Kealoha Pisciotta, president of Mauna Kea Ainana Hou, will present the first lecture, “Mauna Kea – The Temple: Protecting Sacred Sites,” on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m.

LAHAINA – The 2018 West Maui Speakers Series will hold its first lecture this year at Na ‘Aikane O Maui Cultural Center (560-A Front St.).

Kealoha Pisciotta, president of Mauna Kea Ainana Hou, will present the first lecture, “Mauna Kea The Temple: Protecting Sacred Sites,” on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; food will be provided.

The 2018 series will feature off-island scholars and innovators and their research and work around Hawaii. Major funding has been provided by the HK West Maui Community Fund and is co-sponsored by the Na ‘Aikane O Maui Cultural Center, the series host, and the Ku’e Petition Hui.

Scholars will be talking on everything from Hawaiian archaeology to zoology.

The second lecture will be presented by Dr. Ronald Williams, president of the Hawaiian Historical Society, on March 8 entitled “Kaulana Na Pua: Claiming Space for the Histories of Past Po’e Aloha ?’Aina Lahaina.”

The series will feature a public lecture monthly at the Na ‘Aikane O Maui Cultural Center on the third Thursday of every month (except March).

Other scholars include Dr. Donovan Preza, Dr. Kim Compoc, Dr. Willy Kauai, Narissa Spies, Dr. Noelani Goodyear-Ka’opua, Dr. Noelani Arista, Dr. Kahikina de Silva and Dr. Kekuewa Kikiloi.

All lectures are free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Public lectures begin at 6 p.m. Dinner or heavy pupus will be served.