MOKU’ULA EXCAVATION TO DOUBLE AS OUTDOOR CLASSROOM

A grant funded by the Hawaii Tourism Authority will allow students and visitors on Maui to observe restoration work at Moku’ula in Lahaina. Under the Ka’i’imi’ike program, guests will be able to visit the excavation site and observe the archaeological data recovery process at the sacred location, which once served as a royal residence. The Friends of Moku’ula which oversees the project, hopes to restore the site to its former splendor, which once included a wetland area, small island, fishponds and taro patches.

Archaeology has confirmed the existence of Moku'ula, the royal residences and mausoleum, and Mokuhinia, a large spring fed natural wetland containing taro patches and fishponds. Image courtesy: Friends of Moku'ula.

An informational forum to learn about the program and to share thoughts about the future of the restoration project will be held Friday, April 3rd from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Kamehameha III Elementary School Cafeteria.

The Ka’i’imi’ike program is part of the HTA’s Kukulu Ola, Living Culture Program, designed to educate students and visitors about authentic Hawaiian culture through field study trips.

The archaeological data recovery will be operated by University of Hawai`i-Maui Community College as a Field School (for credit) during the summer and fall of 2009. Community elders, residents and interested visitors are welcome to participate.

Additional information can be obtained by calling the Friends of Moku`ula Inc. at 661-3659 or e-mailing programs@mokuula.com.

(by Wendy OSHER © 2009) (Images courtesy: Friends of Moku’ula)