Welcome to Pilikahakai

Aloha mai kākou,

We are Pilikahakai, a nonprofit organization born out of love for our ocean and the deep responsibility we feel to protect it. Our name, a traditional one bestowed upon us, reflects our guiding belief that our well-being is inseparable from the health of our coastal ecosystems.

Our mission is simple but urgent: to restore, protect, and build resilience in West Maui’s shorelines and nearshore waters.

At Pilikahakai, we understand that the ocean is more than just a natural resource, it is also a cultural one. From the coral reefs that shelter marine life, to the fisheries that have sustained generations, to the beaches that hold our stories and memories, these places are living parts of our community. Their survival and recovery are essential to our cultural survival.

Our work includes:

• Restoration Projects: Revitalizing reefs, dunes, and coastal vegetation to combat erosion and provide habitat.

• Cultural Stewardship: Partnering with practitioners and community leaders to integrate traditional practices into management plans.

• Education & Outreach: Teaching the next generation about marine stewardship, climate change, and sustainable practices.

• Community Action: Mobilizing volunteers and advocates to respond to environmental threats and emergencies.

We are grounded in a truth that has guided Hawaiians for centuries: when we care for the ‘āina and kai, they care for us in return.

Pilikahakai is more than a nonprofit—it’s a movement. It’s families coming together to plant native vegetation along the shoreline. It’s fishers sharing their knowledge of seasonal spawning cycles. It’s children learning to identify native species and understand their role in the ecosystem. It’s advocacy at the policy level to ensure that our coastal areas are protected for future generations.

As we move forward, we invite you to join us. Whether it’s through volunteering, donating, sharing your knowledge, or simply learning more about how to be a good steward of the ocean, your voice matters.

This is our home. This is our kuleana. Together, we can make sure the ocean’s song continues to be heard for generations to come.

E mālama i ke kai. Care for the sea, and it will care for you.

— The Pilikahakai ʻOhana