Volunteers Breathe New Life into Sacred Lāna‘i Site

September 2025 — High above the Pacific Ocean at 1,100 feet elevation near Koele, lies Hiʻi, an ancient community of native Hawaiians in which remnants of homes, a heiau and agrarian life still remain. Once nearly lost to time, Hiʻi was first documented in the 1920s by archaeologist Kenneth Emory whose Native Hawaiian guide showed him the site.

On September 6, Lāna‘i Culture and Heritage Center led a group of more than 60 volunteers to Hiʻi for a day of stewardship. The continued stewardship of this sacred site is supported by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation.

Since its remapping in 2016 by Lāna‘i youth in our cultural literacy program, restoration efforts have centered on removing invasive species and restoration of the native ecosystem. For nearly a decade, volunteers have worked to clear invasive overgrowth, making way for native plants to thrive again. Unlike non-native species that hoard rainwater in their tall trunks, native plants absorb only what they need—allowing more water to seep into the ground to support native species and the aquifer. Thanks to these efforts, Hiʻi is experiencing the return of native species like ʻōhiʻa lehua and wauke, a traditional kapa-making plant. These native plants are essential to restoring Lāna‘i’s ecosystem and water cycle.

Cultural sites like Hiʻi are irreplaceable. Thanks to the dedicated stewardship of the Lāna‘i community is actively preserving its heritage while engaging in environmental restoration. Each visit to Hiʻi is more than just volunteer work, it’s a connection to Lāna‘i’s living history. As volunteers clear the land, they connect with a storied past and honor those who thrived here for centuries.