Sam Akoi IV has found a renewed sense of hope as he and his father remain on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands waiting list for agricultural and pastoral lands.
Their family’s ties to East Maui run deep, rooted in a struggle that spans generations, particularly highlighted by the passing of Akoi’s mother 15 years ago, who had been waiting for a homestead lease since the 1980s.
Now, plans for a significant 656-acre development in Hāna are being set in motion, promising a blend of agricultural homesteads, kūpuna housing, and community spaces.
Expressing his excitement, Akoi remarked, “It’s going to be beautiful to have our kānaka back on the ‘āina.”
This project, located in the Wākiu area, is set to transform a stretch of vacant land mauka of Hāna Highway.
Situated across from Hāna High and Elementary School and the Hāna Public Library, the proposed development aims to cater to the pressing housing and community needs of the region.
According to the environmental assessment released this past Sunday, the plans include 78 residential lots, each covering one acre.
In addition, there are provisions for 65 subsistence agricultural lots ranging from one to three acres, allowing for the potential of home construction.
The development also includes four pastoral lots of approximately 10 acres, community pastoral space, and 30 units dedicated to kūpuna housing across a total of 6.5 acres.
An intriguing aspect of the project is the potential inclusion of 31 three-acre agricultural homesteading lots under the Kuleana Homesteading program, which offers immediate access to land but without department-provided improvements.
Further community-oriented uses encompass 18.3 acres designated for a community center and park, 12.6 acres for a charter school and community garden, 11.6 acres dedicated to greenways and additional community gardens, and 7.7 acres allocated for a cemetery.
Moreover, about 2.5 acres will house a second community center, while 32.3 acres are earmarked for a solar energy system, contributing to sustainability efforts within the community.
An important aspect of this project is the conservation of local flora, with 138.8 acres reserved for the protection of hala and kukui groves, which hold significance for the community.
While the development has garnered support, it faces challenges, particularly from residents like Jade Alohalani Smith, founder of the Wākiu Community Development Corporation.
The organization has worked tirelessly to promote community involvement in the project, although Smith acknowledges concerns about attracting an influx of newcomers from outside the area, potentially straining local resources.
Despite these apprehensions, Smith emphasizes the critical need for housing in East Maui, especially for the area’s many multigenerational households.
In response to these challenges, her organization, established in 2019, has modeled its efforts on the Pā‘upena Community Development Corporation and consistently solicited public feedback through workshops, including the gathering of farm plan drawings.
In September 2022, the Wākiu Community Development Corporation collaborated with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to explore a master plan for the area.
Initially conceived as a broader initiative encompassing multiple East Maui communities, the focus shifted to the Wākiu area after neighboring residents in Ke‘anae and Wailuanui opted not to proceed with their plans.
The Wākiu project area is part of a larger 16,800-acre land transfer resulting from a 1995 settlement aimed at rectifying the state’s historical misuse of DHHL lands, as noted in project documents.
Planning efforts included extensive community outreach and the collection of indigenous knowledge, culminating in workshops held in April 2024.
The draft environmental assessment was released in February, with the finalized version ready for review this month.
Akoi, who serves as the president of the Wākiu Community Development Corporation board, expressed enthusiasm about reaching this significant phase of the project.
For years, he lamented that Hāna appeared sidelined from Department of Hawaiian Home Lands projects, resulting in many residents seeking opportunities elsewhere.
However, with the current development plans, he believes the community is now poised to receive a project that aligns with their values and traditions.
“Growing (food) is who the people are,” Akoi said.
He elaborated that the people of Hāna are inherently connected to the land through gathering, fishing, hunting, and sustainable practices such as lāʻau lapaʻau.
As a graduate of Hāna High and Elementary School, Akoi is deeply rooted in the area, tracing his family’s history back more than seven generations.
However, he also expresses concern about the future opportunities for his children and grandchildren regarding land inheritance.
At 57 years old, he believes that Native Hawaiians of his generation are among the last to meet the 50% blood quantum requirement for homestead leasing.
Akoi, who has approximately 82% Hawaiian lineage, notes that his children possess only about 41%, just missing the qualification threshold.
This sentiment resonates with fellow community member Claire Carroll, who lives near the Wākiu master plan area.
Carroll, possessing 50% Native Hawaiian ancestry, worries about whether there will be enough locals in East Maui able to qualify for the homesteading opportunities.
“Hopefully the laws change soon so that our children can benefit from getting a home one day,” Carroll said, although she is currently not on the waiting list due to owning a home.
Carroll reflects on her childhood, riding horses and traversing the backroads adjacent to the project area, voicing concerns about potential impacts on the local water table, which is crucial for the Hāna community.
She also emphasizes the need for proper infrastructure, such as sidewalks, to accommodate the growing neighborhood and local school.
In the project’s final assessment, the department acknowledged community concerns regarding blood quantum qualifications and mentioned that it is currently reviewing its policies, with proposals for updates anticipated in early 2026.
The environmental assessment did not provide a specific timeline for the project, stating that it hinges on approvals for environmental and construction permits from various agencies.
The development is expected to be executed in four phases, with the first phase likely including the hala forest, some residential lots, and the greenway/community garden.
Smith remains optimistic about the project’s qualifications, noting that an interest list of prospective residents has decreased from over 200 to approximately 150, as some individuals have moved away or passed on.
Currently, she manages around 75 heads of cattle on a larger parcel of land in Kaupō, with plans to transition to a smaller pastoral lot in Wākiu if possible.
Smith appreciates the diverse mix of housing and farming options within the development, underscoring the importance of ensuring that the next generation secures the opportunities they deserve.
“Put yourself in our situation — your kids need homes, right?” she urges those hesitant about the department’s involvement in the area.
Maui County Council Member Shane Sinenci, representing the East Maui residency seat, highlighted the essential need for Hawaiian Homelands projects to reflect the community’s deep connections to the land.
He expressed hope that former residents who had to leave East Maui due to a lack of homestead opportunities will be able to return.
Sinenci poignantly stated, “The more we fail to house Native Hawaiians, the more we fail to establish home equity and generational wealth through homeownership.”
image source from：https://mauinow.com/2025/06/11/department-of-hawaiian-home-lands-656-acre-project-of-farms-homes-public-spaces-in-hana-moves-forward/
