Tri-Isle

Several generous donors provided most of the funding (utilizing Tri-Isle as the umbrella non-profit) to purchase a jet ski which was then dedicated to Maui County for County lifeguards in South Kihei for use in rescue and safety patrol.

HTA funding was acquired for Kihei Boat ramp improvement activities. The funding (with local match) was used to purchase and install benches and interpretive signage, and to improve trail access and restoration and reestablishment of native Hawaiian coastal plants which protect the boat landing periphery and dunes. The harbor had accumulated excessive sediment (sand) over many years from beach erosion and runoff which was threatening boat access. The second phase of the project utilized additional funding to dredge the sand and make it available for beach enrichment at Kamaole Park.

The trail project originally included informational signage but was expanded in 2007 through an HTA award to Tri-Isle and Na ala Hele to install a viewing platform, boardwalk and native plantings at the trailhead near Kahakuloa town. Plans were prepared, a shoreline Survey and E/A, completed and DLNR finalized the SMA. Construction on the project began in August 2008 and was completed by early September. Native species were planted in the fall along the side of the sidewalk corridor. The project is located at Papanalahoa Point on Honoapiilani Highway approximately 2 miles northwest of Kahakaloa town.

along a long stretch of publicly owned wild coast on the North Shore of Maui (Hawaii).

Kanaha Beach Restoration

The Erythrina Gall Wasp invaded the islands in 2005 and in less than a year, had a devastating effect and threatened the very existence of native wiliwili (Erythrina sandwiencis), a keystone species of Hawaii dryland forest ecosystems. Tri-Isle provided fiscal oversight of a Maui County emergency response grant allowing researchers to travel to Africa to collect potential biocontrol species to be used in long term mitigation and survival of the wiliwili dryland forest.

The purpose of this project was to provide food product development services for Maui’s entrepreneurs for their value added products. An OED grant for the center was awarded for initial planning and startup. The Center was established in a partnership with the Maui Culinary Academy and secured space in the Lokahi Pacific Incubator next to the Iao Theater.

The annual Maui Chinese New Year Celebrations support Wailuku Revitalization efforts and puts additional energy back into an historic town center. The event is held annually on Market Street, the commercial core of the town and gives a boost to existing and new merchants while celebrating the Chinese Heritage of many local residents and celebrating the new year. The Eleventh Annual Chinese New Year was held in 2010. The Year of the Tiger (2010) celebrations were celebrated in the middle of February.

was produced and continues to be distributed to promote alternative transportation, recreation and energy conservation for Maui County’s residents and visitors. It is available for purchase through local bicycle shops and directly from Tri-Isle. New funds are being sought to provide updates and to continue to print the map.

The NRCS Field Office approached Tri-Isle regarding a partnership on a web site to provide information on the Farm Bill and additional contact information. USFWS and DLNR/DOFAW also approached us to develop a similar web site for permitting and licensing information at the state level.

An educational tour of several prominent Maui agricultural tourism farms was conducted for selected Molokai Ag Development Program awardees to expand their understanding and appreciation of a successful agtour business model.

Initiated by Senator Inouye’s office to help transition plantation agriculture to diversified farming, this program has supported agricultural business opportunities first on Molokai to emphasize appropriate models of sustainability and promote local community values and benefits. Later, the program was expanded to the rest of the Hawaiian Islands. TIRCD also administers the Maui ADP. Steered by local advisory committees, the program provides cost-share grants to beginning and established farm businesses to grow, diversify, develop value added products, marketing strategies, and other methods of developing viable businesses. In the first 8 years, MoADP and MaADP have provided training workshops and individual coaching to applicants and grantees. The variety of applicant projects has included organic and conventional diversified ag, permaculture, consumer supported ag, floriculture, specialty crops, and group projects including cooperatives. Seventy four projects have been awarded grants totaling more than $1.6 million for developing local ag businesses. Local match exceeds $320,000. Training scholarships were provided to MADP participants for a number of workshops. Recently, funding has been received every year except FY-07. While funding in 2009 dipped to $50,000 each, the funding in FY-10 amounted to $ 241,000 each for the Moloka`i and Maui/Lana`i ADP projects.

Structural repair of the Keanae flume has ensured a dependable water supply for the long term viability of traditional taro production as well as diversified vegetable farming in the Keanae Community in East Maui. Initial repairs were made of the upper pier sections. The second phase was recently completed to address erosion undercutting on the pier foundations. Reinforced concrete rubble masonry was used to repair and stabilize the piers which will extend the life of the flume for many years.

Tri-isle provides fiscal oversight to Maui Aloha Aina Association http://www.mauialohaaina.org in conducting their annual educational conferences. The purpose of Maui Aloha Aina Association is “To promote life giving practices for the body and the soil through educational outreach” to assist conducting the soil health conference held in October 2006. The conference promoted holistic food production and healthy lifestyle choices.

This project was originally funded as part of the Molokai Ag Development Program. The purpose is to reestablish and reclaim traditional taro farming in Halawa Valley as well as promote ag tourism as a viable business which include interpretive tours to Moaula Falls and cultural history of one of Hawaii’s earliest settlements. Long-term goals are to revive the economy of East Molokai and to reestablish traditional farming in Halawa Valley.

Tri-Isle received a small County grant ($1,847) to begin the process of designing graphics for signage for Ag tourism sites. We are working with the County of Maui Office of Economic Development on this joint project. It is anticipated that Tri-Isle will submit additional applications to support these activities in the future.