Old Lahaina Prison Wall Repairs Slated for Completion Before Year’s End

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

Restoration of one of the buttresses on the exterior wall of the Old Lahaina Prison will be completed before the end of the year. The Lahaina Restoration Foundation has acquired all necessary permits, and has received a laboratory analysis to accurately recreate the 1852 lime mortar.

On June 15 of last year, a vehicle crashed into the exterior wall, damaging a buttress before leaving the scene. The damage scattered the coral blocks, which were originally part of the fort at Lahaina Harbor. Thanks to generous donors, the LRF was able to raise $10,000 for an authentic restoration of the damaged buttress.

A lot of time has been dedicated to securing permits to start the restoration, as well as a proper analysis of the mortar composition used in the original wall construction. The LRF has obtained a Special Area Management Permit, a Historic District Permit, and learned the project is exempt from a Building Permit. LRF has also received lab results allowing for a formulation of lime mortar as close as possible to the 1852 original.

The last step is to coordinate with a mason skilled in historically accurate construction. “Masons skilled with using lime mortar instead of modern concrete are a rarity in today’s construction world,” according to the LRF.

The project is nearing the end of preparations and restoration will be underway soon, according to the LRF.

LRF Executive Director, Theo Morrison said “I have great confidence that the wall repairs will be complete by the end of 2019.”