Puanani Lindsey finds inspiration in the Maui landscape
Hawaii's verdure of seemingly boundless forests and unending blue ocean tell a story of both abundance and environmental decline. The introduction of non-native plants and animals, history of resource misuse, and ongoing land development have put Hawaii's ecological resilience on trial, but conservation and community remain strong. Few people embody these values like Puanani Lindsey, whose relationship with nature, culture, and family tells the story of this paradise at risk and why there is still hope.
After retiring in 1999 as a police dispatch officer with 18 years of service, Puanani joined her husband, the late Ed Lindsey, in creating a nonprofit called Maui Cultural Lands to preserve Hawaiian cultural values, archaeological sites, and native flora through education. Ed taught history and geography for 34 years and had a deep sense of kuleana, or responsibility for the land and its gifts, that paved the way for Puanani and their son, Ekolu, to continue this work when he passed away. "Ekolu stepped into his father's shoes and accepted the kuleana of all that Ed represented and more. Ed was my inspiration, my love."
From the inception of their organization in 2002, Puanani began working with the Sierra Club and Surfrider Foundation to reforest Honokowai Valley and the Kaanapali area with native and endemic plant species. The idea for an annual Sierra Club service trip began when Ed met longtime trip leader Lynne Simpson through a mutual friend. Working diligently with volunteers, Maui Cultural Lands has since planted thousands of native plants and trees, reestablished taro fields, and built vegetable gardens to help restore what was once a flourishing, self-sufficient village.
"You simply must come and feel what it's like. The spirituality of Honokowai will grip you."
For Puanani, this hard work is a labor of love. "This also is my small way of staying close to the 'uhane, or spirit, of my husband while being a part of Ekolu's growth as a leader within the Hawaiian community," Puanani says. Her work brings people together from all over the world as they visit Maui to restore these heritage sites and share perspectives. The gratitude one receives from mālama 'āina, or taking care of the land properly, is hard to describe. As Puanani says, "You simply must come and feel what it's like. The spirituality of Honokowai will grip you."
Puanani's infectious love of the land has left an indelible impression on Sierra Club participants who serve on projects organized by her and longtime Sierra Club trip leaders, like Lynne Simpson. "Puanani's dedication to Maui Cultural Lands and her ability to consistently nurture and enhance service projects on the island of Maui," Lynne says, "have motivated the Sierra Club volunteers who work with her each year to be more active in environmental protection and maintenance." Puanani has also entertained Sierra Club travelers every January since 2005. "Puanani is a beautiful and experienced hula dancer," Lynne remarks. "Each year she invites our participants to her family home for a Saturday night potluck feast, accentuated by music and hula."
As her hospitality and generous personality indicate, people are at the forefront of Puanani's life. "Life is about 'ohana, or family," she explains. "And 'ohana can be described in many different ways: blood relations and people you hold close to your heart. We mālama, or take care of properly, these relationships and help each other to evolve and become better people to create a better world." When asked what puts the biggest smile on her face, she beams, "Meeting new people, exploring new places, and sharing aloha—love and compassion!" Don't miss your chance to meet her and discover new places with Sierra Club Outings on "Sun, Service, and Whales, Maui, Hawaii".