Lahaina Restoration Foundation Education Committee Chairman Andy Kutsunai (right) explains how the sugar mill equipment was used during the plantation era. Photo by Louisa Shelton/Lahaina Restoration Foundation.

LAHAINA — Recently, a second group of educators from the West Side were seen walking the streets of Lahaina escorted by members of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation Education Committee.

This is the fifth consecutive year teachers have participated in the “History in Our Backyard” orientation program developed by the foundation.

This program targets new teachers of both public and private West Side schools. Sharing Lahaina’s rich culture is the main emphasis of the experience. 

The tour, mostly on foot, visits over 31 sites. The project was developed to give teachers a sense of the history of the community in which they work, and help them become aware of the important role Lahaina has played in the history of Hawaii.

The foundation will host a shorter version for Front Street merchants in November. For information on the tour or other Lahaina Restoration Foundation programs, contact Program Director ShaRon Fredy at sharon@lahainarestoration.org or 661-3262.