Lanai An Historical Overview

Keahiakawelo–
Ka Lama o Lanai

LANAI—AN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Plantation Exhibit at the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center

When visiting the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center, you will find that the exhibits are organized by cultural and historical themes, with emphasis on the 1,000 years of Hawaiian residency since the early settlement of the island, and through the end of the plantation era.

The collection also includes cultural materials from some of the primary immigrants to Lanai as a part of the plantation era development, focusing on the largest resident populations—residents of Filipino and Japanese ancestry. There are also included in the exhibits, historic photos depicting the Hawaiian, Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Puerto Rican, and Western residents, all of whom contributed to the growth and evolution of Lanai through the 20th century.

If you have questions about the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center or about appropriate places to visit on Lanai, please feel free to inquire of our staff.

Should you find yourself out in the field visiting some of Lanai's natural and cultural areas, we ask you to please travel carefully, and not to disturb sites of resources. As the old saying goes, "Take only photographs, and leave only foot prints behind."

Should you wish to help, or make contributions to the programs of the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center please contact us. Mahalo a nui!

Kaunaoa Lei
(Cuscuta sandwichiana)

Noted as a lei for the people of the windward shores of Lanai; and commemorated in a mele inoa (name chant) for the chief Haalelea, once owner of the ahupuaa of Palawai.

Click to hear 'Oli,
"Hanohano Lanai i ke Kaunaoa"
(chanted by Kepa Maly)

Hanohano Lanai i ke kaunaoa,
Kohu kapa 'ahu'ula kau po'ohiwi,
E ola Lanai a Kaululaau.
Hea aku makou, e o mai 'oe.

Lanai is distinguished by the kaunaoa,
Which is like a feather cloak set upon
its shoulders,
May there be life upon Lanai of
the chief Kaululaau.
We call to you, that you may answer us.

Lanai—GLIMPSES INTO AN ISLAND HISTORY

The history of Lanai is rich and diverse, spanning first, some 800 years of native Hawaiian residency and subsistence practices (ca. 1000-1800 A.D.). Then following 1800, there was a decline in the native population as foreign influences began to grow. On Lanai, this led to the development of ranching interests—generally under the direction of large land owners, and spanning a 100 year period from the 1850s to 1950.

Ancient Hawaiian villages, ceremonial features, dry-land agricultural fields, fishponds, and a wide range of cultural sites dot the shoreline of Lanai at places like Keone, Kaumalapau, Kaunolu, Mamaki, Kapalaoa, Kapihaa, Hulopoe, Manele, Kamaiki, Naha, Kahemano, Lopa, Kahalepalaoa, Kahea, Keomoku, Kaa, Hauola, Maunalei, (including a wet land taro field system in the valley), Kahokunui, Kaiolohia, Awalua, Polihua and Kaena.

In the uplands, localities at Kaa, Koele, Kihamaniania, Kamoku uka, Kalulu uka, Kaunolu uka, Kealia Aupuni and Kealia Kapu, and Palawai were also locations of significant traditional settlements.

The Last Hawaiian Thatched House on Lanai, at
Palawai (1912 - Dole Collection)

Several important traditions pertaining to the settlement of Lanai, and beliefs and practices of the ancient residents are also commemorated at such places as Puhi-o-Kaala, Halulu, Puu Pehe, Kalaehi, Pohaku O, Ke-ahi-a-Kawelo, Kanepuu, Kaena iki, Nanahoa, and Haalele Paakai.

Ruins of Ancient Loi Kalo (Taro pond fields) in Maunalei Valley (Dole Collection, 1912)

A look into the traditions and historical residency on Lanai offers us—in the present day—lessons for living in a sustainable manner on our unique island home.

Native subsistence practices continued through ca. 1920. Early efforts at commercial agriculture were undertaken in the middle 1800s—with particular efforts focused on lands at Palawai, as part of a native Hawaiian settlement under the direction of Mormon elders. The first plantation on Lanai was a sugar endeavor that lasted only about three years
(1899-1901), and was based out of the Maunalei-Keomoku region on the windward side of the island.