About Hawaii Island Land Trust

Hawai’i Island Land Trust (HILT) was organized in 2001 as a community-based, non-political, tax-exempt organization. HILT’s purpose is to facilitate the protection of environmentally-sensitive lands, open space, agricultural and ranching lands, cultural sites, and historically significant areas that are important for present and future generations.

As a land trust, HILT seeks to receive donations of conservation easements and land, and to purchase land, to protect the important values of these lands forever.

We work with landowners, land managers, and developers who voluntarily choose to protect their land. We also work with local residents, community leaders, private and public organizations, and governmental agencies to coordinate and maximize the potential of public and private resources. Cooperating and collaborating with local communities, HILT strives to provide an inclusive approach to land preservation on the Island of Hawai’i.

Our Goals

Hawai’i Island Land Trust has three main goals:

Goal 1: Land Protection
Continue on-going programs to successfully acquire and protect important lands across the Island of Hawai’i.

Goal 2: Public Awareness and Education
Educate and build alliances with community residents, landowners, other organizations, the business community, and governmental agencies to protect important lands across the Island of Hawai’i.

Goal 3: Our Organization
Continue a strong, growing, and respected land trust with diversified sources of public support.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Hawai’i Island Land Trust is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors. There are three active committees, including an Executive Committee (working with the Executive Director in administering organizational and financial matters), a Lands Committee (researching and reporting on potential donations and purchases of conservation easements and land as well as all of the programs of HILT), and a Fundraising Committee (charged with the task of raising funds and promoting HILT). There are many active volunteers working with the committees and the staff of HILT.

Mike Katz, our President, is a tax consultant and financial advisor, and provides financial, technological, and general management consulting to his clients. In addition, he and his partner, Lawton Allenby, also own an architecture and construction administration company besides operating a 5-acre farm in Kealakekua. Mike has experienced, first hand, the positive impacts that land trusts can make in local communities. He currently serves on boards and advisory councils for several nonprofits. He chairs HILT’s Executive Committee.

Richard Bennett, Ph.D., is our Vice-President. Before moving to Hawai’i, he was active in two land trusts in Northern California that have collectively protected over 40,000 acres, including many important lands within an hour’s drive of San Francisco. Rick is a consulting medical and environmental microbiologist with clients here and on the mainland. He also owns and operates an organic farm in South Kona which he manages according to his motto, “because the ocean matters.” Rick is a member of HILT’s Executive Committee and Lands Committee.

Stephanie Amick is our Secretary and a retired school teacher, having taught school for 30 years in Southern California. She has a Master’s degree in Education and a special education credential from California State University. She is certificated in Hawai’i as a Master Gardener. Stephanie is a member of the Board of Directors for Keoua Honaunau Canoe Club and the Kona Pacific Farmers Cooperative. She’s a member of HILT’s Executive Committee.

Larry Baird is one of HILT’s initial directors and now chairs our Lands Committee. He has been a professional real estate appraiser on Hawai’i Island for more than 30 years and is sought out for his expertise and knowledge in the field. His daughter, Joelle, works with him at his office in Honalo Business Center. He and his wife Sandi also maintain a farm in Captain Cook.

Sharon Brown joined the board as a director in 2006. She has been a full-time Realtor here in West Hawai’i with Coldwell Bankers/Maryl Realty for more than five years. Sharon is an Accredited Buyer Representative and a Certified Residential Specialist. She lives with her husband, Butch Porter, a unique woodworking artist, in Kaloko Mauka. She currently chairs our Fundraising Committee for HILT.

Patrick Charles Fisher is a sixth-generation descendant here in the Islands and spent his boyhood in Kula, Maui. Pat has a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University in wildlife biology. He is a free-lance wildlife tour guide and often takes people on Parker Ranch tours. Pat, who also joined our board as a director in 2006, says, “I love working and living off the land and have a deep respect and appreciation for our unique ‘aina.”

Kaleo Kuali’i is a Native Hawaiian who was born and raised in Kona. He also joined our board as a director in 2006. Kaleo is a Hawaiian Cultural Consultant who serves a select number of clients including several Native Hawaiian families here in Kona. He graduated from Konawaena High School and continues his education at West Hawai’i Community College. He has a fierce loyalty to the families and lands of Kona and lends his considerable expertise to all who asks. Kaleo is a member of HILT’s Lands Committee.

Call 1-808-324-4458

Hawaii Island Land Trust, PO Box 976, Kealakekua, HI 96750
info@hawaiilandtrust.org |Tel. 808-324-4458

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