Land Stewardship

Maui Pineapple Company’s commitment to stewardship of the land is illustrated through action and results. Over the past century, we’ve instituted programs and played a role in projects that protect, preserve and enhance the natural balance of life and island resources.

Maui Pineapple Company’s plantation managers strive for sustainable agriculture through the use of field rotation, cover crops, fallow time, natural fertilizers and integrated pest management. Those fields that have long lain fallow are being restored with plants native to the area in a managed Reforestation Project.

At Maui Pineapple Company’s headquarters in Central Maui, a variety of recycle and reuse programs are in place. These include:

• Land application process wash water reuse program which was activated in 1997. It takes the cannery’s wash water, filters out the solids and transports it seven miles via underground pipelines to fields to be reused as irrigation water for seed cane.
• Boilers and the power plant are governed by the EPA’s Clean Air Act and regulated by the State of Hawai‘i Dept. of Health. The company is permitted to collect used oils, have them tested and approved to burn in the boilers.
• Batteries from farm equipment, machinery and trucks are consigned and recycled; likewise, generated scrap metals are recycled.

Maui Land & Pineapple Company manages and operates the Honolua Ditch Water System, considered one of the finest surface water transfer systems in the State of Hawai‘i. Through the Kapalua Water Company, this system provides water for the Honolua Plantation pineapple fields, Kapalua Resort and drinking water for the West Maui community.

Maui Pineapple Company has applied thousands of Best Management Practices (BMP), contributing to the quality of life, protection of property, the improvement of environmental quality and expansion of the regional economy. One result: USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service estimates that the company’s cumulative conservation efforts have reduced sediment loading into coastal waters by 68%.

The Company aims to secure its position in the rapidly evolving agricultural sector and ensure the sustainability of its operations by placing emphasis on fresh and organic Maui Gold® pineapple in the coming years. It will contribute to Maui’s overall economic health and lasting rural character by becoming a “grower of growers.” This includes building partnerships with other Maui farmers in addition to encouraging high school and university students of agriculture through internships and scholarships.

Maui Land & Pineapple Company owns and manages the Pu‘u Kukui Watershed Preserve, which was established in 1988 and is the largest private nature preserve in the state of Hawai‘i. It is located at the summit of Mauna Kahalawai, the West Maui mountains. The company also manages the Honolua-Mokule‘ia Marine Life Conservation District which protects and preserves two bays. Through management of these preserves and participation in the West Maui Mountains Watershed Partnership, the company actively strives to perpetuate the health of a vital water source and protect biologically unique areas.

Click here to learn more about Pu‘u Kukui Watershed Preserve »