The Maui County Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee meeting on April 19, 2025, highlighted significant discussions regarding a community-led hunting program on Lanai. The program, which operates year-round, allows registered residents to hunt without a bag limit or participation fee. Participants must complete registration forms and attend volunteer days to contribute to local conservation efforts, such as planting native species and removing invasive plants.

The initiative aims to address the growing ungulate population on the island, which poses ecological challenges. While the program does not permit the sale of hunted meat due to USDA regulations, the organization involved ensures that the meat is distributed to local elders who may no longer be able to hunt themselves.

The program is managed by a nonprofit established in 2007, which collaborates with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Pulama Lanai to steward 20,000 acres of land. The nonprofit has been part of this partnership since its inception in 2020. Funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation varies annually, with cumulative support exceeding $300,000 over four years.

The meeting also featured discussions about the importance of conservation efforts on Lanai, with committee members expressing interest in the program's impact and the collaboration with Pulama Lanai's conservation department. The committee plans to follow up on specific funding details and the program's overall effectiveness in addressing local environmental concerns.