Ka Lanakila Church Restoration
April 2023 - On April 1, 2023, nearly 50 volunteers gathered with the Lāna‘i Culture and Heritage Center to mālama (care for) two of the island’s most treasured places: Hawai‘i’s largest remaining dryland forest and the historic church at Keōmoku. This volunteer stewardship effort focused on removing invasive species—such as kiawe and lantana—and clearing fallen debris to protect both the environment and a meaningful cultural site.
The church, built in 1903, served the Keōmoku community until 1951, when residents moved upland. Although the community is no longer there, the spirit of the place endures. Between 2010 and 2012, the Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center undertook a major restoration and stabilization project. Educational signage was also installed to help visitors understand the cultural and historical significance of this once-thriving coastal village.
This April's workday continued that legacy of care and preservation. Volunteers of all ages came together in the spirit of aloha ‘āina to honor Lāna‘i’s natural and cultural heritage. These efforts not only help protect the dryland forest ecosystem but also ensure that future generations can learn from and appreciate the stories rooted in this place.
Efforts like these are made possible thanks to the generosity of our donors. Every contribution—whether large or small—helps sustain important cultural preservation programs like this one. Go here to give.
On April 1, 2023 Lāna‘i Culture and Heritage Center volunteers worked to restore Hawai'i's largest dryland forest and Lāna‘i's Ka Lanakila Church. Volunteers helped clean up the church through the removal of invasive plants like kiawe and lantana and fallen debris.
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