Using advocacy, education, and legal means to achieve protection of our natural resources.

Mālama Kua'āina is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2012

Hā'ena/Wainiha Beaches: A legacy for the future

The mission of Mālama Kua'āina (MKA) is to preserve Kauai’s unique public trust resources, with a special focus on Kauai’s North Shore. The beauty and cultural significance of Kauai’s North Shore coastline is unsurpassed, arguably one of the most scenic locations in the world. The North Shore is known worldwide due to our dramatic scenic views, steep sea cliffs, picturesque beaches and bays, broad fringing reefs, abundant streams and waterfalls, and deep verdant valleys. Yet this unique region is facing serious and unrelenting threats from coastal development, overlapping coastal hazards, lack of effective enforcement and climate change.

Our goal is to preserve the natural beauty of the North Shore of Kaua'i along with the rural charm and unique cultural characteristics that make it so special. MKA uses advocacy, education, and legal means to achieve protection of our outstanding natural resources. MKA is active in many issues including healthy beaches, coastal protection, beach access, and land use decisions that affect Kauai’s remarkable natural resources and rich cultural heritage. We cherish what remains of Kauai’s rural nature and work diligently for preservation of public trust resources.

Our Board of Directors

Caren Diamond, Executive Director and Founding Director of MKA

Current Affiliations: Vice President of Hā'ena-Hanalei Community Association and Advisory Committee member for the Hā'ena State Park Master Plan.

Previous Affiliations: Advisory Committee Member on the Kalalau Trail Rehabilitation Community Advisory Committee; Coastal Advocate on the Kaua'i County Council Shoreline Setback Working Group; Commissioner with the County of Kaua'i Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Fund; Member of the Working Group Committee on the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Report to the Twenty-Fourth Legislature, Regular Session of 2006 Study of Shoreline Certification for the Purpose of Shoreline Setbacks.

Presley Wann, President and Director of MKA

Presley was born on Oʻahu to a family with long ties and close connections to the north shore of Kaua'i and has lived on Kaua'i since 1980. He attended Punahou School and the University of Hawai'i and had a long career in the construction industry before retiring in 2013 as the supervising engineer for a large engineering and construction firm.

Presley continues his involvement with his labor union and alma mater and is engaged in several community organizations that are committed to restoration of farmlands and fisheries throughout Hawai'i. He currently serves as President of Hui Maka'ainana o Makana, providing expertise and cultural support to the places from which his family comes. His family still owns land in Halele'a, and Presley dedicates himself to the preservation of that property for his descendants. He experiences his connections to the land and oceans of north Kaua'i deeply and focuses his energy and time on working with the community. Presley enjoys surfing, fishing, and taro farming. His goals include working to provide a healthy and productive community for his grandchildren and future generations. He believes that this work is a model for other communities in Hawai'i and shares his experiences with many around Hawai'i and the Pacific region.

Mina Morita, Vice President, Secretary and Director of MKA

Current Affiliations: Energy Policy Consultant/Energy Dynamics, Board Secretary of Hale Halawai Ohana O Hanalei (the Hanalei Community Center), Board Secretary of The Hanalei Initiative.

Previous Affiliations: Chair of the Hawai'i Public Utilities Commission, State Representative and Chair of the House Energy & Environmental Protection Committee, Kaua'i County Police Commissioner, and Kaua'i County Planning Commissioner.

Carl Imparato, Treasurer and Director of MKA

Carl Imparato is a retired electric power system engineer.  During his 30-year professional career in the electric utility industry, he worked in a variety of areas, including planning, operations, optimization, pricing, contracts, policy, regulation and R&D; was an advisor on a number of Electric Power Research Institute research projects; and was a lecturer for the Edison Electric Institute.

Carl has been deeply involved in community and environmental issues for more than 40 years, on both the mainland and Kaua'i.  As a Hanalei resident for the past 20 years he: was a leader of the Kaua'i Coalition for Responsible Government’s successful 2008 growth management County Charter amendment campaign and the 2012-2014 campaign to protect the Hanalei River ridge; has testified extensively before the Kaua'i County Council and Kaua'i Planning Commission on a wide variety of matters; has been involved in numerous legislative initiatives and environmental litigation cases; has served on the governing boards of the Hanalei-to-Hā'ena Community Association, Hanalei Watershed Hui, Kekahu Foundation/KKCR, Sierra Club Kaua'i Group, Hanalei Roads Committee, Haena State Park Community Advisory Committee, Limu Coalition and 1000 Friends of Kaua'i; and he is currently president of the boards of the Hanalei-to-Hā'ena Community Association and the Hanalei Watershed Hui.

Lahela Keikila'au'o'wakanahele Chandler Correa, Director of MKA

Lahela was born and raised on the island of Kaua'i in the Wainiha Valley where her family farmed Kalo to provide for their ʻohana and the community. Her parents, Francis Sr. and Kapeka Chandler, were born and raised in Hā'ena and came from a large 'ohana. For the past three years Lahela has been involved in the Wainiha/Hā'ena community due to the devastating floods experienced on island. She has assisted at the food pantry, delivering food to kupuna, and anywhere else she can be of help. Lahela has nonprofit experience and is an author and publisher of the Aloha Books.