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Stories2025-04-22T08:44:03-10:00

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Find out how Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center partners with keiki, kupuna and community. Find us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and watch videos on YouTube.

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HI Now Feature – Lāna‘i Guide App

August 2022 –Explore the rich natural and cultural history of Lāna‘i with the Lāna‘i Guide App! HI Now host Kainoa Carlson catches up with Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center’s Executive Director, Shelly Preza, as she shares with us how the app can be used as a resource to discovering what the island has to offer.

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Avada Galerie

Old Dole Administration Building
730 Lāna‘i Avenue Suite 118
P.O. Box 631500
Lāna‘i City, Hawai‘i 96763

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday
11 am to 3 pm

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808-565-7177

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99 years ago this historic theatre opened as one of town square’s first buildings, marking a new era for the island. From silent films accompanied by live violin music to modern-day blockbusters, Lāna‘i Theater has entertained four generations.⁠ ⁠ The Daldes and Tamashiro families operated the theater until it closed in the late 1970s. It reopened as Lānaʻi Theater and Playhouse in 1993 and hosted live community productions and also films. In 2006, the Playhouse portion of the building was dedicated as the Lānaʻi Community Fitness Center. In 2014, after major renovations, it reopened as a state-of-the-art entertainment theater.🎬💛⁠ ⁠ What’s your favorite memory of Lāna‘i Theater?
Mānewanewa, known also as pōhinahina or kolokolo kahakai, is a native plant once abundant in the Ka‘ā coast region. This plant holds significance for the people of Lāna‘i, especially those from the Ka‘ā-Paoma‘i lands, where it was cherished as a symbol of connection and identity.⁠ ⁠ Lāna‘i kūpuna have shared that elders once wore mānewanewa lei to gatherings, a custom symbolizing their origins. This practice shared the stories and pride of Ka‘ā’s coastal people.⁠
Locally loved Kaumālapa‘u Harbor holds a special place in the hearts of Lāna‘iʻs people. A favorite spot for water fun, many learned to swim here with family and friends. While the breakwater and stairs have changed over time, the harbor remains a beloved part of our history and community. Enjoy a few words from lifelong resident and retired Judge, Dean Del Rosario, who also serves on our Board of Directors.
On this Boy’s Day, we honor the spirit of adventure, belonging and growing up Lāna'i style. Here’s a glimpse of @boyscoutofamerica Troop 66, an active part of plantation life, on an outing in Maunalei Valley. 🔊 Listen to Kupuna share memories.
Happy May Day! 🌺During the plantation days, parades on Lānaʻi Avenue featured festive floats and a traditional May Day court. If you look closely, you can spot the theater rooftop in the background. 🏠
Last weekend we held our 4th Annual Kupulau Festival to celebrate the island’s biocultural landscape and native ecosystem restoration as part of Earth Week 2025. Keiki enjoyed poi pounding, crafts, lei making and other activities that included a plant sale and giveaway.⁠ ⁠ Performances included: Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻO Lānaʻi, Nā Hula O Laʻikealoha and Saul Kahihikolo. Conservation partners statewide hosted educational booths with activities and shared their stewardship efforts. Couldn’t have done it without the generosity of KS Kaiāulu and the National Fish & Wildlife - @kskaiaulu @nfwf
99 years ago this historic theatre opened as one of town square’s first buildings, marking a new era for the island. From silent films accompanied by live violin music to modern-day blockbusters, Lāna‘i Theater has entertained four generations.⁠ ⁠ The Daldes and Tamashiro families operated the theater until it closed in the late 1970s. It reopened as Lānaʻi Theater and Playhouse in 1993 and hosted live community productions and also films. In 2006, the Playhouse portion of the building was dedicated as the Lānaʻi Community Fitness Center. In 2014, after major renovations, it reopened as a state-of-the-art entertainment theater.🎬💛⁠ ⁠ What’s your favorite memory of Lāna‘i Theater?
Mānewanewa, known also as pōhinahina or kolokolo kahakai, is a native plant once abundant in the Ka‘ā coast region. This plant holds significance for the people of Lāna‘i, especially those from the Ka‘ā-Paoma‘i lands, where it was cherished as a symbol of connection and identity.⁠ ⁠ Lāna‘i kūpuna have shared that elders once wore mānewanewa lei to gatherings, a custom symbolizing their origins. This practice shared the stories and pride of Ka‘ā’s coastal people.⁠
Locally loved Kaumālapa‘u Harbor holds a special place in the hearts of Lāna‘iʻs people. A favorite spot for water fun, many learned to swim here with family and friends. While the breakwater and stairs have changed over time, the harbor remains a beloved part of our history and community. Enjoy a few words from lifelong resident and retired Judge, Dean Del Rosario, who also serves on our Board of Directors.
On this Boy’s Day, we honor the spirit of adventure, belonging and growing up Lāna'i style. Here’s a glimpse of @boyscoutofamerica Troop 66, an active part of plantation life, on an outing in Maunalei Valley. 🔊 Listen to Kupuna share memories.
Happy May Day! 🌺During the plantation days, parades on Lānaʻi Avenue featured festive floats and a traditional May Day court. If you look closely, you can spot the theater rooftop in the background. 🏠
Last weekend we held our 4th Annual Kupulau Festival to celebrate the island’s biocultural landscape and native ecosystem restoration as part of Earth Week 2025. Keiki enjoyed poi pounding, crafts, lei making and other activities that included a plant sale and giveaway.⁠ ⁠ Performances included: Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻO Lānaʻi, Nā Hula O Laʻikealoha and Saul Kahihikolo. Conservation partners statewide hosted educational booths with activities and shared their stewardship efforts. Couldn’t have done it without the generosity of KS Kaiāulu and the National Fish & Wildlife - @kskaiaulu @nfwf
This photo (swipe left) captures tug-o-war at the old baseball field, which is now the site of Hale Kupuna, a senior housing complex. Activities like this drew crowds of islanders together for fun and camaraderie. Organized by local unions, events played a key role in strengthening community ties. Once a baseball field, this area continues to be a symbol of the community’s history and belonging. ⁠
Join us for Kupulau Festival 2025 tomorrow!⁠ ⁠ Saturday, April 26 at 10 am it's happening on our front lawn. Celebrate Lāna‘i’s biocultural landscape with our native plant sale & giveaway. This event will offer 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦: ʻilima, kokiʻo keʻokeʻo, yellow lilikoi, calamansi, beets, peppers, cucumbers, longan, tomatoes, sugar snap peas & more. ⁠ ⁠ 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗘: ʻōhiʻa lehua (red, yellow, orange), kokiʻo ʻula, māmaki, maile, native sandalwood, citrus trees (lemon, lime, tangerine, tangelo, kumquat), dwarf avocado & more.⁠ In addition to lots of plants, we’ll have fun keiki activities, cultural booths, information stations, and live performances. ⁠ ⁠ Mahalo to @kskaiaulu and @nfwf for their support.⁠ ⁠ 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦: @dlnrdar, @hawaiinaturecenter, @hfuuofficial, @himb_soest, Lānaʻi CHC Community Stewardship Program, Lānaʻi Limu Farm, @mauiinvasive, @nature_hi_pal, @oahuisc, @ponopacific, Pūlama Lānaʻi Conservation Department, Pūlama Lānaʻi Nursery Department, and Terraformation. ⁠ ⁠ For more information, visit the link in bio. ⁠

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