Century-old map plots island used by Hawaiian royalty

WAILUKU, Maui (AP) — Archaeologists uncovered several sections of rock walls that are helping define the perimeter of the buried island of Mokuula, where Hawaiian royalty once lived.

The rock walls were discovered with help from a 100-year-old map. Previous studies of the site didn’t have access to the map, which was found in a 19th-century printing shop on the grounds of a western Maui high school.

Lahaina community members say they hope the discoveries will lead to restoration of the island.

“It’s exciting. My father had a dream about doing this in the ’80s,” said local musician Willie K, who grew up in Lahaina. “To see it completed would be awesome in our lifetime.”

The island was a 1-acre sandbar island within a 17-acre freshwater pond that served as the home of the high chiefs of Piilani in the 16th century, according to the nonprofit Friends of Mokuula. While Lahaina was the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, the group said King Kamehameha III ruled from Mokuula between 1830 and 1845.

After the capital moved to Honolulu and sugar plantations began opening up around Lahaina, the pond became a stagnant marsh and was filled in 1916 to prevent it from harboring mosquitoes. A ballpark built later at the location eventually closed in hopes of restoring the site.

The archaeological survey began in September 2015.

“Everyone takes it very seriously,” said Tanya Lee-Greig, Maui island director of Cultural Surveys Hawaii. “Finding a pohaku (rock wall), I can’t even describe it. It’s neat, exciting, you get chicken skin. Everything about it is cool.”

Theresa Donham, historic preservation consultant, said officials are working on a restoration plan for Mokuula.

“The idea is, let’s get (the wall) fixed so it can function again as the retaining wall that protects the island,” Donham said.

Maui County Councilman Don Guzman said the council set aside $400,000 for the restoration effort.