About the Area

In the uplands of Olowalu valley, native vegetation has decreased due to wildfires and grazing invasive ungulates, leading to increased erosion - a major source of the sediment that ends up on Olowalu reef. The loose soil travels from high elevations into gulches, especially during heavy rainfall, and existing sediment retention infrastructure is often insufficient to prevent excessive runoff from entering the ocean. “Brown water events” are when the water is made cloudy, or turbid, with dirt. Sediment can get trapped in areas where water movement is limited and resuspended during seasonal swells, which can starve corals of sunlight and smother corals once settled. 

Wildfires in West Maui have increased in frequency due to climate change and extreme weather events, reducing vegetation. Coupled with loss of native vegetation due to invasive ungulates, invasive plants have been able to take over which oftentimes further increases the risk of wildfires in both upland and coastal areas. In addition, when topsoil is exposed by fire, it is incredibly vulnerable to erosion by high winds or rain, leading to more sediments entering the ocean, harming the Olowalu reef. 

The lowland areas of Olowalu and Ukumehame were once wetlands that were home to native Hawaiian species and that naturally filtered stormwater and sediment. After being filtered by the wetlands, clean fresh water entered the oceans and nourished the reef ecosystem with nutrients and organic matter. Throughout the 20th century, land conversion and stream diversion for sugar plantations and ranching degraded and drained the historic wetlands. When the plantations closed, these areas were left fallow with crops replaced by invasive species. These wetlands once had both freshwater inputs from streams and saltwater inputs from tides, but the Honoapi‘ilani Highway has severed this connectivity. If wetlands along this shoreline were restored, the natural functions of sediment filtration and flood control could be strengthened. 

The coastal Honoapi‘ilani Highway faces threats from sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and periodic flooding. The frequency of flooding of the highway has increased in recent years, and erosion is apparent in many places along the road. In some areas, seawalls have been constructed to protect the highway, but this shoreline hardening has detrimental impacts on coastal and reef ecosystems.  Due to safety concerns, the State of Hawai‘i will be realigning the highway inland, which will create the opportunity for restoration in the coastal zone. 

Corals in the Olowalu reef are facing stress from warming sea surface temperatures due to global warming. When corals get too warm, they expel the algae that live inside them and provide them with energy. This is what makes them white in color, or “bleached,” and it causes the coral to starve. Corals can recover from bleaching, but being in an environment with poor water quality, such as Olowalu after a large sediment influx, makes it much more difficult.  

Native Hawaiian traditional subsistence practices such as fishing and gathering food from the ocean, agroforestry, and loʻi kalo historically depended on this area. The continuation of these traditional practices has been threatened by resource degradation and the disconnection of people and ‘āina - the result of far-reaching changes in stewardship, land management, and climate. Some Olowalu-Ukumehame lineal descendants have renewed and restored these practices and are working to see their rights respected and protected by creating areas designated for these practices.

Historically this area was rich in agriculture and fed the local community. Land-use changes during the plantation era altered the landscape, soil health, and resource availability. Today, portions of former agricultural lands have transitioned to housing and the remaining cultivated lands support regenerative agriculture, native Hawaiian plant propagation, subsistence farming, and the farming of pigs, sod, coconut, and other types of crops. Private residences also grow traditional food crops and crafting materials. One of the main concerns affecting the present status and future of agriculture in this area is soil health. Community efforts in regenerative and traditional farming practices are helping to rebuild the soil and improve food security. For example, lo'i kalo reduce the impacts of flood, retain water and sediments, and take up nutrients.

The Olowalu reef attracts snorkelers, divers, fishermen, and other recreational users with its relative abundance and diversity of coral and fish. You can often find kayakers and paddleboarders enjoying the normally calm waters of Olowalu, as well as surfers enjoying the surfbreak at Ukumehame and Awalua. This area is also popular for beach camping and hiking starting at the Lahaina Pali trail from Ukumehame to Māʻalaea. Olowalu-Ukumehame is deserving of respect from all who enjoy this special place. Because of the area’s popularity, it is important to share the beach with others. Wear reef-safe sunscreen while recreating in the ocean, and ensure a safe distance from any marine wildlife, including corals. Standing on coral reefs causes damage to reef health. While on land, stay on marked trails and always leave no trace.

Olowalu (Kapāiki) and Ukumehame are home to many local families, roughly 100 residents, with more development on the horizon. Community members are concerned about water availability and use, increased traffic, the development of new infrastructure and current infrastructure capacity, ecosystem health, and resource depletion due to potential over-development. The resiliency of this area depends on the careful consideration of how to approach the potential growth of the Olowalu-Ukumehame area without compromising the ecological balance for future generations. 

Olowalu’s reef has long fed families and sustained cultural practices like throw net, pole fishing, and spear fishing. This abundance is why so many continue to fish here today, for both subsistence and recreation. At the same time, the reef is delicate and showing signs of strain, reminding us that what we take has real impact. Ancestral and contemporary sciences point to the need for balance so fish populations and reef health can recover and thrive. This creates an opportunity for thoughtful marine stewardship that honors cultural subsistence while guiding responsible use. By fishing with care and kuleana, we help ensure Olowalu-Ukumehame remains a place of nourishment and connection for generations to come.

Olowalu’s transportation and infrastructure systems support daily life while shaping the health of the surrounding environment. A refuse and recycling center plays an important role in reducing waste and protecting the reef from land-based pollution. The Honopiʻilani Highway, a vital highway connecting communities, is now facing the realities of sea-level rise and coastal erosion. With plans to move the highway inland beginning in 2027, there is a meaningful opportunity to restore the shoreline and reestablish natural coastal functions. Government agencies, decision-makers, and community insight together with environmental 'ike can best guide this transition to ensure that both access and environmental care are upheld. This moment invites us to think forward, strengthening connections between people, place, and the long-term resilience of Olowalu-Ukumehame.