Reviving the Nāulu Cloud Bridge – Uhiwai O Haleakalā
12/3/25
Jobi Miguel
175 Hoano Pl.
808-385-0247
Jobimiguel@fairmont.com
Dear Council Chair and Honorable Members of the ADEPT Committee,
My name is Jobi Miguel, and I am a resident of Maui County. I am writing to express my strong support for Uhiwai O Haleakalā and the proposed pathway to restore native forest habitat with the long-term vision of reviving the Nāulu Cloud Bridge between Maui and Kahoʻolawe. I respectfully ask for your support and affirmative vote on this important initiative.
The Nāulu Cloud Bridge once played a vital ecological role in transporting moisture across the channels of Maui Nui and sustaining the health of our leeward forests. Today, prolonged drought, wildfire, erosion, and habitat degradation threaten this natural system. Restoring our native dryland forest is essential to strengthening watershed health, increasing moisture retention, and revitalizing the cultural and ecological functions that have long defined this region.
This project is critically important to our community because:
• It strengthens climate resilience by restoring native forest cover, increasing cloud interception, and reducing wildfire risk.
• It protects culturally significant landscapes and native species that carry deep ancestral and cultural value.
• It creates meaningful community impact through education, stewardship, and partnerships across Maui Nui.
I have personally attended their outreach programs at Pu’u Mahoe and it has given me more drive and inspiration and understanding of my kuleana to this moku. Uhiwai o Haleakalā works tirelessly throughout countless community events, educational opportunities, that they share with visitors of Maui, and give them interactive opportunities to help plant native plants that they will use to reforest the leeward side of Haleakalā. They engage with visitors and have these guest leave with a sense of purpose, accomplishment to be able to look toward their hometowns to see how they could best implement practices at home. Not only is their work vital to the ecosystem here on Honua’ula, I have seen how this work brings people together, uplifts the ʻāina, and strengthens our collective connection to place.
I respectfully urge you to vote in favor of advancing this initiative to revive the Nāulu Cloud Bridge. Your support will help ensure healthier forests, stronger watersheds, increased community stewardship, and a more resilient Maui for future generations.
Mahalo for your time, leadership, and thoughtful consideration. I deeply appreciate your commitment to the well-being of our ʻāina and our community.
With respect,
Jobi Miguel
Director of Hawaiian Cultural at the Fairmont Kea Lani
Reviving the Nāulu Cloud Bridge – Uhiwai O Haleakalā
12/3/25
Jobi Miguel
175 Hoano Pl.
808-385-0247
Jobimiguel@fairmont.com
Dear Council Chair and Honorable Members of the ADEPT Committee,
My name is Jobi Miguel, and I am a resident of Maui County. I am writing to express my strong support for Uhiwai O Haleakalā and the proposed pathway to restore native forest habitat with the long-term vision of reviving the Nāulu Cloud Bridge between Maui and Kahoʻolawe. I respectfully ask for your support and affirmative vote on this important initiative.
The Nāulu Cloud Bridge once played a vital ecological role in transporting moisture across the channels of Maui Nui and sustaining the health of our leeward forests. Today, prolonged drought, wildfire, erosion, and habitat degradation threaten this natural system. Restoring our native dryland forest is essential to strengthening watershed health, increasing moisture retention, and revitalizing the cultural and ecological functions that have long defined this region.
This project is critically important to our community because:
• It strengthens climate resilience by restoring native forest cover, increasing cloud interception, and reducing wildfire risk.
• It protects culturally significant landscapes and native species that carry deep ancestral and cultural value.
• It creates meaningful community impact through education, stewardship, and partnerships across Maui Nui.
I have personally attended their outreach programs at Pu’u Mahoe and it has given me more drive and inspiration and understanding of my kuleana to this moku. Uhiwai o Haleakalā works tirelessly throughout countless community events, educational opportunities, that they share with visitors of Maui, and give them interactive opportunities to help plant native plants that they will use to reforest the leeward side of Haleakalā. They engage with visitors and have these guest leave with a sense of purpose, accomplishment to be able to look toward their hometowns to see how they could best implement practices at home. Not only is their work vital to the ecosystem here on Honua’ula, I have seen how this work brings people together, uplifts the ʻāina, and strengthens our collective connection to place.
I respectfully urge you to vote in favor of advancing this initiative to revive the Nāulu Cloud Bridge. Your support will help ensure healthier forests, stronger watersheds, increased community stewardship, and a more resilient Maui for future generations.
Mahalo for your time, leadership, and thoughtful consideration. I deeply appreciate your commitment to the well-being of our ʻāina and our community.
With respect,
Jobi Miguel
Director of Hawaiian Cultural at the Fairmont Kea Lani