What Does It Take To Save Honolua?

Honolua is a right-breaking point located in Honolua Bay, the northwest corner of Maui, Hawai‘i.

Photo: Brian Bielmann / @brianbielmann

In 2007, Maui Land and Pineapple Company – the area’s landowners – proposed a golf course and 40 luxury homes on Lipoa Point, a treasured cultural area and marine reserve that also overlooks and encompasses the surf spot. Following the lead of the Save Honolua Coalition, Surfrider Maui joined other marine conservation and Native Hawaiian groups in successfully opposing the development for years. In May 2013, Hawai‘i state lawmakers officially passed House Bill 1424, a bill authorizing the acquisition of 280 acres surrounding Lipoa Point to convert the area into a conservation easement.

The above-mentioned groups participated in a 14-month long State Park planning group and came up with a comprehensive plan. Today, the environmental impact statement has been completed and construction of the park will begin soon. The local surfing community wants to leave the access road unchanged but improve some drainage issues. For more information, please visit SaveHonolua.org.

Surfrider Board Member Cliff Kapono by John Hook / @john_hook

Surfrider Board Member Cliff Kapono by John Hook / @john_hook