The Hawaiian Islands Land Trust officially begins operation on New Year’s Day.

It’s being formed by the merger of the Kauai Public Land Trust, Oahu Land Trust, Maui Coastal Land Trust and Hawaii Island Land Trust.

The groups said in a statement Friday the merger puts them in a better position to attract broad financial support and save more land.

The headquarters of the combined origination will initially be based on Maui. Existing offices will be maintained on Oahu, Kauai and Hawaii islands.

All employees are being retained, giving the combined group a staff of ten.