Background

Mālama Loko Ea Foundation (MLEF) is partnering with Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the Waialua community to purchase and protect Loko Ea Queen’s Residence in Haleʻiwa, Kawailoa, Waialua, Oʻahu

Loko Ea Queen's Residence, once part of Queen Lili'uokalani's beloved Waialua residence, and believed to be home to the Queen's Bath, sits on the bank of Loko Ea Fishpond. Loko Ea is part of the historic ʻUkoʻa-Loko Ea Wetland Fishpond Complex and is the third largest wetland on Oʻahu. Protecting this parcel will buffer and protect Loko Ea, preserving aquaculture for local food security, habitat for endangered birds, native marine life, and native vegetation, enhancing the water quality of Loko Ea Stream and Waialua Bay, and supporting Waialua's wild fishery.

While Mālama Loko Ea Foundation (MLEF) has stewarded and licensed Loko Ea Fishpond for 14 years, the fishpond is technically landlocked without any legal access. Protecting this property will finally provide MLEF legal access to Loko Ea, allowing it to continue its fishpond restoration and 'āina based educational programs, functioning as a community kīpuka. MLEF does not own any of the lands it stewards. Acquiring this property would ensure their permanent presence as kia'i (caretakers, guardians) of Loko Ea.

Mālama Loko Ea Foundation and Trust for Public Land are currently applying for public conservation acquisition funding from the State Legacy Land Conservation Program and the City's Clean Water and Natural Lands Program and we are in need of public support.

Petition in Support

We support the Waialua community, Mālama Loko Ea Foundation, and Trust for Public Land’s effort to purchase and protect Loko Ea Queen’s Residence (1.1 acres, TMK (1)6-2-003:008 & Loko Ea Place). This ʻāina should be returned to community to be stewarded as part of Loko Ea Fishpond’s ecosystem, prevent further development along the fishpond’s banks, and provide critically needed community access to the fishpond.