This project will see to the creation of a cultural corridor and the restoration of Malu ʻUlu o Lele, Mokuʻula and the Loko o Mokuhinia Complex. A Cultural Corridor along the coast will restore, honor and protect culturally significant sites from Mokuʻula to the King’s Loʻi Kalo—including other sites such as, Loko o Nalehu, Loko o Kaluaʻehu and Hale Piula. Restoration of the three areas will create a sustainable and vibrant cultural space that remembers and highlights Hawaiian history, restores Lahaina’s natural wetland coastal ecosystem and cultural historical sites, supports the well-being of the Lahaina community, and, with the planting of ‘ulu trees throughout Lahaina town, reduces urban heat index and provides an abundant food source for generations to come. This project will provide healing for the community, wetland restoration, habitat restoration, cultural restoration, restoration of Native Hawaiian places of historical and spiritual significance, flood mitigation and control, fire risk mitigation through green breaks and water breaks, increase in water flow and groundwater recharge, and a buffer between the ocean and the town to mitigate hazards of sea level rise, shoreline erosion and waves.

Historically, Loko o Mokuhinia was a 17-acre pond among West Maui’s large network of coastal wetlands. Located within the pond was Mokuʻula, an island reserved for high ranking aliʻi. Mokuʻula and Loko o Mokuhinia were highly sacred and culturally significant spaces and served as the residence of Kihawahine, a moʻo goddess and spiritual guardian. In the mid 19th century, water diversions to large-scale plantations in West Maui led to the eventual stagnation of Loko o Mokuhinia. In the early 20th century, the pond was filled and turned into Malu ʻUlu o Lele Park, and today Mokuʻula and Mokuhinia lie about  2 to 3 feet underground. The Native Hawaiian community and broader local community have been fighting for the restoration of Mokuʻula and Mokuhinia for decades. The 2023 Lahaina wildfires stimulated a renewed push across Hawaiʻi for the revitalization of Mokuʻula and Mokuhinia for the healing and recovery of the Lahaina community and lāhui.

• Community engagement is necessary with Native Hawaiian groups and leaders, the Lahaina community and the broader lāhui across Hawaiʻi to ensure that restoration efforts are community led
• Undertake a comprehensive planning process to analyze the area’s historical, cultural and archaeological significance
• Study the existing environmental and hydrological conditions
• Assess potential land acquisition needs Conduct community engagement Develop a master plan and implementation plan
• Identify funding sources for the planning process, implementation and maintenance of the site