Community members are invited to help shape the future of one of Maui’s most historic trails during a public gathering on Thursday, March 26, focused on the stewardship of the Lahaina Pali Trail and the surrounding Māʻalaea Mauka / Pōhākea lands.
Hosted by Sierra Club Maui, Maʻalaea Village Association, and Maui Ocean Center, the free event will take place from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Maui Ocean Center Dome, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. for light pupu.
Thirty years ago, volunteers from Sierra Club Maui partnered with the state trail program Nā Ala Hele to restore the historic Lahaina Pali Trail from Pāpalaua to Māʻalaea. As Sierra Club Maui begins its 50th anniversary year in 2026, organizers say the time is right to engage the community in planning the next chapter for the beloved trail and the approximately 250 acres of public lands at its base.
The event will introduce a new community survey designed to gather public input on how the trail and surrounding lands should be cared for, restored, and enjoyed in the decades ahead.
Attendees will also enjoy a short historical slideshow inspired by the illustrated book Māʻalaea: The Untold Story of Maui’s Historic Crossroads, which explores the rich cultural and environmental history of the Māʻalaea region. Co-author Lucienne de Naie will be present to sign books, which will be available for purchase. Proceeds support conservation projects in the Māʻalaea area.
Participants will have an opportunity to meet staff from Nā Ala Hele, the state program that manages the trail, and learn about a new Sierra Club initiative to launch a 21st-century volunteer maintenance crew dedicated to caring for the Lahaina Pali Trail.
Organizers say the evening is intended to bring together residents, trail users, and community groups to talk story about the future of this iconic landscape.
The event is free and open to the public, but space in the dome is limited and advance registration is encouraged.
Register: https://bit.ly/46FhsSK
Event Details
What: Lahaina Pali Trail and Beyond – A Community Conversation
When: Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 6:00–7:30 p.m. (doors open 5:30 p.m.)
Where: Maui Ocean Center Dome, Māʻalaea
Cost: Free
Includes: Historical slideshow, community survey, talk story, light pupu