Kō i ka Pono: Carrying Out Our Mission

2018 Hawai‘i Impact Report

a rainbow arching over mountains and sea — In Hawai‘i, TNC works from the mountains to the sea. © John De Mello

**Ulalia Woodside & Nate Smith.** © Sean Marrs/TNC

A Message From Our Leaders

I ho‘okahi pu‘uwai, ua holo pono
Through a shared vision, we will succeed

In Hawai‘i and across the Pacific region, conservation leaders agree that there is a right approach to achieving effective conservation. This approach, referred to as “The Pacific Way,” honors people, places and cultures, and relies on building strong partnerships with the people who live in and care for these islands. While our work at The Nature Conservancy is rooted in sound science and innovation, our success depends heavily on collaboration and our ability to earn the trust and respect of the island communities in which we work.

TNC is also taking a nature-based approach to address the key challenges facing the environment and people, including climate change and food and water sustainability. Our scientists estimate that nature-based solutions like protecting forests, restoring wetlands and bolstering the resilience of coral reefs can achieve 30% of the world’s climate goals.

Community-based conservation and natural climate solutions are major themes running through our 2018 Impact Report. In the following pages, you will learn about our work to launch our first carbon sequestration project, our research to enhance coral reef resilience to climate change, and how our forest conservation efforts are ensuring a future water supply. You will also learn about our work to restore Hawaiian fishponds and enhance local food production, and our efforts with the State and communities to protect 30% of our nearshore waters by 2030.

These accomplishments would not have been possible without the support of many partners—and especially you, our members and supporters. We hope that after reading this report you will be even more inspired to support our work. Now more than ever, we need to invest in nature and recognize that it offers solutions to some of the most pressing issues of our time.

Mahalo a nui loa,

Ulalia Woodside and Nate Smith
TNC Hawai‘i Executive Director and Board Chair

two men with headlamps leaning over a bird — Bird banding volunteers. band wedge-tailed shearwaters at TNC’s Mo‘omomi Preserve. © Debbie Delatour

“One of my most rewarding investments is with The Nature Conservancy. They have the unique ability to work with communities and government to improve our island home.”

Benjy Garfinkle

TNC member, Kūkiʻo, Hawai‘i