Natural Resources

Natural Resources

The Hawaiian Islands are some of the most ecologically diverse in a single location. These islands hold 27 of 38 Holdridge Lifezones, making them the single most habitat rich place on Earth. Their beauty unsurpassed and their fragility equally so. HTA is committed to supporting programs that protect their verdant beauty for generations to come.

HTA’s Aloha ‘Āina program is focused on the lasting value of stewardship by responsible community-based entities with an emphasis on ‘āina-Kānaka (land-human) relationships and knowledge. The collective objective is to manage, conserve and revitalize Hawai‘i’s natural resources and environment.

A key program sponsored by HTA is the funding of the Ala Wai Watershed Collaborative. This public-private partnership with a diverse set of participating entities is working toward a holistic and systems-based solution to implement a regional plan and funding mechanism to improve the health of the overall watershed flowing into Māmala Bay and Waikīkī Beach. 

In addition to supporting community programs, HTA partners with the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to enhance its efforts to protect Hawai‘i’s environment from mauka to makai (from the tops of our sacred mountains to the waters that give us life).

Aloha Aina

 The Aloha ‘Āina program is part of HTA’s commitment toward Mālama Ku‘u Home (caring for my beloved home) and the interacting pillars of its 2025 Strategic Plan.  The Aloha ‘Āina program provides funding support to responsible community-based entities with an emphasis on ‘āina-Kānaka (land-human) relationships and knowledge that manage, preserve, and regenerate Hawai‘i’s natural resources and environment.

For 2020, HTA awarded $2,081,000 in funding through its Aloha ‘Āina program to 34 nonprofit programs statewide in their efforts to maintain, preserve and protect Hawai‘i’s natural resources. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and availability of funding the overall value of each project’s award was reduced by 50% in May 2020 and an RFP for this program was not issued for projects and events in 2021.

For 2022, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) has been contracted by HTA to administer the 2022 Aloha ʻĀina program.  On September 15th HCF issued an RFP seeking proposals from the community and qualified nonprofit organizations to provide funding support for projects that preserve, manage and enhance Hawai‘i’s natural resources. The application deadline was October 29th. The evaluation and decision-making process as led by HCF included a review committee of community members and staff from both HTA & HCF. Aloha ʻĀina Program awardees were notified and a news release went out on January 6th announcing that $1,575,000 in funding will support 31 community-based programs in CY 2022. 

Click here to view the news release and to see the organizations funded in 2022.

For more information about this initiative, contact Maka Casson-Fisher at (808) 973-2266 or via email at [email protected]

Mālama Hawai‘i

In addition to supporting community based partners, the HTA provides funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to enhance their efforts in protecting Hawai‘i's environment from ma uka to ma kai (from the tops of our sacred mountains to the waters that give us life). Support provided included in room messaging, new outdoor interpretative signs in six languages including ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language), as well as support to broadcast three documentaries on preserving our natural resources. 

The HTA also works closely with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to guide the expenditure of $3,000,000 in accordance with the 2016 HTA Strategic Plan. Funds primarily support the Division of State Parks and Na Ala Hele (Trail) programs of the DLNR.

Natural Resources Videos
The following videos were produced to increase awareness to residents and visitors about the fragility of Hawai‘i's natural environment and resources.  It is essential to educate the public, both visitors and residents about protecting our natural resources so that our islands continue to be a top choice to live and visit.