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Foundation takes kupuna on tour of Lahaina’s historic sites

By Staff | Jun 9, 2011

Seniors on Lahaina Restoration Foundation’s “History With Our Kupuna” tour visit the Plantation Museum at The Wharf Cinema Center.

LAHAINA — Lahaina Restoration Foundation shares Lahaina’s rich history with Maui senior citizens through its new program, “History With Our Kupuna.”

On April 25 and May 27, more than 30 people with Kaunoa Senior Services attended the foundation’s first customized free history tour for seniors.

Coordinated by LRF’s Community Education Committee, the new program is one of three history tours offered to the community.

The foundation also gives new teachers (“History In Our Back Yard”) and Lahaina merchants (“History In Our Front Yard”) orientations exploring the rich history of the community in which they work and live.

“This is the first time we are reaching out to the elderly after receiving continued interest for a historic tour for senior citizens,” stated Lahaina Restoration Foundation Board Member and Committee Chair Andy Kutsunai.

The seniors traveled through 16 of Lahaina’s historic sites and museums led by both Kutsunai and LRF Docent Suzanne Bryer-Ayers.

Stops included the Baldwin Home Museum, King’s Taro Patch, Spring House, Plantation Museum, old Pioneer Mill site, Malu-ulu-o-lele Park, and Kamehameha

Iki Park, where the Friends of Moku’ula and Hui O Wa’a Kaulua shared their knowledge and discussed current projects of restoration.

Attendees expressed their appreciation of the history shared. Many who have lived here their whole lives learned new details about the sites, and they were anxious to share the information with their family and friends.

The foundation’s Community Education Committee thanked everyone who attended, as well as partners and organizations for their assistance in making the tour possible.

Transportation, refreshments and lunch were provided by Kaunoa Senior Services. Additional contributions were made by The Wharf Cinema Center, Kaanapali Land Management Corp., Jodo Mission, Hui O Wa’a Kaulua and Friends of Moku’ula.

For more information, contact the Lahaina Restoration Foundation office at 661-3262 or e-mail info@lahainarestoration.org.