Makana Pono Awardee Tram I. Selects Lahaina Community Land Trust

Tram I. has been a part of the Islands Hospice Maui team for more than two years as a field nurse, where she assesses patient needs and provides nursing care to patients at home. As our Makana Pono awardee, Tram has chosen the Lahaina Community Land Trust as the recipient of her $5,000 award.

The Lahaina Community Land Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the community and keeping land under local stewardship. Formed in response to the devastation caused by the Maui wildfire, the trust provides a community-based alternative for landowners considering selling their land, ensuring that properties remain within the community and serve the best interests of its residents.

The trust runs several programs, including an affordable housing initiative focused on keeping homes affordable for local families; a conservation program that protects culturally and environmentally significant lands; an economic development program for regenerative, place-based activities; and a lease-back program that allows landowners to sell their property to the trust while continuing to live on or use the land through a lease agreement.

“They serve the community of Lahaina and are committed to the long-term recovery of Lahaina after the wildfires, and I believe it is extremely important for the Hawaiian people to have a say and role in the rebuilding process,” said Tram.

The trust’s board consists of Lahaina community members who share a commitment to preserving Lahaina’s character and livability. They work to facilitate communication between the community and the board, ensuring that the voices of Lahaina’s residents are at the center of decision-making.

By selecting the Lahaina Community Land Trust, Tram exemplifies her dedication to community well-being, a commitment that is also evident in her work at Islands Hospice.

To support the Lahaina Community Land Trust or to learn more, please visit lahainacommunitylandtrust.com.