

Ke Kuahiwi Poina ‘Ole

THE UNFORGETTABLE MOUNTAIN RANGE

Our Pillars

Preservation

To maintain and develop the mo‘olelo of significant sites and buildings at Pālehua, including Ossipoff Cabin, while enabling more teachers, practitioners, students, and locals to visit the sites.

Conservation

To restore native species back to the mauna and expand kīpuka that contain native plants, both directly and by securing funding for conservation and restoration efforts of PCI and other ‘āina-based orgs in the ahupua‘a. Additionally, to document restoration work at the intersection of Native Hawaiian practices and scientific advances to share with the Hawaiʻi conservation community.

Education

To create ‘āina-based programming for keiki and adults that visit Pālehua, including hands-on learning opportunities and immersive experiences for local ‘ohana with a focus on Native Hawaiian ecology.