Mālama ʻĀina

Mālama ʻĀina stories published in Maui Nō Ka ʻOi Magazine.

sustainability

Remarkable Resorts

Highlighting local businesses that give back to the island.
Waihee wetlands

Frozen in Time

An ancient crustacean could hold the key to restoring an endemic plant species and protecting Maui against climate change.

Current Attractions at Maui Ocean Center

Maui Ocean Center’s temporary residents have lasting lessons to teach.
native Hawaiian flowers

Beach Beauties

Enjoying native Hawaiian flora doesn’t require a foray into the mountains; many beautiful blooms love the beach as much as we do.
Kahekili Reef

Let Them Eat Algae

Kā‘anapali’s marine reserve is protecting the reef by protecting the fish.
maui koa guitars

Sound Investment (VIDEO)

Haleakala Ranch goes out on a limb to conserve native forest — by harvesting trees to transform into koa guitars.
maui bugs

Hawai‘i’s Curious Critters

Photographer Zach Pezzillo is an unabashed enthusiast of insects and other small creatures.
Hawaiian snails

A Snail’s Pace

No one knows for sure how many Hawaiian land snails still exist.
Upcycling

Upcycling

Turn trash into treasure with three "upcycling" DIY projects.
help maui forest birds

Speaking for the Forest

Malama Wao Akua, a juried art show cosponsored by the East Maui Watershed Partnership and Viewpoints Gallery in Makawao, celebrates 10 years this fall.

Be a Hero!

If you care about something, you take care of it. Maui offers many ways to gain that sense of belonging, as these volunteers can attest.
Lichens heterodermia

Before the First Hawaiians

The life forms that originally colonized these islands may have been neither plant nor animal. And they're still here.
humpback whale baby

Fathoming a Mystery

Whale watching on Maui is not just about seeing, but listening too. New research tells us the truth about how whales interact and why they sing.

2012 Environmental Heroes

Our five environmental heroes for 2012 are saving the planet and paving the way for a greener future for Maui, Hawaii and the rest of the world.
EVA smart grid Maui

Maui EVA & the Smart Grid

The Maui Electric Vehicle Alliance is working to jump start an electric car revolution on the island, helping the environment and gas prices.
Wainapanapa Black Sand

The Microscopic Marvel of Sand

Discover the scientific story behind Maui's colored sand beaches.
hawaii dolphins

Dancers of the Deep

Some eight species of dolphins call Hawaii’s waters home; one is the best twirling dolphin in the world.

2011 Environmental Heroes

We recognize a few individuals who make Maui no ka oi by protecting the environment, preserving indigenous wisdom, building sustainable communities.
sea life

The Reef Around Us

Nudibranchs that dance, parrotfish that change their sex, and punk-rock wrasses are just a few of Maui's underwater wonders.
hawaiian forests

Guardians of the Watershed

We celebrate The Nature Conservancy's thirty years in Hawai'i with a visit to its crown jewel, Waikamoi cloud forest.

2010 Environmental Heroes

Meet seven Maui residents who display a heroic commitment to our island's environment.
limu

The Lure of Limu

The study of seaweed has enabled Hawaiian women—past and present—to sharpen their scientific eye, flavor bland meals, and exercise the art of metaphor.
Auwahi

Miracle on the Mountain

Pull on some boots, grab a digging stick, and help bring a Hawaiian dryland forest back from the brink.
kapalua coastal trail

Happy Trails

Isao Nakagawa monitors the largest known colony of wedge-tailed shearwaters in Maui, nestled along the idyllic Kapalua Coastal Trail.
whale photography up close

In Pursuit of Song

For researcher Jim Darling, the song of the humpback whale may hold the key to understanding this remarkable creature.
wiliwili

Saving the Wiliwili

A tiny wasp from Tanzania may be the last, best hope for one of the native Hawaiian wiliwili trees.
Bob and Lisa Richardson

Environmental Heroes 2009

Meet some ordinary people whose super power is an unflagging commitment to Maui's natural environment.

Maui Events & News

Imua Family Services’ Will Smith Discovery Garden

A World of Pure Imagination  Story by Savy Janssen Photographs by Jason Moore  Sunlight filtered through the outstretched arms of the 120-year-old monkey pod trees, and...

In Season

Becky's Backyard