Hānau Kana, He ʻĀkoʻakoʻa, Puka
A Fundraising Farm Dinner
benefitting Maui Nui Marine Resource Council and Hui o ka Wai Ola
Saturday, 6/27/26 at Mākena
Hānau Kana, He ʻĀkoʻakoʻa, Puka
June 27, 2026
Honoring Ocean Stewardship in Maui Nui
This is a special fundraising gathering dedicated to honoring the vital work of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council and Hui o ka Wai Ola, whose efforts to monitor water quality, restore coral reefs, and protect Maui Nui’s coastal ecosystems are essential to the health of our islands. The evening also celebrates a major milestone. 2026 marks the 10-year anniversary of Hui o ka Wai Ola, a community-driven program that has strengthened public understanding of Maui’s nearshore waters.
Join us at Mākena Golf & Beach Club on June 27, 2026, for Hānau Kana, He ʻĀkoʻakoʻa, Puka a special fundraising dinner to celebrate the vital work of the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council (MNMRC) and Hui o ka Wai Ola (HOKWO). The evening will highlight the vital work both organizations are doing to monitor water quality, restore coral reefs, and protect the coastal ecosystems that sustain Maui Nui.
Hānau kana, he ʻākoʻakoʻa, puka meaning “Born was the coral, it rises,” honors coral as the foundation of the islands and reflects the deep interconnectedness between Hawai‘i’s people, the ocean, and the environment. Guests will enjoy a delicious farm-to-table meal, live entertainment from Wailua Ryder and Marja Lehua Apisaloma, and breathtaking views of Pu‘u Ōla‘i and Kaho‘olawe.
Seating is limited and is based on a first-to-register basis.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the honorees. Click on their registration links below to reserve your spot for this special event.
$150 / ticket
Maui Nui Marine Resource Council
Founded in 2007, Maui Nui Marine Resource Council (MNMRC) is a Maui-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of Maui Nui’s nearshore marine ecosystems. MNMRC is committed to, and recognized for, its ability to work in close partnership with communities, landowners, scientists, and government agencies to advance a shared vision of clean ocean water, healthy coral reefs, and thriving native fish populations. Through science-based monitoring, community-driven stewardship, and collaborative, place-based conservation strategies, MNMRC addresses both land- and sea-based threats to reef health. By connecting mauka-to-makai actions with long-term ecological outcomes, MNMRC helps ensure resilient coastal ecosystems and sustainable ocean resources for current and future generations. Learn more at mauireefs.org
“Our reefs, our water, and our island are inseparable from who we are as a community. The ocean shapes our lives, our culture, and our sense of home, and we carry forward a vision first set by community leaders who believed that protecting these places must be rooted in collaboration. The funds raised through this event help honor that legacy by turning shared responsibility into meaningful, lasting action that keeps Maui Nui’s coastal ecosystems healthy for generations to come.”
- Amy Hodges, Executive Director, Maui Nui Marine Resource Council
Hu o ka Wai Ola
Hui O Ka Wai Ola (HOKWO) is a group of scientists and community volunteers that monitor water quality at 41 sites along Maui’s leeward coastline and 5 sites along Moloka‘i’s south shore. Once every three weeks, they test each site for temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and organic and inorganic nutrients. Since 2016, HOKWO has collected and analyzed over 6,000 water quality samples. All of their data undergo a rigorous quality assurance process and are publicly accessible through multiple data publication platforms, including free access on their website at huiokawaiola.com.
HOKWO’s efforts are coordinated by the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, The Nature Conservancy, and West Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative (R2R) and supplement Hawai`i Department of Health (DOH) monitoring. Their critical work is funded by grants and generous individuals, businesses, and organizations. Learn more at huiokawaiola.com
"Maui Nui’s coastline tells a story — and through our data collection, we’re making sure it’s a story of resilience, accountability, and hope. By pairing quality-assured science with community engagement, we’re transforming data into action — and ensuring our waters remain vibrant for our island community, coral reef ecosystems, and future keiki o ka ‘āina. The funding raised through this dinner helps the continuation of our critical work and shows aloha for the waters that deserve our mālama.”
- Liz Yannell, Program Manager, Hui O Ka Wai Ola
The Species That Gather Us
In a reciprocal relationship of aloha with our native species, they also gather us
Species featured by Maui Nui Marine Resource Council & Hui o ka Wai Ola
Uhu Uliuli
Uhu uliuli are essential reef grazers that keep algae in check and help create the sand that forms Maui’s beaches. The brilliant blue males are fewer in number and highly prized in local fisheries; seeing them thriving on a reef suggests successful reproduction and thoughtful stewardship.
Hale Koʻa
Hale koʻa provides the structural foundation of the reef, with its antler-like branches creating nooks and crannies that are a home (habitat) for countless marine species. It is highly sensitive to sediment and nutrient pollution — reinforcing the importance of watershed protection and long-term monitoring.
Limu Palahalaha
Limu palahalaha reflects the delicate connection between land and sea. Its growth responds directly to nutrient levels in coastal waters brought by freshwater on land. Limu helps indicate pollution trends and the presence of wai, which helps us protect reef balance.
Honu
The beloved Honu grazes on limu and depend on healthy reef structure for feeding and refuge. Their presence reflects the health of the entire nearshore system — from upland management to water quality to coral resilience. The honu are our partners when we’re in the water, often coming over to be curious and see where we’re working at restoration sites.