Hulihia

Currently with HULIHIA:

Revitalizing Lahaina: Harnessing Indigenous Wisdom, Community Insights, & Advanced Systems for a Resilient Future

Hulihia is committed to supporting the long-term revitalization of Lahaina. Our goal is to help create a resilient community by taking a holistic approach that merges indigenous wisdom, community insights, and advanced sustainability systems. Lahaina stands at a pivotal crossroads in the wake of challenges that demand not just responses, but resilient, forward-thinking strategies. 

Through applied sustainability and systems expertise, Hulihia will design dynamic systems models demonstrating the interconnections between natural, human, and built systems. These data-driven models support a deep analysis of various redevelopment scenarios and possible outcomes. The objective is to identify solutions that align with community needs and enhance the well-being of Lahaina residents. Hulihia does not make decisions on behalf of the community but provides decision-makers with a more comprehensive view to make well-informed decisions.

View our Project Overview to see our most recent work on recovery efforts. 

Wildfire Recovery Information Form

Hulihia has partnered with Maui United Way to create a centralized hub of the various organizations involved in the recovery process to streamline the recovery efforts and ensure that resources are being utilized effectively.

Our community organizations have been vital during these times, providing much-needed services and support. To better understand these efforts and identify gaps and needs in our community, we kindly request that organizations take a few minutes to fill out a brief information form.

Wildfire Recovery Form

Your input will greatly contribute to our collective efforts in the Lahaina recovery process.

WHY HULIHIA?

While there have been many initiatives on Maui in support of sustainability, we seek to unify these efforts to change the paradigm. As is common with most communities, this can be attributed to the complexities that arise from the breadth and duration of persistent sustainability issues. State-of-the-art practices in sustainability science provide new opportunities to implement a longer-term approach and to avoid unforeseen consequences which have resulted in taxing consequences to our community, resources, and ʻāina.
Understanding and addressing the problem rather than treating the symptoms will require a complete change in traditional methods of thinking, it’s time for hulihia.

HULI.HIA. PAS/IMP. OF HULI 1, 2; OVERTURNED; A COMPLETE CHANGE, OVERTHROW; TURNED UPSIDE DOWN


WHAT DO WE OFFER?

We strive to be the centralized location for sustainability in Maui Nui. In order to achieve this, Hulihia works with individual community members, decision-makers, and other stakeholders at all levels in order to maximize our current sustainability efforts as well as catalyze new initiatives. We provide unique resources to the Maui community so that our goals can be achieved concurrently.
  • ʻIke Kupuna (Ancestral Science) and sustainability expertise
  • Highly developed holistic processes
  • Centralized sustainability efforts

HULIHIA'S DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABILITY

A dynamic balance that can only be achieved by ensuring that all systems that support life are self-regulating and regenerative to meet population needs without producing irreversible adverse effects on the resources that make up these systems.

THEORY OF CHANGE

IF we engage the community by providing sustainable modeling rooted in ʻike kupuna,
THEN we will see better-informed decisions throughout Maui Nui that lead us towards a more balanced relationship with the ʻāina.


WE PLAN TO

  • Develop a center which houses the convergence of sustainability expertise and community resources focused on the Maui community.
  • Advance community decision making rooted in ʻike kupuna
  • Become a model for systems-driven sustainability

MEET THE TEAM

Amber Thompson


Sustainability Manager  
[email protected]

As a Sustainable Science Management BAS graduate from UH Maui College, I am thrilled to represent the program as the Sustainability Manager at Hulihia. As such, I lead our community-driven systems-based projects that advance sustainability across Maui Nui. My experience in management and non-profit operations has made me an effective project manager and team leader. I am passionate about promoting systems thinking in education, advocating for social justice, and supporting environmental stewardship.

Sommer "Kehau" Kimokeo

Indigenous Knowledge Specialist
[email protected]

Kehau Kimokeo is a Kanaka Maoli from Maui, a mother of three, part of the Paeloko Learning Center ʻohana, and a recent graduate of the Sustainable Science Management BAS with the Marine Concentration. Kehau joins this team with over 26 years of conservation and ʻāina-based experience from mauka to makai, non-profit work, community education and outreach, a love of natural resources, and Kānaka Maoli culture and traditions of Hawaiʻi. Kehau brings a Kanaka Maoli lens in all she faces and will always strive to further contribute to Maui Nuiʻs Lāhui.


CONTACT

If you would like to get in contact with Hulihia, please contact us at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as we can.