The Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center in Lāna‘i City was established in 2007, and is a federally recognized 501c3 non-profit charitable organization. Our programs seek to inspire people to be informed, thoughtful and active stewards of Lāna‘i's legacy landscape by preserving, interpreting and celebrating its natural history, Hawaiian traditions, diverse heritage and cultures, and ranching and plantation era histories.

​

Sharing Lāna'i Culture & Heritage Center Video Tour. Video produced by Anthony Ka'auamo Pacheco, narrated by Executive Director, Kepā Maly.​

BACKGROUND of LĀNA‘I culture & Heritage center

In the late 1980s, the owner of the island at that time began to engage in development on Lāna‘i. The families of the island were concerned that their storied landscape and history would be lost, and they envisioned a place where the history of their island home would be gathered. The idea was to collect a wide range of materials, and develop a place where artifacts and historic memorabilia (photos, papers and textiles), and the stories of our island families would be cared for and passed on to future generations. In 2007 the Lāna‘i CHC was organized in consultation with kūpuna (elders) and island residents as a non-profit charitable organization. In 2010 the center opened a climate controlled display and archive center in the historic Dole Plantation Administration Building. This facility serves as a hub connecting people with traditions, history, land, and the material culture of Lāna‘i. Since opening in late 2007, more than 65,000 people (island residents and guests) have visited Lāna‘i CHC and participated in programs. Our work has been made possible through the support of community members, island guests, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Agape Foundation, the US DOE-Native Hawaiian Education Act, and many individuals who make financial and volunteer contributions to the center.

All financial donations are gratefully acknowledged and tax deductible. All archival collections are cataloged, and recorded in association with the donors and families, and add to our ability to share Lāna‘i's diverse history with the world. Support of the Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center helps us protect our valued collection of artifacts and historical resources and enables us to pass Lāna‘i’s natural & cultural heritage on to present and future generations.​

Connect with us.

Through the portals of this website visitors are provided with access to Lāna‘i’s history through thousands of historical records (documentary resources are being added regularly). The site includes narratives penned in Hawaiian and English describing all facets of Lāna‘i's history, as well photographs, maps, and information covering nearly 1,000 years of residency on the island.​

Families with generational ties to Lāna‘i, residents of Lāna‘i, researchers, and individuals who are planning to visit Lāna‘i will find a wealth of information attached to this site. For people with ties to traditional and historic residents of Lāna‘i, a search through the records may provide you with information about your family and life in days gone by. For researchers, detailed records of place—residency, land tenure, business initiatives, changes in the natural environment, and past conservation efforts—may be found. And for people who are planning a visit to Lāna‘i, you will find interesting notes on places and customs, and tools for planning a visit to a number of the cultural and historical sites on the island. The digital library of this website provides visitors with access to a wide range of primary source documentation on Lāna‘i’s history.​

​Visitors and local residents enjoy exhibits at the Lāna'i Culture & Heritage Center. January 16, 2010. Kepā Maly, photo.

Celebrating the land, resources, people and history of Lāna‘i

E ho‘ohanohano ‘ana i ka wā ma mua, a e ho‘olako ‘ana i ka mua aku!

(Honoring the Past, Enriching the Future!)

​​E ‘ike hou iĀ LĀNA‘I — to know LĀNA‘I once again summer enrichment camp June 8 to july 3, 2015

E ‘Ike Hou i ā  Lāna'i — To Know  Lāna'i Once Again. 

A four week Summer Enrichment Camp and Literacy Field School, June 8 to July 3, 2015. Open to Students currently in Grades 7-12. Deadline to register, April 15, 2015. Contact the Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center, 565-7177 or simon@lanaichc.org Sponsored by the Native Hawaiian Education Grant.

 E ‘Ike Hou Iā Lāna‘i — To Know Lāna‘i Once Again Summer Enrichment Camp. A Four Week Summer Enrichment Camp and Literacy Field School, June 8 to July 3, 2015. Excursions to Lāna‘I Hale, Maunalei, Waia‘ōpae & Naha Fishponds; 1 Week of Camping at Kahalepalaoa; with activities in Archaeology, Marine Science, Watershed Management, Loko I‘a & Lo‘i Kalo Restoration, Haku mele, Hula & Mural Art with 808 Urban. 

EŌ NĀ KEIKI — Heluhelu Puke ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i

​Heluhelu Puke ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i — Note to parents, please accompany your children to the Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center every Thursday, 2:30 to 3:00 pm from February 26th to March 26th, 2015. A Hawaiian book will be read aloud to your children. Any questions contact the Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center, 808 565-7177.