Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center restores island Heiau
February 2025 — Maui News, the tri-island county's only daily newspaper, spotlighted the land stewardship efforts of Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center at Hi‘i Agricultural Heiau. The article, written by reporter Megan Moseley, was published in Maui News and is reprinted below. Additional coverage appeared on KITV and All Hawaii News.
Community Volunteers Return to Sacred Heiau
This past weekend, Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center brought together volunteers for a stewardship day at Hi‘i Agricultural Heiau. The sacred and remote site is located about two miles from Koele. According to Executive Director Shelly Kaiaokamalie, the heiau is an important historical and cultural structure.
“Hi‘i is a traditional site built in ancient times. It’s significant both culturally and ceremonially,” she explained.
What Is a Heiau?
A heiau is a place of worship. According to Manoa Heritage Center, its cultural importance is passed down through ritual and prayer. Heiau exist across the Hawaiian Islands—some have been restored, while others are undergoing restoration.
Although Lānaʻi CHC is not rebuilding Hi‘i, it regularly gathers community members to help with stewardship. Volunteers remove invasive trees and plants to open the forest canopy, allowing native plants to thrive.
Restoring Health to ʻĀina
“Our vision is: Ola ka ‘āina, ola ke kānaka, ola ke kaiāulu — thriving land, thriving people, thriving community,” said Kaiaokamalie. “We are working to restore health to the ʻāina. Stewardship workdays like this are a major part of that effort.”
Hi‘i Agricultural Heiau was first documented during a 1920s archaeological study by Kenneth Emory. In 2016, students from Lāna‘i CHC’s cultural literacy program began remapping the site. Hi‘i sits on a terrace about 1,100 feet above sea level, in agricultural lands once cared for by Native Hawaiian tenants.
Creating Meaningful Connections
Kaiaokamalie said these efforts help people build a deeper connection to the land. “Lāna‘i CHC creates educational and stewardship opportunities for students, community members, and visitors. They learn about Hi‘i and the value of restoring our bio-cultural landscapes.”
In addition to Hi‘i, the center organizes stewardship days at other sites, including Waia‘ōpae Fishpond and Kānepu‘u Native Dryland Forest.
“Connecting people back to our culture, history, and ʻāina is the core of what we do,” she said. “These stewardship volunteer days are essential to that mission.”
About Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center
Founded in 2007, Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center is a community-based nonprofit. Its mission is to provide stewardship and education rooted in Lāna‘i’s legacy. The center preserves and celebrates the island’s natural, social, and cultural histories.
It features a climate-controlled display of artifacts and archives. The center also runs programs like the one held this past Saturday, offering immersive educational experiences for all ages.
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If you are considering of volunteering with us, learn more about our upcoming events here.
