The Kaunāmano Wahi Kūpuna Stewardship Plan, outlines the development of a resource management strategy to protect and steward Kaunāmano, a significant bio-cultural landscape in the Kaʻū district of Hawaiʻi Island. This area is rich in Hawaiian traditions and features two ancient villages, Pāʻula and Paukū, with well-preserved archaeological sites, caves with unique anchialine habitats, and over three miles of coastal habitat supporting diverse native flora and fauna. The plan aims to ensure the sustained protection of these cultural, biological, and geographical resources.
 

The document details the conservation history, including the successful efforts to save Kaunāmano from development through grants and collaborations with the Ala Kahakai Trail Association (ATA), the Trust for Public Lands, and community stakeholders. It highlights the use of Hawaiʻi County PONC (Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission) funds and a conservation easement to secure 1,363 acres of coastal land for preservation. Additionally, the plan emphasizes the role of community input, cultural-historical research, and conservation strategies in shaping the stewardship approach, with a timeline for activities such as background research, consultations, and final recommendations to be completed by late 2024.