On September 12, the Ledcor Maui team joined ʻĀina Momona for an educational tour of Bobby Pahia’s Hawaiʻi Taro Farm in Waikapū

The visit provided an opportunity to learn directly from the source about responsible land restoration, food production, and stewardship and the ways these practices can help support a healthier and more resilient Maui.

Restoring Agricultural Lands in Waikapū

At Hawaiʻi Taro Farm, we learned about the history of the property, its agricultural operations, and the work being done to responsibly restore lands that were previously cultivated in sugar cane and later left fallow.

The tour highlighted the opportunity to return these lands to productive use through the cultivation of native and culturally significant Hawaiian plants. Bringing these species back into the landscape not only supports local food production, but also helps restore a stronger connection between the land, Hawaiian culture, and the agricultural traditions that have shaped Waikapū for generations.

The visit reinforced the importance of approaching land restoration thoughtfully—considering soil health, water use, appropriate plant species, long-term stewardship, and the cultural history of the area.

Applying What We Learned

The lessons from this tour is directly relevant to how we think about future projects on Maui. As we plan communities, we are eager to identify opportunities to support local food production, restore previously disturbed lands, and incorporate more native and natural habitat into our projects.

Learning from local farmers and land stewards provides valuable insight into practical solutions that are already working on Maui. We are grateful to Bobby Pahia and the other farmers for sharing their time, knowledge, and experience with our team.