The Conservancy's conservation work in Hawai'i spans from mauka (mountain) to makai (sea). Our vision is to protect the largest remaining native forest and near-shore marine ecosystems in the main Hawaiian Islands and Palmyra Atoll.

To achieve this vision, the Conservancy's efforts are focused on four major conservation initiatives:

Climate Change

Climate change is already beginning to transform life on Earth, and poses one of the greatest threats to people and nature. Here in our islands, so many native species are already endangered. Climate changes such as increased temperatures and rising sea levels could further threaten our native forests, our watersheds, our low-lying atolls and coastal communities, and our reefs — and the lives of future generations. Find out how the Conservancy is tackling this global issue on a local level.

Hawaii's native forests are biological treasures, sheltering thousands of native species found nowhere else on Earth. These forests provide the islands with almost all of its fresh water, ensure the health of its reefs and beaches, and are vital to the survival of Hawaiian cultural practices. The Conservancy has been a pioneer in large-scale forest protection efforts in Hawai`i. Today we are partnering with local communities and more than 60 public and private landowners to protect critical forest and conservation lands across the state.

Hawaii's coral reefs and waters are home to more than 7,500 marine life forms, a quarter of them found nowhere else in the world. Since 2002, the Conservancy has been working to ensure their long-term viability — protecting a critical nesting site for endangered hawksbill turtles on the Island of Hawai`i, piloting an award-winning alien algae removal program at Waikiki, and partnering with the snorkel and dive industry to raise funds for high-priority marine conservation projects. We are now working with public and private partners and local coastal communities to identify and actively manage the highest priority near-shore marine areas around the state.