Empower the Future through Legacy Donations
Legacy donations may be made through charitable bequests in wills or trusts, via transfer of stock, and more.
Call us at (808) 249-2798
to learn more.
Charitable legacies can have a significant and lasting impact on non-profit organizations, allowing them to undertake projects, expand their facilities, or enhance their programs for the benefit of their mission.
Below we honor some beloved philanthropists with deep roots on Maui and how their gifts made a difference to the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens.
Background on Mary Cameron Sanford
Mary Cameron Sanford hailed from three prominent missionary families and was born in Hamakuapoko on April 27, 1930. Her love for Maui and its history ran deep, and she cared profoundly for the island and its people.
Sanford’s upbringing included a passion for animals, and she cherished her childhood memories of riding a horse named Melekula through the pineapple fields. Her family had a rich tradition of giving back to the community, and this spirit of generosity was ingrained in her.
Sanford’s family’s work is visible throughout the Maui community. They are responsible for the Kula Sanitarium. Her father established the J. Walter Cameron Center, which is home to many nonprofit organizations and public agencies. Her mother started Hui No’eau, a visual arts center in Makawao.
Sanford served as chairwoman and president of Maui Land & Pineapple Co., which went on to develop the Kapalua Resort. She also was publisher of The Maui News, from 1986 to 1996.
In 2008, Maui Nui Botanical Gardens was thrilled to receive a generous donation from Mary Cameron Sanford.
Her wish was to construct a memorial to her late husband Wallace G. Sanford, who was the former Dean of U.H. College of Tropical Agriculture.
Our first discussion was a small memorial garden, but after careful consideration of the needs of MNBG, it was agreed that we would construct a simple open hale structure to serve a multifunctional purpose as the Gardens’ educational focal point, a shaded meeting area, and an open classroom/workshop area.
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The hale now serves as an educational hub where hundreds of residents and schoolchildren gather each year for classes and lessons. It embodies Mary’s commitment to the island’s heritage and environmental conservation.
Projects in Need: Future Legacy Donations
Opportunities exist in assisting in the effort towards restoring West Maui and Upcountry areas devastated by wildfires using native Hawaiian plants.
MNBG is a leader in the “seed banking” of coastal Hawaiian plants and plants associated with higher altitudes such as ʻŌhiʻa. This ensures that these plants are available for the future use of land managers in Hawaiʻi regardless of disasters.
In addition to seed storage, propagation of native Hawaiian species is increasing on Maui to assist the recovery of disaster affected land without using non-native plants simply for expediency.
Efforts are currently being made to improve our nursery capacity to assist in these efforts. Already, annually on Arbor day, MNBG gives thousands of trees to a public that embraces the cultural heritage represented by these plants.
A more water conservative and efficient nursery at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens will be a big step toward preserving Hawaii’s natural heritage for generations to come, and will target environmental needs created by recent events.
