Our Beginnings
Our Story...
The journey for lineal descendants to reestablish their presence in Hīlea, following the displacement caused by sugar cane plantation expansion in the late 1800s through the early 1900s, began with a courageous legal effort that spanned over three decades. This landmark case, which concluded in 2007, was led by plaintiffs such as Clara Apiki Omerod, her daughter Dianne Ondo, and other dedicated community members. Together, they fought to reclaim access to the traditional fishing village at Kawa Bay for customary, religious, and subsistence practices, as protected under the Public Access Shoreline Hawaii (PASH) laws.
The court’s ruling affirmed the rights of all residents to utilize pedestrian easements along historic trails, ensuring access to the bay and safeguarding these ancestral pathways. At the time, the land was under the ownership of Okuna, later transferred to C. Brewer, before ultimately being acquired by the county. The 785-acre parcel spans portions of Hīlea and Kaʻalaiki and has since been designated a county beach park.
With this transition, the kuleana to restore and care for the ʻāina and its sacred archaeological sites became a shared responsibility. Families, nonprofit organizations, and county officials have come together in partnership, transforming the area into a thriving, community-managed space grounded in stewardship and cultural resilience.
The countless hours of dedication and hard work by these individuals remain the foundation of our inspiration. As we continue to stand beside them, we do so with deep gratitude and a commitment to honor their legacy for generations to come.