The Maui News
Susan and Jac Kean, founding members of the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, were named the organization’s 2019 Champions of the Land and will be honored at the 18th Buy Back the Beach: Malama Kipuka Benefit Lu’au on Jan. 26.
Each year, the trust recognizes a person, group or organization that has had a substantial impact on land conservation in Hawaii, a news release said. In addition to being founding members of the trust and donors, the Keans helped realize the vision of a unified, statewide Hawaiian Islands Land Trust in 2011.
Susan Kean served first with the Maui Coastal Land Trust and then with the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust as a member of the board of directors until earlier this year.
As co-owner of Kaupo Ranch, Jac Kean was integral to the conservation of the trust’s Nuu Preserve in 2011. The 82-acre preserve in Kaupo protects some of the healthiest coastlines across Hawaii, which provide habitat for several endangered bird species. Nuu also is home to numerous pre-contact archaeological sites, including petroglyphs and traditional house sites on the preserve.
Susan and Jac, along with many other supporters, have enabled the nonprofit organization to protect more than 18,000 acres across Hawaii. The 2019 Buy Back the Beach fundraising gala provides support for the trust’s efforts to protect coastal lands, historical and cultural landscapes, and working farms and ranches across Hawaii.
The event will be held at the Old Lahaina Lu’au from 5 to 8:30 p.m. There will be luau fare provided by culinary teams from Old Lahaina Lu’au, Aloha Mixed Plate, Star Noodle and Leoda’s, along with craft cocktails, a live and silent auction and live entertainment with Gretchen Rhodes.
Tickets are $175 person. Purchase tickets online at www.hilt.org/special-events-calendar or by phone at (808) 791-0729.
For more information about the event, go to www.hilt.org or call Angela Britten, director of development, at (808) 791-0731.
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