In a long-awaited finale to a conservation quest, Honolulu has secured the last piece of the Paikō Ridge jigsaw, per an announcement by the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Housing and Land Management. The protection of an additional 3.5 acres, noted on Thursday, by the Honolulu Government's official release, wraps up the safeguarding of a culturally and environmentally pivotal region on O'ahu. Through a $1.7 million investment, this acquisition intends to protect watershed lands, natural habitats, as well as culturally significant sites.
Honolulu's mayor, Rick Blangiardi, was joined by Council Chair Tommy Waters and representatives from local groups Kupaʻāina o Kuliʻouʻou and Livable Hawai‘i Kai Hui to celebrate this major conservation milestone which highlights not only years of collaborative efforts but also the commitment to preserve the island's history and natural resources for future lineage, "This closing marks an important milestone for Honolulu and for the community partners who have worked tirelessly to protect Paikō Ridge," Blangiardi remarked, reflecting on the successful culmination of the decades-spanning initiative, as noted by the same release.
The land in question, historically revered by Native Hawaiians for its abundant water resources, is replete with archaeological sites that evidence traditional land use, such as terraces and planting pits; the project paves the way for maintaining the area's natural beauty and preventing erosion, all the while bolstering local watershed health. According to Honolulu's press release, the Paikō Ridge property occupied a place of capu under Kamehameha the Great, indicating the long-standing reverence for these lands.
Ownership of the newly conserved parcels now falls to Kupaʻāina o Kuliʻouʻou, with Waipākawiwoʻole Parker, the board's president expressing a deep sense of duty, "This easement represents a commitment to caring for this land as our kūpuna once did," striking a chord of responsibility borne from past generations, ownership transfers to this day, reflect a continuum of stewardship values. The easement ensures the conservation of exceptional viewpoints and the protection of vital water resources, as lauded by Ernest Y.W. Lau, Honolulu Board of Water Supply’s Manager and Chief Engineer, who cited the ridge's critical role in supporting the island's water supply, according to the Honolulu Government's website.
This significant ecological triumph underscores the commitment outlined in the city's Clean Water and Natural Lands (CWNL) program, where a portion of real estate taxes fuels the preservation of O'ahu's cultural and natural treasures according to the official announcement. Elizabeth Reilly, President of Livable Hawai‘i Kai Hui, emphasized the landmark moment, tying together over 300 acres of conserved land along the ridge.
