Story of Mokuula Island and Mokuhinia Pond in Lahaina, Maui

Lying dormant under a baseball field and parking lot in the historic town of Lahaina on the island of Maui is a special place revered since ancient times. It resides in the crown lands of Ahupua‘a Waine‘e, which follows a freshwater source from the misty slopes of Mauna Kahalawai along the greenbelt of Kaua‘ula Valley to Waiola Church and Cemetery on Waine‘e Street, into 14 acres of now-filled wetlands, flowing out to the ocean at Kamehameha Iki Park on Front Street.
The freshwater pond known as Mokuhinia contained a one-acre sandbar island called Moku‘ula, which was home to the high chiefs of Pi‘ilani since the 16th century and a royal residence for the Kamehameha line in the 19th century. It was guarded by mo‘o goddess, Kihawahine. Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III) ruled Hawai‘i from Moku‘ula between 1830 and 1845 when Lahaina served as the kingdom’s capital.
After the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom moved to Honolulu in 1845, sugar plantations sprouted around Lahaina and diverted water from the underground stream on the mountainside into their fields. The freshwater ponds shrank into marsh and became stagnant around Moku‘ula. In 1862, a chant entitled E Ho‘i Ka Nani I Moku‘ula (Let the Glory Return to Moku‘ula) was composed to lament Lahaina’s loss of the royal residence at Moku‘ula Island.
In the early decades of the 20th century, Mokuhinia was filled with coral rubble dredged from the Lahaina roadstead, and by 1918 the acreage was turned over to the County of Maui for use as Malu‘uluolele Park. For nearly 80 years, the beauty of Moku‘ula and Mokuhinia was forgotten.
Today, the Friends of Moku‘ula are dedicated to breathing new life into this sacred site. In a multi-phased project, the nonprofit organization is committed to restoring the royal complex at Moku‘ula and working with governmental entities to revive the pond of Mokuhinia.

[@kathytappero7179]

Hopefully Lahaina will be built back with a broader respect for Hawaiians and the Hawaiian culture.

[@JahJahJah444]

Lahaina will be rebuilt back and they will receive their lands back as well.... the very word FREEDOM literally means FREE FROM FOREIGN INFLUENCE IN GOVERNMENT. The idea of foreigners ruling over natives is the spirit of white supremacy. The Hawaiians were sovereign, and will be sovereign again - we will see it, this generation shall not pass until we see these things come to fruition

[@angelicafreund8551]

What Maui without the history and the people...

[@la108293]

I would love for this to come to pass. A full restoration would be a true wonder!

[@angelicafreund8551]

It would be a great healing of the land and the people..

[@redsplitrailfence4708]

🙏❤

[@TabithaBarrettRN]

My prayers go out to all Hawaiian natives in the Lahaina area. What a beautiful place with beautiful people! It’s so tragic to witness the destruction and loss these people are experiencing in August 2023. 🙏🏼💗

[@kathysimpson3249]

May this be what is rebuilt! 🙏🏻 All of Lahaina should be returned to Hawaiian people and only the pre occupied (pre colonial) times Be commemorated

[@Better2BFree]

That will not happen!!!!!!!!! The wicked elites already have plans for "themselves"!!!!!!! ("Mark of the Beast")

[@angelicafreund8551]

And the waters be restored to the people for growing food...not for water golf courses.

[@kamgradsr7418]

I had hear about this pond and island from the ladies that worked at Ka'anapali Beach Hotel in the early 1980's when my ex-wife worked over there. We knew it was near this location, but I have never understood why it was destroyed, back filled, and left to be junk like this. My heart is so happy that something will be done to bring back this area. I only wish I was young enough to go there to work the site and kokua to bring it back.

[@alohakeakua6749]

Reconvene Sovereign Hawaiian Kingdom restore Mokuula and Lahaina !

[@kekoayap488]

I can watch and listen to her all day, all night. Love my sister Blossom. She is a walking Library of the Pacific. Love you cousin Kimo Falconer. Mahalo for all your hard work both of you. I ka mamau, ka wa mahope.

[@BackRoadsWine]

Rebuild this and let developement be for Hawaiians first. Tourism will follow.

[@JahJahJah444]

They don't need tourism

[@Freefolkcreate]

Ditch the government pirates and build your beautiful culture ❤

[@tabora410tz]

Informative, except the narrator could've used the Hawaiian name of Mauna Kahālāwai which means "holding house of water," instead of West Maui Mountains. Aloha.

[@cynthianorman44]

💔😞💔😞💔Your Hearts are experiencing severe pains💔😞💔😞💔

[@graceprais9814]

God Reward You Blossom!

[@Beingnessing]

Why are they playing East Indian music?

[@darlenemiller3239]

My great grandfather Maximilian Eckart and William Campbell we have deep roots

[@patrick4625]

So it falls under the category of a historical site dispite the fire....

[@JahJahJah444]

3:46

[@carolwyban3947]

Mahalo❤

[@thefrontporch8594]

This is embarrassing. A place with such significance is still (2021) just a vacant lot! Lotta $ to probably a "nonprofit".

[@user-iv1yi6cz7o]

LOOK TO JESUS CHRIST

[@la108293]

As a Christian I am able to separate my personal beliefs from those of the ones who came before. You should try it sometime. Preserving the past means no disrespect to your belief system. How arrogant.

[@angelicafreund8551]

@@la108293 well said la

[@princeslehuananikumaewakai1767]

Shame on you.....who no belong...☠️☠️☠️

[@user-iv1yi6cz7o]

NOTHING BUT IDOLS..😢

[@JahJahJah444]

Judge and ye shall be judged

[@angelicafreund8551]

And you user...must not get out of your basement much