Preserving a century-old reservoir and restoring the Kalihiwai ahupua'a for future generations — from the mountains to the sea.
Mauka to Makai is a proposed 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and cultural stewardship of the Kalihiwai Reservoir and surrounding watershed on Kaua'i's North Shore.
The Kalihiwai Reservoir is a century-old man-made body of water originally constructed during the plantation era to support sugarcane irrigation on Kaua'i's North Shore. For over 100 years, it has served as a vital freshwater resource, a home to native and migratory species, and a gathering place for the local community.
Today, the reservoir is privately held under a Homeowners Association — a governance structure that was never designed to manage critical water infrastructure or preserve cultural resources. HOA management creates unsustainable financial burdens on a small group of homeowners, limits access to public grant funding, and leaves the reservoir vulnerable to deferred maintenance and potential failure.
Mauka to Makai was conceived to transition ownership and management of the reservoir from the private HOA to a public nonprofit structure — unlocking access to government grants, reducing individual liability, and ensuring long-term preservation of this irreplaceable resource through professional stewardship rooted in Hawaiian cultural values.
Caring for the land — stewardship over ownership, sustainability over extraction.
Shared responsibility — the reservoir belongs to the community, not to any individual.
Honoring the ahupua'a system — reconnecting mountain watershed to ocean ecosystems.
Public accountability through nonprofit structure, open meetings, and annual reporting.
The Kalihiwai Reservoir tells the story of Kaua'i's transformation from traditional Hawaiian land management to plantation agriculture and beyond.
The Kalihiwai Valley was a thriving ahupua'a — a traditional Hawaiian land division stretching from the mountain peaks (mauka) to the sea (makai). Hawaiians managed the watershed through an intricate system of lo'i kalo (taro terraces), 'auwai (irrigation channels), and loko i'a (fishponds), creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that supported a significant population. The valley's abundant freshwater, flowing from Nāmolokama Mountain, was channeled through terraced agriculture down to the coast, where brackish water fishponds captured nutrients from both mountain and sea.
During the expansion of sugarcane agriculture on Kaua'i, the reservoir was constructed to store irrigation water for the Kilauea Sugar Plantation. Like many plantation-era infrastructure projects across Hawai'i, it fundamentally altered the natural hydrology of the Kalihiwai watershed. The dam captured water that would have naturally flowed through the traditional 'auwai system, redirecting it for commercial agriculture. While the reservoir served the plantation's needs, it disrupted centuries of Hawaiian water management practices.
The devastating 1946 and 1957 tsunamis dramatically reshaped the Kalihiwai coastline and community. These events destroyed much of the original Kalihiwai settlement at the river mouth and fundamentally changed the relationship between the upland reservoir area and the coastal zone. The tsunamis serve as a reminder of the dynamic forces that shape North Shore communities and the importance of resilient infrastructure and land management practices.
When sugar plantations closed across Kaua'i, former plantation lands were subdivided and sold for residential development. The Kalihiwai Reservoir and surrounding infrastructure were transferred to a Homeowners Association as part of the subdivision process. This placed the burden of maintaining a century-old water infrastructure on a small group of residential homeowners — a structure fundamentally ill-suited to the scope and responsibility of reservoir management.
The catastrophic April 2018 floods on Kaua'i's North Shore brought over 50 inches of rain in 24 hours, causing widespread damage and bringing renewed attention to dam safety across the island. The event underscored the vulnerability of aging plantation-era water infrastructure and the critical importance of professional maintenance, safety inspections, and emergency preparedness — responsibilities that far exceed the capacity of a residential HOA.
Today, the Kalihiwai Reservoir stands at a crossroads. The HOA faces escalating maintenance costs, dam safety compliance requirements, liability exposure, and deferred maintenance — all without access to the public funding mechanisms designed to support exactly this kind of infrastructure. Mauka to Makai represents a path forward: transitioning the reservoir to nonprofit ownership that can access government grants, engage professional management, and restore the cultural and ecological significance of this century-old resource.
Understanding the traditional Hawaiian land management system that Mauka to Makai seeks to honor and restore.
The wao akua (realm of the gods) and wao nahele (forest zone) where rainfall is captured by native forests. Watershed protection ensures clean water flows downhill through the ahupua'a. The upland forests of Kalihiwai, fed by Nāmolokama's legendary rains, are the source of all freshwater in the system.
The cultivation zone where 'auwai (irrigation channels) directed water through lo'i kalo (taro terraces) in a cascading system. The Kalihiwai Reservoir sits in this middle zone — where plantation infrastructure replaced traditional Hawaiian water management. Restoring this zone means reconnecting upland water sources to downstream ecosystems.
Where fresh and salt water meet, traditionally home to loko i'a (fishponds) and nearshore fisheries. The health of the coastal zone depends entirely on proper water management upstream. The Kalihiwai River mouth and bay were once among the most productive fishing grounds on Kaua'i's North Shore.
The ahupua'a was the fundamental unit of Hawaiian resource management — a pie-shaped land division typically running from the mountain ridge to the outer reef. Each ahupua'a contained all the resources a community needed: freshwater, agricultural land, forest products, and ocean resources. The system was managed by an ali'i (chief) with the guidance of a konohiki (resource manager) who ensured sustainable use.
The genius of the ahupua'a system was its recognition that mountain, valley, and ocean are one interconnected system. Water flowing from the upland forests carried nutrients through agricultural terraces, enriching taro patches before flowing to coastal fishponds where the nutrient-rich freshwater mixed with seawater to create highly productive aquaculture environments.
The Kalihiwai ahupua'a was particularly significant, blessed with abundant rainfall from Nāmolokama — one of the wettest spots on earth. The valley supported extensive taro cultivation and the river mouth hosted productive fisheries. The name "Kalihiwai" itself speaks to the area's relationship with flowing water.
Mauka to Makai takes its name from this holistic worldview. Our mission is not simply to maintain a dam — it is to restore the connection between mountain and sea, to manage the reservoir as one part of a living watershed system, and to honor the Hawaiian cultural practices that sustained this land for centuries before plantation agriculture disrupted them.
A century-old freshwater resource that requires professional stewardship to survive the next hundred years.
The reservoir faces a convergence of structural, financial, and governance challenges that the existing HOA structure cannot adequately address:
Hawai'i's dam safety regulations (administered by DLNR) require all dam owners to maintain Emergency Action Plans (EAPs), conduct regular safety inspections, and meet specific engineering standards. These requirements are designed for institutional owners — government agencies, utilities, and large landholders — not residential homeowners associations.
Key compliance areas include: periodic dam safety inspections by licensed engineers, Emergency Action Plan development and updates, inundation mapping and downstream hazard assessment, instrumentation and monitoring programs, maintenance documentation and record-keeping, and coordination with county emergency management.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit with professional staff and grant funding is far better positioned to meet these requirements than a volunteer HOA board, reducing risk for both the reservoir and the downstream community.
A structured transition from private HOA ownership to public nonprofit stewardship, opening access to government funding while eliminating personal liability for homeowners.
Form Mauka to Makai as a Hawai'i nonprofit corporation and apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS. Develop articles of incorporation, bylaws, and governance structure with board positions reflecting community, cultural, and technical expertise.
The nonprofit's stated purposes would include water resource preservation, cultural restoration, environmental conservation, and community education — all qualifying activities under 501(c)(3).
Legal Formation IRS FilingNegotiate the transfer of reservoir property and infrastructure from the HOA to the nonprofit. This involves property surveys, title research, environmental assessments, and potentially a conservation easement to ensure permanent protection.
The HOA would formally vote to convey the reservoir parcel and associated water rights to the nonprofit. Homeowners benefit through elimination of dam liability, reduced HOA assessments, and potential charitable contribution deductions.
Property Transfer HOA VoteAs a 501(c)(3), pursue federal and state infrastructure grants, conservation funding, cultural preservation grants, and private foundation support. Develop a diversified funding model including grants, donations, and potential earned revenue from educational programs.
Key funding sources include FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grants, USDA Water Programs, Hawai'i Community Foundation, OHA grants, DLNR watershed partnerships, and federal infrastructure funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Grant Access FundraisingThe transition requires careful legal structuring to protect all parties and ensure the reservoir's long-term preservation:
The transition to nonprofit ownership provides substantial benefits to current HOA members and the broader community:
As a 501(c)(3), Mauka to Makai can access a wide range of public and private funding sources currently unavailable to an HOA.
FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program fund dam rehabilitation, spillway improvements, and flood risk reduction. Hawai'i's history of flood disasters qualifies the state for ongoing HMGP funding.
USDA's Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program (PL-566) and Emergency Watershed Protection Program fund dam rehabilitation for rural communities. The NRCS also offers technical assistance for watershed planning and dam assessments.
The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated significant new funding for dam safety and rehabilitation, including the High Hazard Potential Dam Rehabilitation Program. Nonprofits managing dams are eligible applicants for these newly expanded programs.
HCF manages over $900 million in assets and funds environmental conservation, community resilience, and cultural preservation across Hawai'i. Their CHANGE Framework and environmental grantmaking align closely with Mauka to Makai's mission.
OHA's community grants program funds projects that benefit the Hawaiian community, including cultural site preservation, environmental restoration, and community capacity building. The ahupua'a restoration component of Mauka to Makai aligns with OHA's mission.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources supports watershed partnerships and conservation initiatives across Hawai'i. The Kaua'i Watershed Alliance and related programs fund invasive species management, watershed restoration, and water quality monitoring.
NFWF's Hawai'i programs fund native species habitat restoration, invasive species control, and freshwater ecosystem conservation. The reservoir's potential as native waterbird habitat (endangered koloa, 'alae ke'oke'o, ae'o) makes it a strong candidate.
As a 501(c)(3), all donations are tax-deductible, enabling community fundraising events, annual giving campaigns, and planned giving programs. The reservoir's visibility and community significance make it a compelling fundraising cause for both residents and visitors.
The convergence of aging infrastructure, climate change, regulatory pressure, and new funding opportunities creates a narrow window for action.
The dam is over 100 years old. Plantation-era construction methods and materials have a finite lifespan. Every year of deferred maintenance increases the cost and complexity of eventual rehabilitation. The longer we wait, the more expensive and risky the situation becomes.
Kaua'i's North Shore is experiencing increasingly intense rainfall events. The 2018 floods demonstrated what extreme weather can do. Climate projections suggest more frequent high-intensity rain events, putting additional stress on aging dam infrastructure designed for historical rainfall patterns.
As dam owners, HOA members carry significant personal liability. A dam failure or flood event could result in catastrophic downstream damage and legal claims that would far exceed any insurance coverage. The nonprofit transition eliminates this personal exposure for homeowners.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created unprecedented new funding for dam safety and rehabilitation. These federal programs have specific funding windows that won't last forever. Establishing the nonprofit now positions Kalihiwai to compete for these once-in-a-generation infrastructure dollars.
Beyond preservation — a living watershed that reconnects community, culture, and ecology from mountain to sea.
A professionally managed reservoir providing long-term freshwater security for the Kalihiwai community, with modern dam safety systems and emergency preparedness.
Restoration of traditional Hawaiian water management practices including lo'i kalo (taro terraces) and 'auwai (irrigation channels) as living cultural demonstrations within the watershed.
Restoration of native riparian and wetland habitat supporting endangered Hawaiian waterbirds including koloa (Hawaiian duck), 'alae ke'oke'o (Hawaiian coot), and ae'o (Hawaiian stilt).
Outdoor classroom and field study programs for Kaua'i schools, connecting students with watershed science, Hawaiian cultural practices, and environmental stewardship.
A restored and accessible community resource for responsible recreation, cultural events, and community gatherings — a place that brings people together around shared stewardship.
Exploring the potential for traditional Hawaiian aquaculture practices — loko i'a (fishpond) principles adapted to the freshwater reservoir environment, producing food while maintaining ecological health.
A governance model that balances community voice, cultural knowledge, and technical expertise.
Mauka to Makai's governance structure is designed to ensure the reservoir is managed with the right combination of community accountability, cultural sensitivity, and technical competence. The board of directors reflects the diverse stakeholders who depend on the reservoir's health and the watershed's integrity.
Board members serve staggered terms to ensure continuity, and the bylaws require that at minimum one-third of board seats be held by community members from the Kalihiwai area. Cultural advisory positions ensure that Hawaiian values and practices remain central to all decision-making.
The nonprofit operates with full transparency — annual reports, public board meetings, audited financial statements, and regular community updates. This stands in contrast to the more limited governance structure of a private HOA, and builds the public trust necessary for grant funding and community support.
Kalihiwai area residents including current HOA members, ensuring continuity and local voice in reservoir management decisions.
A practitioner of Hawaiian cultural traditions with knowledge of ahupua'a-based resource management, lo'i kalo cultivation, or traditional aquaculture.
A licensed professional engineer with dam safety, hydrology, or water resources expertise to guide infrastructure decisions.
Representative from the conservation community — watershed management, native species habitat, or environmental science background.
A community member with nonprofit management, fundraising, or legal expertise to support organizational sustainability.
Whether you're a Kalihiwai resident, a water resource professional, a cultural practitioner, or simply someone who cares about preserving Kaua'i's natural and cultural heritage — there's a role for you.
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