Historic Hawai‘i Foundation presented the 2015 Kama‘āina of the Year Award to Neil J.K. Hannahs at the 40^th annual benefit on Saturday, September 26. Some 580 guests celebrated his achievements in community-based cultural land stewardship at the event at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikīkī.

Historic Hawai‘i Foundation annually recognizes individuals who have contributed to preserving Hawaii’s rich history.  The Kama‘āina of the Year™ event furthers Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s mission to preserve and encourage the preservation of historic buildings, objects, sites and communities significant to the history of the Hawaiian Islands.

Hannahs directs the Land Assets Division of Kamehameha Schools, which is responsible for 358,000 acres of agriculture and conservation lands in Hawai‘i. Hannahs’ approach to land management is based on caring for the cultural, natural and water resources; creating sustainable systems to produce food, renewable energy and timber; supporting sustainable, community-based economic development, and fostering social enterprise development to engage Hawaiian stakeholders in these strategies.

Hannahs directs the Land Assets Division of Kamehameha Schools, which is responsible for 358,000 acres of agriculture and conservation lands in Hawai‘i. Hannahs’ approach to land management is based on caring for the cultural, natural and water resources; creating sustainable systems to produce food, renewable energy and timber; supporting sustainable, community-based economic development, and fostering social enterprise development to engage Hawaiian stakeholders in these strategies.