Our journey began with a simple but vital vision: to protect the Keaukaha we remember. 

In my childhood, the Keaukaha coastline felt intimate—a slow-paced sanctuary of calm and serenity. It was a place defined by familiar faces, where we gathered to engage with the ocean and recalibrate after a long week. I remember my mother relaxing in the open spaces while we explored. 

Waiuli was the heart of our ‘ohana celebrations, filled with swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. We found adventure in the wild growth of Kealoha Paka (4 Miles) and sought the crisp, cold spring waters of Leleiwi. From the homestead-reserved shores of Puhi-bay and Lehia to the familiar sands of Onekahakaha, it was a truly amazing place to grow up.

The idea of turning our shared community spaces into a commercial enterprise was once entirely foreign to Keaukaha. But like all well-kept secrets, the beauty of our coastline was eventually seen through a different lens—one that prioritized profit and a different kind of engagement with our home. Commercial tourism has rapidly increased along our coastline, particularly at Waiuli, changing the way visitors engage with the environment and surrounding community. There is a profound sadness in seeing the places we love change so drastically, instilling a growing need to return to a model of community-led care. 

This site was created from a place of deep love for our home, aiming to document the heavy impacts of commercial tourism while we work together to design and implement a community-driven path forward.

Join us in advocating for a model of tourism that respects our kapu (sacred resources) and follows our kanawai (management resolutions)

The Kuʻu Home Tourism Management Plan.