Hui Kakoo Collection
In 2009, the directors of Hui Kakoo, an organization which works on repatriation projects, and which is tied to Lanai, received a collection of ivory and glass beads from the Bishop Museum, to be returned to Lanai. Hui Kakoo accepted responsibility for the items which were collected by George Munro in 1926, and gave them to the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center for long-term care. The beads are reflective of the period of early western interactions with Hawaiians, and being made of ivory and glass, they are believed to date from around 1815-1817. The beads were restrung on fine native cordage, and are exhibited with other personal ornaments of ancient and early historic period origin.
The FitzGerald Family Collection
In 1898 John C. FitzGerald moved to Maui, and in ca. 1903, he became the Territorial Veterinarian covering the islands of Maui, Lanai, Kahoolawe and Molokai. Over the years of Dr. FitzGeralds’ work he was given and found a significant collection of Hawaiian artifacts, coming from the islands on which he worked. The collection included wooden and stone items, some of which are quite rare. The collection of Dr. FitzGerald was passed down through his family, and in 2009, Patrick FitzGerald, a great grandson of Dr. Fitzgerald, along with his wife Susan, visited Lanai, seeking a home for their 26 items from the original FitzGerald collection.
In July 2010, the collection was received on Lanai, and is now being cared for as a long term loan. While coming from Lanai and other islands of Maui County (provenience of all items is not clearly documented), these mea makamae, add important resources to the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center displays. The wooden umeke (calabashes), a kauila wood spear, a kuula (fisherman’s god), and other pieces are treasured additions to our indigenous exhibits.
Growing the Collections of the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center
Our collections also include many thousands of items families of Lanai, private collections, the Dole/Castle & Cooke Hawaii collections, and others who are interested in the stewardship of Lanai’s history. The collections include:
1) Indigenous Hawaiian artifacts; 2) Historical journals, maps and photographs; 3) Plantation records; 4) Publications and manuscripts; 5) ethnic materials reflective of the people who settled Lanai as a part of the Hawaiian Pineapple Co. Ltd./Dole planation operation.
Please remember that we are always looking for items which are reflective of Lanai’s diverse history—the land, people and events—which make Lanai a unique place. Please contact us if you think you might have items which would be of value to the Mission and Vision of the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center. Call (808) 565-7177 or email us.