HAWAI‘I TOURISM AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES ORGANIZATIONS SELECTED FOR COMMUNITY TOURISM COLLABORATIVES Maui Organizations Selected to Strengthen Community Stewardship and Visitor Experiences

HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) today announced the organizations selected to participate in its 2026 Community Tourism Collaboratives, two cohort-based programs designed to help organizations strengthen community-centered visitor experiences and stewardship efforts.

The selected organizations will participate in one of two collaboratives. The Community Stewardship program supports Maui-based nonprofits that care for a place or natural or cultural resource, by helping them expand stewardship efforts through voluntourism, managed access and other guided visitor engagement. The Regenerative Experiences program supports Maui-based businesses and nonprofits developing or enhancing visitor experiences rooted in place, culture and community, by helping participants refine their experience concepts, develop business plans and budgets — and prepare to pilot or expand their offerings.

“Each of these initiatives demonstrates how tourism can uplift communities, care for natural and cultural resources and honor what makes Maui unique,” said Caroline Anderson, interim president and CEO of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. “Whether through stewardship projects or development of visitor experiences, the Community Tourism Collaboratives are designed to help participants build capacity, strengthen their organizations and create meaningful connections among residents, visitors and place.”

The programs run from July through October 2026 and include structured workshops, in-person training and participation in HTA’s 2026 Hawaiʻi Tourism Conference in September. Through the program, participants will develop visitor-engaged stewardship and regenerative experience plans, refine operations and build the relationships and tools needed to successfully advance their work.

The organizations selected for the 2026 Community Tourism Collaboratives are:

Community Stewardship

Friends of Twin Falls (Haʻikū, Maui) is playing a growing role in stewarding Twin Falls and the surrounding Hōʻolawa area through trail and stream care, outdoor education, volunteer engagement and visitor management. The organization works alongside Wailele Farms to support public access while caring for the working farm, watershed and surrounding community.

Imua Family Services (Kahului, Maui) supports children and families across Maui County through early childhood education, family services and inclusive programming. Founded in 1947, the organization stewards the Pōhakuokauhi Ethnobotanic Garden and Imua Discovery Garden, a historic 6-acre property where nature, culture, education and community come together.

Mālama Hāmākua Maui (Haʻikū, Maui) stewards Hāmākualoa Kulāiwi through restoration, native planting, invasive species management, community education and volunteer engagement. Its work includes regular Kōkua Days, fire-risk reduction, trash removal, access management and care for culturally and ecologically sensitive areas.

Makana No Ke Kaiāulu (Waiheʻe, Maui) works to preserve and share the cultural history of Wailuku through community education, cultural programming and stewardship of important places. Officially established in 2024, with kuleana stretching back much further, the organization supports emerging efforts connected to Halekiʻi-Pihana Heiau State Monument and partners with the Paukūkalo community to create spaces that celebrate Hawaiian history, culture, food and ʻike.

Pacific Whale Foundation (Wailuku, Maui) has been dedicated to protecting the oceans around Maui through science, advocacy, education, conservation and environmental stewardship for more than 40 years. Through programs such as Mālama Pono, the organization connects volunteers with restoration efforts across Maui, supporting partners engaged in native planting, invasive species removal, coastal cleanups and other mauka-to-makai stewardship activities.

Treecovery Hawaii (Lahaina, Maui) supports Lahaina and Kula community resilience and recovery by growing and providing native, fruit and flowering trees to ʻohana, businesses and public spaces affected by the 2023 fires. The organization maintains growing hubs across Maui where volunteers help care for trees through planting, potting, pruning and other stewardship activities.

Regenerative Experiences

AeroFarm Hawaiʻi (Nāhiku, Maui) grows more than 150 varieties of produce using solar-powered aeroponic systems that require less water and no pesticides. The farm also offers educational tours that introduce visitors, students and culinary professionals to sustainable agriculture, local food production and innovative growing practices in East Maui.

Haleakalā Farm (Kula, Maui) is a regenerative farm that grows seasonal crops and produces value-added foods, such as Maui-grown lilikoʻi shortbread cookies. The farm also hosts community workshops and experiences centered on composting, vermicomposting, upcycling, farm-to-table food, creativity and wellness.

Island Health by Go Dēhp (Kīhei, Maui) provides community-based wellness resources, health advocacy and cultural health programming for Maui residents. Its work connects personal health and community well-being with cultural knowledge, marine stewardship and the care of local ecosystems.

Maui Pacific Divers (Wailuku, Maui) offers small-group scuba, snorkeling and whale-watching experiences focused on building deeper relationships with Maui’s ocean environments. Through partnerships with marine scientists and conservation organizations, it integrates reef monitoring, marine debris removal, education and stewardship into visitor experiences that support the long-term care of Maui’s reefs.

PacWhale Eco-Adventures (Lahaina and Māʻalaea, Maui) is the social enterprise of Pacific Whale Foundation, offering ocean experiences that directly support marine conservation, research, education and outreach. Its whale-watching, snorkeling and other ocean experiences connect visitors to Maui Nui through marine science, responsible wildlife practices, community science and place-based learning.