The public can learn about the Moku‘ula/Mokuhinia restoration site in Lahaina through a new series, “Moku‘ula by Moonlight,” that starts on July 1.

LAHAINA – The Friends of Moku’ula is pleased to announce the premiere of a new educational and Hawaiian cultural series, “Moku’ula by Moonlight,” on Wednesday, July 1.

As the full moon rises over Mauna Kahalawai in West Maui at 7:10 p.m., the Moku’ula/Mokuhinia restoration site in Lahaina will be in the spotlight.

During this free program that begins at 6:30 p.m., guests will be treated to mo’olelo (storytelling) by lineal descendants of Moku’ula in Ahupua’a Waine’e, Moku O Lahaina.

They will share their mana’o (thoughts/stories) of how life was in early 20th century Lahaina.

Once the moon rises overhead, live musical entertainment starts. Maui’s songbird, Ata Damasco, will host the program as emcee and join friends in a kanikapila-style jam session.

“Moku’ula by Moonlight” will be held on the lawn next to Hale Halawai in Kamehameha Iki Beach Park at 525 Front St. in Lahaina.

Limited seating will be provided for kupuna; blankets, mats and low beach chairs are welcome. The series will continue bimonthly on the evening of fullest moon.

For more information, call the Friends of Moku’ula office at 661-3659 or e-mail friends@mokuula.com. Updates are available at Mokuula .com/events and Facebook.com/mokuula.

Friends of Moku’ula, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural organization, was established in 1995 to cultivate awareness of Hawaiian culture through restoration, preservation, education and revitalization of Moku’ula Island and Mokuhinia Pond in Lahaina.

The freshwater pond contained a one-acre sandbar island called Moku’ula, which was home to the high chiefs of Pi’ilani since the 16th century and a royal residence for the Kamehameha line in the 19th century. It was guarded by the mo’o goddess Kihawahine.

Kauikeaouli (King Kamehameha III) ruled Hawaii from Moku’ula between 1830 and 1845, when Lahaina served as the kingdom’s capital.

In the early 20th century, Mokuhinia was filled with coral rubble dredged from the Lahaina roadstead, and by 1918 the acreage was turned over to the County of Maui for use as Malu-ulu-o-lele Park.

Today, the Friends of Moku’ula is dedicated to breathing new life into this sacred Hawaiian site.