Friends of Moku'ula – Ka 'I'imi 'Ike

Maui Nei kumu Wainani Kealoha and Kalapana Kollars greeted 11 Lanaʻi families with over 50 participants as they shared the history of Hawaiʻi, focusing on the rich, abundant history of Lāhainā.

The Queen Liliuokalani Childrenʻs Center hosted the Maui huakaʻi, as part of the work that they do to honor the legacy of the Queen.  The legacy is based on the philosophy of community building using Hawaiian cultural and spiritual values.  Focusing their efforts on strengthening families, they are able to support the development of healthy, resilient children.

Embarking on Makaʻikaʻi Ma Loko o Lāhainā, A Journey Through Lāhaināʻs past, the tour was led to the Hauola birthing stone and heard about this special place of healing and creation, stepping into the missionary period at the Baldwin House and walking the back streets to hear about the immigration of plantation workers.  Stopping at Waiola Church and Cemetery, they learned why the aliʻi chose to settle in the area.   Mokuʻula was the crowning glory and it was evident that they each understood and connected with the revered site, respecting and honoring the ancestors and paying homage to the Queenʻs legacy.

Viewing the remains of King Kamehamehaʻs taro loʻi

Taking a break at the Baldwin House

Kumu Wainani Kealoha at the Hauola Stone

Walking in the footsteps of our ancestors

Intense focus on the Mokuʻula art rendering

Putting it into perspective...I ka wa mamua, I ka wa mahope...the future is in the past

Mahalo nui Senator Inouye for supporting Moku'ula!

Friends of Moku’ula staff attended the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Convention at the Hawai’i Convention Center in Honolulu August 25-27, 2009.  During the 3-day event called, I Kia Ano I Mua – Making Our Future Now, FOM staff attended workshops, luncheons and plenary sessions on topics ranging from Community Development to Policy.  They also had a chance to participate in crafting CNHA’s top priorities list being sent to President Obama.  Shirley, Jessica, and Anabelle spent much of the three days networking and sharing information about our Ka ‘I ‘imi ‘Ike program.  They even got the chance to Mahalo Senator Daniel K. Inouye for his support of the restoration of Moku’ula. FOM would like to Mahalo CNHA for their continued support!

Shirley Ann Kaha'i and CNHA President & CEO, Robin Puanani Danner

Shirley and Anabelle enjoy the exhibits

Shirley and CNHA V.P. and CFO Napali Woode & Princess Cruises Rep. Dale Hahn.

Shirley and Jessica greet Irene Hirano Inouye, President of the U.S.-Japan Council and wife of Senator Daniel K. Inouye

Friends of Moku’ula and Maui Nei Native Expeditions welcomed the first group of 26 haumana from Kamehameha School’s Ho’olauna Summer Program to the Moku’ula site on June 19th.  This is the first of six groups from the program to visit the site, learn about Moku’ula from Maui Nei Kumu and help Field School archaeologist Janet Six with GIS mapping of the site. Their mapping efforts will help inform the UH-MCC field school excavation efforts later this summer, as well as the overall restoration efforts at the site.  They also helped us beautify the site by planting Kī and Ma’o. Mahalo nui to the Ho’olauna Kumu and their haumana for their visit and kōkua. We welcome the next groups on June 26th, July 3rd, July 10th, July 17th, and July 24th.

The participatory GIS archaeological mapping activity will help the field school excavation and restoration efforts

The haumana help to flag glass found on the surface for a GIS mapping activity

Maui Nei Kumu, Kalapana Kollars shares the mo'olelo of the Waine'e ahupua'a

Ho'olauna Kumu, Hōkūao Pellegrino gives his haumana a lesson on native plants

The haumana participate in planting to beautify the Moku'ula site

These haumana work together to plant kī on the Moku'ula berm

The Maui Nei tour is concluded makai of Moku'ula where the fresh water still flows to the ocean

A new Kī plant graces the site

OLL Staff gather for a blessing before starting their clean-up

Friends of Moku’ula were excited to welcome long-time friends, Old Lāhainā Lū’au (OLL) and their staff to the site for a pre-field school clean-up day on June 19th.  Over 20 OLL staff were at Moku’ula bright and early to help maintain the monument, pick-up rubbish, and clear brush. A heartfelt Mahalo to Julie Yoneyama for organizing the day and the OLL crew for their dedication and hard-work in the hot sun.

OLL brought equipment for brush clearing

Mahalo OLL for your hard work!

Shirley Ann Kaha'i, Acting Exec. Director, opens the forum

Aloha and welcome to our new Blog! This blog is funded in part by a grant from Hawai’i Tourism Authority and will be used to primarily update you on our current program Ka ‘I’imi ‘Ike. Posts will be made by our staff and participants in the program, but feel free to send us a note or comment about any of our articles. We hope you enjoy.

On April 3rd, FOM held its first community forum to introduce Ka ‘I’imi ‘Ike –  our 2009 Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Kūkulu Ola-Living Hawaiian Culture Program, and listen to the community’s mana’o about the future of the Moku‘ula restoration project. The meeting was held at King Kamehameha III Elementary School Cafeteria and we had over 100 in attendance. We were honored to listen to the feedback from so many of our Kupuna and community leaders.  Archaeologist Janet Six from University of Hawai’i-Maui Community College gave an informative presentation about the science behind the upcoming field school on-site and provided the ono pupu’s.

We’d like to thank her for her commitment to the program.  We’d also like to send a special Mahalo nui to Janet Bostick and her Ohana for donating some of the food and supplies for the meeting, as well as spending time setting up and cleaning up.  The next community meeting will be on May 5th. Keep a look out for the invite!  A hui hou and Mahalo for your support.

Friends of Moku’ula Board and Staff

Guests sign-in at first community forum

Janet Six, Archaeologist from UH-MCC, explains some of the scientific methods planned for the summer field school.