Restoring Balance on Lānaʻi: Community Stewardship and Conservation Efforts

December 2025 — December on Lānaʻi brings cooler winds, quiet skies and a rhythm that invites reflection. It’s a time to think about what sustains us — our families, traditions and most importantly, our ʻāina. Yet even in this peaceful season, the island faces a long-standing environmental challenge.

Axis deer and mouflon sheep, introduced decades ago, have thrived without predators. They consume native plants, allow invasive species to spread and contribute to soil erosion that impacts reefs and watersheds. For a small island like Lānaʻi, these effects touch everything — from cultural practices to food security.

To restore balance, the Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center leads the Community Stewardship Hunting Program, part of the Kuahiwi a Kai Lānaʻi Watershed Conservation Program supported by Pūlama Lānaʻi and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation. Up to 30 licensed residents hunt in designated windward zones daily using approved firearms or bows. With no bag limits, the goal is restoration, not recreation. Hunters focus on does and ewes to control populations and commit to volunteer events to protect the island’s fragile biocultural landscape.

December also offers ways for the community to connect and celebrate while supporting the ʻāina. On Saturday, December 6, the Maui County Farmers Market runs from 7 to 11 am, featuring local produce, native plants, and island-grown food. That afternoon, the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival 2025 takes place from 1 to 7 pm on the Dole Administration Building lawn, with holiday festivities and new Lānaʻi CHC apparel. On Monday, December 15, the Semi-Annual Stewardship Hunting Meeting at the Filipino Clubhouse provides updates and space for community discussion about ongoing conservation efforts.

On Lānaʻi, we live by the principle that mālama ʻāina, and the ʻāina will mālama you. Every deer or sheep harvested, every native plant protected and every shared meal is an act of aloha ʻāina — honoring ancestors, strengthening community and ensuring future generations inherit a healthy, thriving island. Stewardship is about belonging to the land, feeling its mana and understanding our role in its story. This December, join Lānaʻi’s community stewardship programs and events to care for the ʻāina we love.