Our story
Waiʻanae Moku Navigators is a 501(c)(3) community development corporation serving the community from Kahe to Kaʻena. Waiʻanae Moku Navigators is a network of organizations working together to build a more resilient, healthier and sustainable community.
The history of planning on the Waiʻanae Coast reveals a consistent pattern: when communities come together around shared values and aspirations, meaningful ideas and priorities emerge. But too often there has been no sustained structure, capacity, or resources in place to coordinate action and seize opportunities when they arise.
Decades of planning efforts demonstrate the importance of community-driven processes, inclusive engagement, effective communication, and long-term organizational leadership. Waiʻanae Moku Navigators was established in response to these lessons.
The History of Planning on the Waiʻanae Coast
Community-wide planning efforts have occurred roughly every ten years since the 1960s.
While some residents find the repetitive nature of these initiatives frustrating, regular strategic planning is viewed as beneficial for a community. Key past initiatives included:
Model Cities (1960s)
Part of the "War on Poverty," it led to the creation of the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.
The Eala Project (1970s)
Focused on Hawaiian cultural revival, resulting in the restoration of Kuilioloa Heiau and the training of youth leaders.
Waianae Helping Waianae (1980s)
Facilitated by the University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College, it highlights consistent community goals but fails to implement projects due to lack of funding.
Waianae - The Country Town (1993)
A visual guide for urban design intended for the county general plan that was never implemented.
Waianae Coast Coalition (1990s)
Resulted in projects like the Waianae Business Center and initiated loan programs for micro-businesses.
Waianae Coast Economic Zone (2000s)
Proposed six priorities; although federal funding was not secured, most project areas eventually moved forward including coordinated early childhood education, transitional housing, and telecommunications planning.
Telecom Hui (2000s)
Successfully implemented most of its proposals, except for a proposed performing arts center.
Waianae Coast Initiative (2010)
A state-level effort that identified 32 projects; however, none were implemented due to a lack of statutory strength and change in political leadership.
Lessons learned
It is important, as with all other experiences, that the community and community leaders interested in facilitating change take this history into account and identify the lessons learned. These are some elements that could be considered:
Core Community Values
Future efforts must reaffirm and reach a consensus on the values important to residents.
Resources
Identifying and securing funding, community support, and organizational capacity is critical before planning.
Assets-Based Planning
Planning should focus on a community's strengths and resources rather than its deficits.
Sustainable and Predictable Change
Long-term success requires direct investment in community partnerships and flexible financing.
Ongoing Opportunities for Input
Diverse community meetings based on the ʻahupuaʻa (traditional land division) are essential for relevant and inclusive discussions.
Measurable Results
Evaluation should include both quantitative data and qualitative measurements, such as an individual's sense of well-being.