June 1, 2016

Contributed by Ed Kalama

Entities from across the state gathered at Mauna ‘Ala – The Royal Mausoleum of Hawaiʻi – on May 6, 2016, 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).

In 2004, trustees of the Charles Reed Bishop Trust (CRBT) – the same trustees who serve as trustees of Kamehameha Schools – 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.

The project was another example of aliʻi trusts working cooperatively to benefit the Hawaiian people. In fact, in 2013, six groups – the Lunalilo Trust, Queen Liliʻuokalani Trust, Kamehameha Schools, CRBT, Queen’s Health Systems and the Abigail Kawananakoa Foundation entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with DLNR to continue working together to maintain Mauna ʻAla in perpetuity.

ʻŌiwi TV was on hand at the Mālama Mauna ʻAla celebration to capture the highlights of the event. Enjoy!