Lori Shultz won the October contest for her knowledge on the Spring House.

LAHAINA — The Spring House was the focal point of Lahaina Restoration Foundation’s October Malama Lahaina Employee Award Program.

The monthly contest seeks to increase Lahaina employees’ knowledge about the historical and cultural legacy of Lahaina, so they can share this information

with their customers.

Lori Shultz of Oh Baby! Retail Store won the October contest.

On the south side of Campbell Park, tucked away just yards from busy Front Street, is a stone structure named the Spring House.

It was built to shelter a freshwater artesian well from which the cool underground water was once tapped.

The well was the primary source of water supplied to the whaling ships docked in the Lahaina roadstead.    

This proved to be the most convenient source for crews bringing large barrels to shore to refill and transport the water to the whaling ships. Later, this historic building — with its curved reinforced wooden doors — housed a huge Fresnel lens once used in the Lahaina Lighthouse.

Shultz commented, “This is such a great way to learn about the history that is all around us. The foundation does a great job at passing on this history to residents and visitors. I use this information to reach out to my customers, and they truly appreciate it.”

Shultz received a $20 gift certificate from Penne Pasta.

Questions for the monthly program, which is sponsored by Penne Pasta and Mala Ocean Tavern, will be faxed the beginning of each month and can also be viewed on the foundation’s website at www.lahainarestoration.org. For more information, call 661-3262 or e-mail info@lahainarestoration.org.