HPPA Recognized for Excellence in Supporting National Parks

At the Public Lands Alliance convention awards ceremony and banquet in February 2017, Hawaii Pacific Parks Association placed in two partnership categories.

Makana the Nēnē Plush

HPPA won first place for “Innovative Product of the Year” with Makana the Nēnē Plush. The realistic custom plush represents the beloved native Hawaiian goose and official State Bird of Hawaiʻi. It inspires visitors as it speaks to the vital role of conservation efforts at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and Haleakalā National Parks, something that HPPA has supported for decades. Now, for the first time in HPPA’s 83-year history, anyone can directly donate to nēnē conservation through the purchase of Makana at our park stores as well as its online store.

HPPA also won honorable mention for “Outstanding Public Engagement” with “Hawai‘i Volcanoes and Haleakalā National Park Centennial Celebrations” featuring the centennial logos created by HPPA’s product development team in close collaboration with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes andHaleakalā National Parks.

These commemorative logos were featured on signs and banners, and a line of limited edition centennial collectibles were created and sold in our park stores and online.

HPPA participated in centennial events alongside both national parks throughout the year, and donated an additional “$100K for 100 Years” as a special mid-year cash donation shared among all six of our national park partners in Hawaiʻi and American Samoa.

Founded in 1933, HPPA provides support through nonprofit stores located in the visitor centers of six national parks in Hawaiʻi and American Samoa, as well as online.

HPPA’s core purpose is to inspire visitors and foster meaningful connections to the parks with a spirit of aloha—for the preservation and enjoyment of the parks forever.

The awards are a testament to HPPA’s team and to the power of partnership and collaboration with national park partners.

The Partnership Awards Program celebrates the best in public lands partnerships, recognizing leading-edge achievements in lands preservation and visitor enrichment.