THE BEAUTY OF MAUI -- our island's open spaces and lands -- wilderness, beaches, wetlands, archaeological and cultural sites, forests filled with unique native plant and animal species -- these are ours to enjoy. This natural beauty is our island's most precious resource and the foundation or our island's ecology, economy and lifestyle.

BUT MAUI IS CHANGING FAST. An exploding population, deficient infrastructure and breakneck development are threatening our open space resources. Our island's heritage and the soul-satisfying quality of island life is in danger of disappearing before our very eyes.

THE FUTURE OF MAUI is ours to insure. And the best insurance we can provide is to protect and conserve the lands that make up the heart and soul of our island home. MOST IS THE BEST WAY to accomplish these important goals. MOST (Maui Open Space Trust) is a land trust, a non-profit, tax exempt organization dedicated to protecting and conserving important lands. Once protected by MOST these lands, anything from a section of Maui shoreline, an upcountry farm or a pristine native forest, will never be developed. Mauians and visitors can enjoy them forever.

LANDOWNERS ARE INVITED to discuss the benefits to them, and the community, of land conservation via MOST. If there is mutual interest, the land is then assessed and a fair market value is determined. WHEN THE PARTIES AGREE that some form of conservation is a mutual goal landowners are then offered a number of protection options.

THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT: This option allows the landowner to retain title, tax benefits, estate values and other benefits. The landowner grants to MOST an easement which forbids, in perpetuity, further development. MOST then oversees the enforcement of this easement when all or a portion of the land is sold, inherited, or changes ownership in any fashion. Conservation easements do not have to include an entire parcel, landowners may reserve their development rights on any size portion of the property.

OUTRIGHT GIFTS: An outright gift to MOST can be accomplished immediately, upon death by will, or through utilization of a remainder trust. Donors choosing immediate or trust gifts may, and often do, reserve the right to live on the property until death. BARGAIN SALES: When a landowner elects to sell property to MOST for less than its market value everyone wins. Landowners receive cash proceeds and tax benefits. MOST can then re-sell the property, with perpetually binding development restrictions, to a conservation- minded buyer.