He wai e mana, he wai e ola!

A water of magic power, the water of life!

We need public, nonprofit and government coordination to protect places throughout Hawaii that perpetuate our shared history and culture. Many of these places are under threat of development, but when communities and government come together, conservation victories can be achieved.

Take for example the recent purchase and preservation of Kanewai Spring, one of Hawaii’s last functioning freshwater springs.

Oahu was once famed for abundant water, yet today many of us have never experienced a freshwater spring. Guided by the memories of aging kupuna (elders), the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center sought out to reconnect the ancient Kanewai Spring to the community. When Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center first contacted the spring’s landowner in 2010, the writing was on the wall and the spring faced an uncertain future due to development pressure. Weeds choked the spring and historic coconut grove, creating a hiding place for vandals.

With the landowner’s permission and support, the center enlisted the help of dedicated volunteers — school children to kupuna — to clear trash and brush. Parents and grandparents now frequently return with their keiki to share in the restoration and enjoyment of this Hawaiian treasure. We see the torch once again being passed as ancestral knowledge of fishing and malama aina are handed down. Respect for our past and a new path forward is evident from the ho‘okupu (offerings) left at the ku‘ula stone fishing shrine and a newly functioning makaha fish gate.

Today, crystal clear freshwater flows from the spring, feeding Kanewai Fishpond, Paiko Wildlife Refuge and Maunalua Bay. Native species such as pipiwai and hapawai (freshwater limpets), opae oeha‘a and opae huna (shrimp), and limu ele‘ele (native seaweed) have returned. Thanks to the City and County of Honolulu, state of Hawaii, The Trust for Public Land, individual donors and foundations, volunteers and nonprofit partners, the spring has been returned to the community, permanently preserved for the education and enjoyment of future generations.

Kanewai Spring is a heart-warming example of how people, public agencies, nonprofit organizations and elected officials can work together to transform native lands into places that benefit our keiki and our environment.

For those who have lands close to their hearts that they want to preserve for the future, our best piece of advice is this: Be steadfast with aloha.

What made Kanewai Spring a success — and what other successful land conservation projects share in common are three specific things that when replicated, have the greatest chance of eliciting the cross-sector support necessary for change:

>> Passionate, committed community members who deeply care about Hawaii our home, and who want to pass on a legacy of values to their keiki and grandchildren, creating an inter-generational cycle of renewal.

>> Courageous elected officials and public agency heads and staff who reflect the best of government and are willing to work with community members and nonprofits for the common good.

>> Perseverance — there will be ups and downs; you will encounter resistance and barriers; mistakes will be made. Do not give up. Ask for forgiveness with humility. Be true in your intention. Be steadfast with aloha.

Please tell your elected officials that you strongly support the continuation and full funding of programs that keep places like Kanewai Spring — and native lands throughout Hawaii Nei — protected forever. Mention by name The State Legacy Land Conservation Program and the city’s Clean Water and Natural Lands Program, and mahalo them for providing the critical funding that returned Kanewai Spring to the people of Hawaii.

Chris Cramer is president of Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center; Brad Punu chairs The Trust for Public Land Hawai‘i Advisory Board.