MĀLAMA I KE KAI ‘O WAIPI‘O

Community. Connection. Stewardship.

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Our mission is to ensure ocean access for Hawaii Island residents to perpetuate traditional forms of wave riding, fishing, gathering, and other shoreline activities that sustain a thriving Waipi‘o Valley.

Days since Emergency Proclamation. 

  • SIGN THE PETITION
    On Feb. 25, 2022 Waipi’o Valley access was cut off to the community under Mayor Mitch Roth’s Emergency Proclamation. Access was allowed for some while denied to others. Sign the petition to show support for community access.
  • STAY UPDATED
    Visit our News page where you can join our mailing list, link to press articles, and stay informed about community events.
  • LINK TO SURVEY
    If you are a Hawai‘i resident,  have a strong history of connection to Waipi‘o,  and are concerned about being denied access, please link above to submit a testimonial. Itʻs important that the mayor understand the diversity in our community.

TESTIMONIALS

Why is Waipi’o important to you? 

Sally Lundburg

My husband and I live in Paauilo Mauka and work full-time jobs at local schools. We also maintain our family homestead, so do not have a lot of free time. Other than Waipi‘o, there are no nearby areas to safely access the ocean as a family. Surfing for us is exercise, stress relief, and a way to strengthen relationships in the community. Accessing our local shoreline is a cultural and family practice and we feel it is important to share this with our daughter.

Sally Lundburg
Della Stallsmith

I am 17, and I grew up in Honokaa. Waipi’o is where my brother and I learned to swim, learned to respect the ocean, and learned about the spiritual and cultural aspects of the land. I think that for the youth of our community, the valley teaches us about ourselves and makes us better people. The kids of Honokaa are nurtured by the waters of Waipi’o and I feel that there is a large community of people who will suffer if the valley is restricted. I also feel that we can create a compromise to ensure that the Valley and the community is well cared for. Mahalo!

Della Stallsmith
John Fero

Waipi’o is the place where I learned to swim, to surf, to dive and fish. I’m 36 now and it’s where I have been teaching my 3 children to swim, to surf, to fish and to dive …. Itʻs been a vital role in allowing me to continue to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture. Waipi’o to my family and I is like our church.

John Fero