Located in the grassy area near the bottom and center of this aerial photo, the Moku‘ula/ Mokuhinia Complex is recognized by the State and National Register of Historic Places.  

LAHAINA – The Friends of Moku’ula (FOM) is a cultural organization whose mission is to cultivate awareness of Hawaiian culture through the restoration, preservation, education and revitalization of Moku’ula and Mokuhinia ponds in Lahaina.

The Moku’ula/Mokuhinia Complex, recognized by the State and National Register of Historic Places, is a place of great significance to the Native Hawaiian people.

On Sept. 29, 2012, volunteers will help restore the beauty and vitality of Moku’ula as part of the 19th annual National Public Lands Day. More than 100 volunteers are expected to participate. The Friends of Moku’ula will remove invasive species, spread mulch, plant native species and clean up debris to assist in this national effort.

This is also the kickoff for the Malama Moku’ula project, which aims to fuse traditional Hawaiian ecological practices with contemporary management solutions.

A goal is to restore previously existing plant resources while providing a source of food, medicine and other ecological services that are important to the Hawaiian community. This stewardship project will be implemented by Lahainaluna High School students.

The county Department of Parks and Recreation, Community Work Day Program, Red Tail Acquisitions, Boeing Corporation, Walmart, Lowe’s, Aloha Waste and EKO Compost are participating in the National Public Lands Day project.

For information, call Jenny Worth at 661-3659 or visit www.publiclandsday.org/npld-sites/moku?ula-and-loko-o-mokuhinia or www.mokuula.com.