Celebrate Historic Lahaina This Weekend

By Vanessa Wolf

The new entrance to the Lahaina Heritage Museum exhibits. Courtesy photo.

This coming weekend, the Lahaina Restoration Foundation will be presenting “Celebrate Historic Lahaina.”

Events kick off on Friday at 3 p.m. when author Katherine Kama‘ema‘e Smith will present a copy of “The Fleming Journals: West Maui Land Records and Family History 1905-1910” to the Lahaina Library.

She will also speak about how these journals may be used to find West Maui kuleana lands and family histories.

Then, from 6 to 9 p.m. is the grand opening of the the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) exhibits at the Lahaina Heritage Museum in the Old Lahaina Courthouse.

A reception, speeches and blessing ceremony by Kekoa Yap will be followed with tours of the new exhibit and interactive displays on both floors of the courthouse.

“The NOAA exhibits were an ambitious project that was two years in the making,” stated Theo Morrison, Lahaina Restoration Foundation Executive Director. “We are thrilled to open the doors and let the public enjoy this exciting, educational display. Lahaina Restoration Foundation is very appreciative of the financial support from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and the many artifacts and family heirlooms that the community has loaned us for display.”

Brace yourselves, because on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a hodgepodge of activities at the Old Lahaina Courthouse, Banyan Tree Park, Lahaina Harborfront and Lahaina Library Park, among others.

The events start with an arts and crafts fair featuring Hawaiian musical entertainment held under the banyan tree. Enjoy public art-in-action projects, including a mural of a life-size whale’s tail.

The LHM courhouse signs. Courtesy photo.

Specific times have not been released, but the West Maui Watershed Ridge to Reef Relay Race will take place on the Courthouse lawn accompanied by photos and displays from the Coral Reef Alliance and Makai Watch.

There will be lots of activities for children, such as a keiki fishing game and the Hawai‘i Sanctuary Classic Fishing Contest. Entry is free to all kids. Poles, lines, hooks and buckets are provided.

Contest registration is at the loading dock across from Pioneer Inn. Participants will receive a coupon for a free shave ice at Banyan Treats.

Boys and girls 17 years and younger are eligible for the 3rd Annual Grom Magazine Lahaina Surf Bash on the waves of U‘o in the harbor.

Also on the ocean, but this time in front of Lahaina Library, the Lahaina Yacht Club will host its Junior Sailing Program with 9-foot sailboats racing in nearby waters.

The Yacht Club will also be giving free, 45-minute sails in its 30-foot sailboat. Register at the loading dock across from Pioneer Inn between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

More of a landlubber? Charlie Nolan, a woodworker from the former International Festival of Canoes in Lahaina, will be carving a traditional Hawaiian canoe near the Lahaina Library.

In addition, free walking tours of Lahaina’s historic and cultural sites will be offered by Maui Nei Native Expeditions, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sign up at the Friends of Moku‘ula display booth on the Lahaina Library’s makai lawn.

If you’d like to learn more about traditional Hawaiian games, food, and practices then this event has you covered.

Throughout the day, old Hawaiian games will be held on the Lahaina Library’s mauka lawn, featuring ‘ulu maika, kōnane, pahe‘e and more.

Hawaiian cultural demonstrations will take place around Lahaina Library, featuring hands-on kapa making, poi pounding and kalo planting. Traditional Hawaiian fishing techniques will also be demonstrated.

Lastly, a tasting booth next to Lahaina Library will offer samples of traditional Hawaiian foods, such as inamona, opihi, he‘e, ahi/aku poke, ele‘ele, kulolo, haupia, ‘ulu and ‘uala so be sure to check that out.

The stated purpose behind the Celebrate Historic Lahaina events is to “bring the community back to the harbor area and bring awareness to its many Hawaiian cultural sites” so be sure to get out there this weekend and become aware.