Pictured (from left) are Mari Poorman of Peacewinds, John Meier and Veronica Fernandez of Aloha Puʻu Kukui, and Alex Nakajima and Tadashi Yanai of TY Management after Yanai donated $500,000 to support restoration work in the Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve. Photo courtesy Aloha Puʻu Kukui

Tadashi Yanai, owner of Kapalua Golf and president of TY Management, has donated $500,000 to Aloha Puʻu Kukui to support restoration work in West Maui’s Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve.

The latest gift brings Yanai’s total support for the watershed to $1.5 million since 2024, according to Aloha Puʻu Kukui.

The nonprofit said the funding will support work including invasive species removal and reforestation of native species across the preserve.

“Mr. Yanai’s continued generosity is an inspiring gift and will make a real difference to the health of our watershed,” said John Meier, president and founder of Aloha Puʻu Kukui. “Protecting our watershed is not just an environmental goal — it is a kuleana of the entire community. We hope this work sparks a shared commitment to preserving these vital ecosystems for generations to come.”

The 8,661-acre Puʻu Kukui watershed has historically been recognized as one of the wettest places on earth, according to the nonprofit. The forests help capture and store rainfall in Maui’s aquifers, supporting water supplies for communities, agriculture and businesses.

Aloha Puʻu Kukui cited University of Hawaii research estimating that every dollar invested in watershed protection yields about 580 gallons of additional groundwater into the aquifer.

“Kapalua Golf is proud to continue our partnership in protecting the Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve,” said Alex Nakajima, general manager of Kapalua Golf. “This is a precious part of our community’s future, and we are honored to do our part in safeguarding such a vital resource.”

Aloha Puʻu Kukui works to protect and restore the watershed from the summit to Honolua Bay.

For more information, visit AlohaPuukukui.org.