A selfless act benefits us all

Anyone who has ever visited Maui has been struck by the spectacular views of Haleakala. To say that the sight of that huge peak rising over 10,000 feet from sea level in just a few miles is magnificent is an understatement.

Thanks to a generous, unprecedented act of thoughtfulness by one family, many of those views will be protected in perpetuity.

Last week it was announced that two-thirds of Ulupalakua Ranch will be placed in an easement to the Maui Coastal Land Trust. Some 12,000 acres will forever remain agricultural lands. The land extends from coastline property a mile south of Makena to the 6,000-foot elevation of the Polipoli Spring State Park.

The agreement was announced by ranch owner Pardee Erdman and his son Sumner, who is the ranch manager.

The Maui Coastal Land Trust has been working since 2001 to protect coastal and culturally significant properties from development. The national Land Trust Accreditation Commission said the local organization "met national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever."

The Erdmans took the action to ensure that future generations didn't cave in to the temptation of selling off the land piecemeal for development. When asked why the family took this extraordinary step, Pardee Erdman said simply:

"I was driving in Kihei one day, and I looked up those green hills, and I was proud of the land, and I decided I wanted it to stay the way it is."

It is fitting that this incredible act of generosity and love of this island occurred during Thanksgiving Week. All of us - and future generations - owe a debt of gratitude and thanks to the Erdman family for this selfless action.

They've ensured we'll all be able to enjoy unspoiled views "of those green hills" forever.

* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.