Kaluaʻehu
Today, Lahaina stands at an inflection point. This is an invitation for the business community to join us. Together, we can transform Hawai‘i’s tourism industry into a regenerative force to help our community thrive — now and forever.
The Challenges
we face Today
West Maui has the most expensive housing on island, and more than half of the new homes built here since 2010 aren’t actually housing local families.
2.68M: Lahaina median single-family home in 2024
$813K: Lahaina median vacant land price in 2024
Based on our math, a Maui worker earning $87,300 each year – 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI) – can comfortably afford a $379,000 house. There were zero sold in that price range in 2024.
Help us change the tides in Lahaina
Make a donation today. Lahaina is defining the future of regenerative tourism to ensure that the industry’s prosperity flows back into the community.
This isn’t just a donation (although it is tax deductible). Instead, this financial contribution recognizes our shared kuleana to respect the history of this ʻāina and the sovereignty of its people — and contribute to our collective healing.
How to support
This isn’t just a donation (although it is tax deductible). Instead, contributing to Kaluaʻehu recognizes that Hawai‘i’s tourism industry has for decades benefited from the displacement of generational Lahaina families, even if unintentional.
This financial contribution recognizes our shared kuleana to respect the history of this ʻāina and the sovereignty of its people — and contribute to our collective healing.
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Mahalo for understanding the impact tourism has on our home and choosing to offset it by helping us build a safe harbor for housing.
Minimum suggested donation is $10/night, but if you’d like to contribute further, please calculate your donation below and make a larger impact on this place we all love.
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Please think about the following questions:
What is the nature of your business and what impacts does it have on Lahaina’s community and environment?
Does your business primarily serve residents or visitors?
How much impact does your business have on the quality of life in Lahaina?
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What is your relationship to this place?
How do you contribute to this community?
Together, if we all do our part, our contributions will leave a lasting legacy: please calculate your contribution below.
Kaluaʻehu Moʻolelo
Kaluaʻehu translates to ______. Kaluaʻehu was first noted in Lahaina's history as the spawning pond of Mokuhinia. It was the sanctuary for minnow, a place of protection from the larger fish used to nourish Lahaina’s people.
Years later, the name Kalua'ehu resurfaced again: This time, as the name of Lahaina’s very first school — a place to nurture the keiki.
But by the early 1900s, Loko o Mokuhinia was buried – and with it, the story of Lahaina.
Together we can build a new sanctuary for our people, a protected place to nurture the future generations of Lahaina.
Putting love for this place into action
Lahaina has won the hearts of people all around the globe. Her beauty and the warmth of her people have long been a fertile ground for countless businesses across generations.
Tourism is the main industry for West Maui, and at the heart of this economy, are Lahaina ‘ohana whose cultural heritage, natural resources and labor are the basis of the industry’s success. But over the decades, the industry has also come with a cost for our people, who’ve often been forced to compete with outside wealth for housing.
In the fires’ aftermath, this place and her people need help to recover, rebuild and regenerate in a way that will ensure our future is as beautiful, if not more, than our past.
Mahalo to the Community Land Trusts Across the Continent that have
Paved the way for us
Hō'ahu Kau'ai - Kīpuka Kuleana
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Shuumi Land Tax - The Sogorea Te Land Trust
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Kuuy Nahwá’a - Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy
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Hō'ahu Kau'ai - Kīpuka Kuleana • Shuumi Land Tax - The Sogorea Te Land Trust • Kuuy Nahwá’a - Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy •
FAQ
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hitting on the point that, even though tourism generated 70M per month, the TAT provided 60M for Maui county alone, or the new Green Fee increasing visitors hotel / str stays by .75% wont ever come directly back to Maui in a way that benefits the local community.
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Lahaina Visitor
Mahalo for seeking to understand and offset the impact that tourism has on our home.
Do you understand that the visitor industry, while it drives our economy, is directly responsible for the rapidly rising property values, driven by off-shore buyers?
Do you understand these lands were stolen from the Hawaiian Nation?
Together, if we all do our part, our contributions will leave a lasting legacy:
- A contribution of $50/month by 500 people funds three Kamaʻaina Easements per year.
- A contribution of $100/month by 500 people purchases one parcel a year.
- A contribution of $200/month by 200 people builds a land trust home.
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Lahaina Business Owner
A lot of people made a lot of money off of Lahaina for a long time.
In this time of tragedy and rebirth, how will we/you/your business invest its ability to sustain us into the future?
Lahaina CLT will gladly provide recognition on our website, in media/press around our work and this program. We can also provide stickers for your guests or signage for your place of business educating your guests and thanking them for being a part of this long term solution of supporting Lahaina via a recurring Kaluaʻehu donation.
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Lahaina Resident
Hawaii has a complicated history. Everyone who is lucky enough to call this place home has a kuleana to pave a path toward making things right.
Do you rent?
Do you own one or more properties here?
A contribution of $50/month by 500 people funds three Kamaʻaina Easements per year.
A contribution of $100/month by 500 people purchases one parcel a year.
A contribution of $200/month by 200 people builds a land trust home.