The Hōʻahu Kauaʻi Land Tax directly supports protection and restoration of family lands threatened by sale and development. Hōʻahu is part of the global "Landback" movement to restore ʻāina to indigenous peoples and ensure they can care for and protect their ancestral lands - places vital to us all.  

​

Background

Hawaiʻi is ʻāina kulaiwi: the only homeland of the indigenous people of Hawaiʻi, land in which the bones of our ancestors are buried.  The lands of Hawaiʻi are the source of all Native Hawaiian cultural practices and language and also some of the most coveted and high value real estate in the entire world. Anyone visiting, buying or living upon lands in Hawaiʻi shares a kuleana to care for this place, work to address historical injustice, and leave it better than we found it.  

Hōʻahu ("to set aside for the future") refers to hale hōʻahu, houses where area residents brought regular offerings of their harvest, gathered, then saved to care for the needs of the entire community. Hale hōʻahu provided collective security for times of unstable weather, drought or famine, preparing communities for uncertainty. Hōʻahu, in times of need and plenty, cultivated shared abundance and care for all.