LAHAINA — Have you ever considered a place in Lahaina that would honor the rich cultural heritage of our beloved town while providing a learning center for Native Hawaiian studies and a community gathering hall to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike?

That place has been dreamed up and is in the process of becoming a reality: the restoration of Hawaii’s royal complex at Moku’ula on the corner of Front and Shaw streets in Lahaina.

After many years of researching, discovering, teaching, creating, planning and obtaining entitlements from a variety of governmental entities, this is the year that the Friends of Moku’ula will break ground for Phase I construction.

Plans include building the Hale Halawai, a learning center in traditional Native Hawaiian architectural style; and Hale Pohaku, a gathering hall with kitchen and restrooms in 20th century plantation style; in addition to a low-impact parking lot landscaped with native and indigenous plants and trees.

To help make this dream a reality, Old Lahaina Luau will be sponsoring a fundraiser for the Friends of Moku’ula on Saturday, June 4, on the oceanfront Old Lahaina Luau grounds from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The theme is “He Lei Hulu, He Lei Makamae” — a tribute to Akoni Akana, the founder and visionary director emeritus of Friends of Moku’ula Inc.

Although Akoni passed away this year, he left with us numerous gifts and his passionate vision for Moku’ula.

Akana touched our lives as a teacher of hula, chant and Lahaina’s history, as a composer of beautiful mele, as an advocate of Hawaiian culture and as a proponent of keeping Lahaina economically and culturally vital.

We humbly ask that you help us reach the financial goals of Friends of Moku’ula (a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation) by attending or donating to this special fundraising event.

Ticket prices are $100 per person, which includes the luau’s bountiful buffet, a premium open bar and fabulous entertainment, including the Old Lahaina Luau show. Tables of eight are available for a discounted price of $700, if you act now.

Reservations and ticket sales are offered through the Old Lahaina Luau Reservations Department at (808) 667-1998. Pre-purchased tables will have reserved seating.

Individual ticket purchases will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis that evening. All tickets will be available at will-call in the Old Lahaina Luau reception area.

We need your help to fulfill Akoni’s vision for the restoration of Moku’ula island and Mokuhinia pond that will become the crown jewel of Lahaina, bringing a renewed interest to our town and a shining example of our host Hawaiian culture for generations to come.