LAHAINA - The community group Friends of Moku'ula will host an open ceremony Saturday morning for its joint partnership to preserve the historic Native Hawaiian archaeological site in Lahaina.
The event kicks off the companion Ka I'imi 'ike Program in collaboration with the University of Hawaii Maui College, New York University and Brown University. The ceremony had been planned for Feb. 27, but the tsunami scare postponed the event until 9 a.m. Saturday at Malu-ulu-o-Lele Park. The county park is across the road from the 505 Front Street shopping compex.
Mokuula is the former home of kings and queens, dating back to 700 A.D., and one of Hawaii's most significant archaeological dig sites.
In addition to the group's Ka I'imi 'ike Program, UH-Maui College is establishing an Archaeological Field School at Mokuula.
The Bishop Museum began excavation and recovery efforts back in 1993, and the archaeology program continues that work.
When Lahaina was the seat of the Hawaiian monarchy, spring-fed canals flowed through the village. Those wetlands - and a century-old, man-made island home for the alii, or ruling class, - remain buried under the county park.
The island was in the middle of a pond, called Loko o Mokuhinia, which was the cultural and sacred center of the kingdom. The Piilani and Kamehameha chieftain lines made their home in Mokuula.
It is said that a deity, Mo'o Akua Kihawahine, also made her home in the waters.
The ponds and canals were eventually drained by the West Maui sugar plantations.
However, below the earth's surface are the ruins of Moku'ula, with its royal homes and a mausoleum as well as the canals, taro patches and fish ponds.
On Saturday, Friends of Moku'ula cultural adviser and kumu hula Hokulani Holt-Padilla is set to open ceremonies by teaching UH-Maui College students ancient chants.
Friends of Moku'ula ask that people contact event organizers if they plan to attend Saturday's event by calling 661-3659 or sending e-mail to friends @mokuula.com.
For more information about the Mokuula excavation, call Janet Six at six@hawaii.edu.
