May 9, 2016

Contributed by Ed Kalama

Entities from across the state gathered at Mauna ‘Ala – The Royal Mausoleum of Hawaiʻi – on May 6 to celebrate completion of a nine-year project that brought major renovations and repairs to the final resting place for members of the Kamehameha and Kalākaua dynasties.

The 3.5 acre site in Nuʻuanu, established by Kamehameha IV in 1864 to house the remains of the direct descendants of Kamehameha I and their close family members and advisors, is administered by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

“The cultural and historic significance of this sacred site cannot be overstated, and I thank all those who have had a hand in renovating and repairing the buildings and the grounds at The Royal Mausoleum, Mauna ‘Ala,” said Gov. David Ige.

“Today’s celebration marks the completion of major improvements, and with a Memorandum of Understanding in place, maintenance will be carried out on a sustained basis so future generations will continue to be able to gather to remember and celebrate the ali‘i resting here.”

In 2004, trustees of the Charles Reed Bishop Trust (CRBT) commissioned a report by the DLR Group to study the condition of Mauna ʻAla and make recommendations on addressing needed repairs and renovations at the site. 

That report led to the Mālama Mauna ʻAla fundraising project, a public/private cooperative effort which saw more than $2 million in donations raised coming from aliʻi trusts, private organizations, state and federal sources as well as private individual contributors.

Work on site improvements began in 2006 and was finally completed in 2015 with the state repaving and re-curbing the facility’s oval driveway.

Six other major projects were completed as well, including an addition to the curator’s house; construction of a new bathroom and storage area; repairs to the chapel, tombs, and crypts; repair and stabilization of the stonewall on the ground’s ma kai boundary; painting and re-gilding of the ornamental ironwork fence and gates; and various landscape improvements.

“The study of 2004 and the subsequent work to bring Mauna ʻAla out of disrepair was important in setting a new foundation from which we can work to keep this special place in good order,” said KS and CRBT Trustee Lance Wilhelm. “But I believe the most important outcome of this work has been the establishment of a Mālama Mauna ʻAla hui of aliʻi founded institutions.

“Coming together in this way, learning to work and trust each other, will form the basis for future collaborations that will enhance and improve the work of each of our institutions. More importantly, I believe this project can and will be a model for future initiatives to serve our Lāhui together in ways that we have not yet dared to imagine.”

In fact, in 2013 the Lunalilo Trust, Queen Liliʻuokalani Trust, Queen’s Health Systems, Kamehameha Schools, CRBT and the Abigail K. K. Kawānanakoa Foundation entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with DLNR for the purpose of establishing an instrument through which these parties can assist in the financing and execution of projects needed to maintain, renovate, and repair the tombs, gravesites, chapel, buildings, and landscaping at Mauna ʻAla.

The MOU set out respective responsibilities of the various parties in this effort and the general process by which projects will be undertaken and reviewed on an ongoing basis.

At the celebration, members of the aliʻi hui joined with state officials to partake in a ceremonial meal and processional offering hoʻokupu, or ceremonial gifts, to their respective aliʻi. Representatives of the hui were also presented kīhei, or traditional wraps, that were designed by the late William Maioho, the former kahu of Mauna ʻAla, as well as ʻumeke (bowls) which were all carved from a single milo tree from Mauna ʻAla by master carver Mcd Philpotts.

At a Ka ʻUmeke Hoʻohiki, or commitment ceremony, held in the chapel following the ceremonial meal, the ʻumeke were blessed by Kamehameha Schools Kahu Kordell Kekoa as they serve as a metaphor for the agreement and commitment between the state, the aliʻi trusts, the Kawananakoa Foundation and CRBT to continue to mālama Mauna ʻAla.

“Mauna 'Ala is more than the resting place for our our ali'i. It is more than a repository of historical significance. Mauna ʻAla lives. It is as real and relevant for us as it was to our ali'i who chose this, of all places in our pae 'aina, for the eternal resting place of Hawaii's great leaders,” Wilhelm added.

“It is one of the few places left to our people where we can draw a straight line from our past to our present and connect where we are today to where we came from. Mauna ʻAla’s stewardship is essential for our people. It is now and must remain a place that we maintain in a way befitting the greatness of those who rest here.”

Photos by KS photographer Michael Young. See more snapshots of the celebration in the KS photo gallery and be on the lookout for more coverage of the event in the I Mua Newsroom.

The cultural and historic significance of this sacred site cannot be overstated… Today’s celebration marks the completion of major improvements, and with a Memorandum of Understanding in place, maintenance will be carried out on a sustained basis so future generations will continue to be able to gather to remember and celebrate the ali‘i resting here.
Gov. David Ige.

Leaders gather after pledging their commitment to Mauna ‘Ala in the site’s chapel. They are (l-r): Mauna ‘Ala kahu Kai Maioho, KS VP of Communications Kevin Cockett, KS/Charles Reed Bishop Trust trustee Lance Wilhelm, Gov. David Ige, Queen’s Health Systems trustee Keaweʻaimoku Kaholokula, DLNR chair Suzanne Case, Queen Liliʻuokalani Trust trustees Clair Asam and Tommy Kaulukukui, Queen’s Health Systems CEO Art Ushijima, Lunalilo Trust trustee Harvey McInerny, the Kawananakoa Foundation attorney Ainoa Naniole, Lunalilo Trust Executive Director Kuhio Asam, and KS Kapālama kahu Kordell Kekoa.

KS and Charles Reed Bishop Trust Trustee Lance Wilhelm partakes in an ʻawa ceremony to symbolize the collaboration of aliʻi trusts and the state in caring for the site.

KS Strategic Analyst Elena Farden offers a hoʻokupu at the Kamehameha crypt, which is the final resting place for Ke Aliʻi Pauahi Bernice Pauahi Bishop and her husband Charles Reed Bishop.

The nine-year Mauna ʻAla renovation project included the restoration of a gilded crest on the entry gate to the site. Here is the crest before repair.

Here is the crest after repair.