Kamehameha Schools remains focused on rebuilding Lahaina, following the community’s vision and lead. While the wildfires displaced Lahaina families throughout Maui and beyond, our hope is to rebuild a community that welcomes them back home.
We offered ‘āina in Ku‘ia for consideration in response to the community’s desire for King Kamehameha III Elementary School to remain, as it has for more than a century, in Lahaina, recognizing Kauikeaouli’s connection to this place. Ultimately, the decision about whether our ‘āina will be selected as the permanent home for King Kamehameha III Elementary School rests with the community and the Hawai‘i Department of Education (HIDOE).
A school at the center of restoring Lahaina
Hālau Lahaina, malu i ka ‘ulu. We want Lahaina to return to a place of learning, peace, protection and abundance, to have this long-honored saying ring true in years to come. We envision transforming ‘Āina Pauahi in Ku‘ia into a vibrant place that supports the community’s needs, while preserving Lahaina’s enduring legacy of nurturing ‘ōiwi leaders and its rich history as a center of enlightenment for our lāhui. Pauahi’s Ku‘ia lands would provide educational opportunities to expand career pathways for haumāna, places for local businesses, spaces for the community to gather, parks for ‘ohana to enjoy, and housing for Lahaina residents.
Rebuilding King Kamehameha III in Ku‘ia could be a crucial first step in Lahaina’s restoration and healing. Situated half a mile from the original Front Street site, the proposed location would continue the school’s mo‘okū‘auhau in Lahaina. Close to facilities like the Lahaina Recreation Center and Lahaina Aquatics Center, it will help reconnect the community and return ‘ohana to the area. Having King Kamehameha III remain in Lahaina would help keep potential resources intended to restore Lahaina in Lahaina.
See the slides below for more details about what a community built around a new King Kamehameha III Elementary School in Lahaina could look like.
Download PDF of all three slides
Ma uka to ma kai restoration
We believe the best way to protect Lahaina is by restoring its famous abundance through a holistic, ahupua‘a-based approach to stewardship. We want to extend the tree line from the upland rainforests into the lower elevations to retain moisture, cool the ‘āina and create groundcover. On our mid-elevation lands, we envision the revival of Ka Malu ‘Ulu o Lele, a renowned canopy of food trees, alongside expanded agriculture and livestock to manage non-native grasses. Restoring the ma uka region will protect the ma kai area, where we hope to partner with others to restore a thriving community with keiki and future generations at the forefront of any planning considerations.
Increased community safety
The new school would also enhance safety, accessibility and convenience for the Lahaina community. Plans would include multiple new roads connecting to the Lahaina Bypass, Honoapi‘ilani Highway, Mill Street and Lahainaluna Road, providing new routes to minimize traffic and increase evacuation routes. The Ku‘ia ‘Āina Pauahi offering includes up to 16 acres to allow the school to expand, if needed, for future ‘āina-based activities or other school needs. This ample space would ensure smooth and efficient drop-off and pick-up experiences for ‘ohana, including within-school parking areas and a drive through drop-off and pick-up area.
Share your mana‘o with HIDOE
HIDOE is currently seeking a permanent site to rebuild King Kamehameha III Elementary School for Lahaina. This effort aligns with the many efforts focusing on restoring Lahaina.
The community has long advocated for a third elementary school in West Maui, in addition to Nāhi‘ena‘ena and King Kamehameha III. This third school would be constructed once additional homes are built, for example, near the Pulelehua planned development in Kā‘anapali. Restoring Lahaina and rebuilding King Kamehameha III Elementary School would not hinder future plans for a new, third school in West Maui.
If you are interested in sharing your mana‘o about the permanent replacement site for King Kamehameha III Elementary School, the DOE is collecting input through this form.
For more information on KS’ approach to stewarding ‘Āina Pauahi in Ku‘ia, please visit www.ksbe.edu/lahaina.
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