Old Lahaina Prison Wall Damaged in Hit-and-Run Accident

Old Lahaina Prison damaged wall. PC: courtesy Lahiana Restoration Foundation

The Lahaina Restoration Foundation is seeking the public’s help in finding information about a hit-and-run accident that resulted in damage to the exterior wall of the Old Lahaina Prison.

According to the LRF, the accident occurred on Friday, June 15, sometime in the middle of the night.  The organization reports that a vehicle slammed into the Waineʻe Street wall of the Old Lahaina Prison, near the Prison Street intersection. The driver reportedly left the scene.

Background information on the Old Lahaina Prison: (Information courtesy Lahaina Restoration Foundation)

The Old Lahaina Prison was built in the early 1850s to detain the many rowdy whalers who were causing havoc in Lahaina town. Coral blocks for the prison’s massive walls were taken from the fort at the harbor and repurposed for the prison. When oil was discovered in 1859, demand for whale oil plummeted causing the whaling ships and their wayward crews to leave town. The prison fell into ruin.

In partnership with the County of Maui, Lahaina Restoration Foundation restored the Old Lahaina Prison in 1985. Today, the site is under management of LRF and is open daily to the public from 10 to 4 p.m.

Lahaina Restoration is seeking the public’s help in finding information about the accident. Information can be sent to [email protected] or can be called in to (808) 661-3262.