DLNR offers $6.7M in land conservation grants
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is now accepting applications for its Legacy Land Conservation Program, with about $6.7 million available for land acquisition grants in fiscal year 2026.
Applications are due by Oct. 13.
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The grants are open to state and county agencies, along with nonprofit organizations, and are meant to help protect land that has natural, cultural, recreational, agricultural or historical value.
Since 2006, the program has awarded more than $65 million to help preserve over 32,000 acres across Hawaii, protecting dozens of sites for future generations.
Funding decisions involve input from state agencies and lawmakers, review by a conservation commission, and final approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the governor.
Past projects on Hawaii Island show how the program works in practice.
In North Kohala, the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust got $3 million in 2022 to protect more than 640 acres across six coastal land divisions, from Mahukona to Kapaa Nui. The area, called the Mahukona Living Navigational and Cultural Complex, is used as a cultural site and training ground for traditional Pacific navigators.
That project focused on preserving watersheds, historic and cultural sites, coastal access, farmland and natural habitat. Of the $3 million awarded, $1.15 million was spent, with over $12 million in matching funds contributed by the Hawaii County, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other sources.
In 2023, another $3 million went to Na Oiwi O Puuanahulu to help buy and protect 27 acres in the Anaehoomalu–Kapalaoa area of Kona. Working with The Trust for Public Land, the group brought in about $5.4 million more to preserve land with high cultural, ecological and scenic value.
That parcel was at risk of development and includes endangered species habitat, farmland and archaeological resources. A conservation easement is now held by the county,
These efforts reflect the program’s goals: protecting coastal access, rare habitats and land threatened by development.
To learn more or apply, visit dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/llcp or contact legacyland@hawaii.gov or (808) 586-0921.
