Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release March 15, 2017

COMMUNITY MAKES A DIFFERENCE AT HALEKII-PIHANA HEIAU CLEANUP DAY

WAILUKU, MAUI — A community volunteer project to clean and beautify a significant Hawaiian cultural site in central Maui was accomplished last weekend, thanks to efforts of an Eagle Scout, members of a local church and others.

A group of at least 40 people turned out on Saturday to support Eagle Scout Mosese Aholelei of Troop 32, Piilani Ward of Kihei, at the Halekii – Pihana Heiau. Working non-stop for five hours this volunteer group made a huge dent in the overgrowth of haole koa, weeds and grass, showing up with chainsaws, weed whackers, commercial chippers and trucks to haul away the green waste.

Larry Pacheco, Maui State Parks superintendent said, “We want to recognize Mosese, his family, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – Piilani Tongan Ward, and the commercial landscape companies that turned out with their own equipment and did an incredible job volunteering their time and expertise to beautify the area.”

Bishop Talaiasi Aholelei (older brother of Mosese) related that they all came to support Mosese, his Eagle Scout project, and the entire community.  “This area is very important and significant to the Hawaiian people, and they were glad that they could be a part of cleaning it up for all to see and enjoy,” added Pacheco. “It is estimated that if we had to procure these services, we would have had to pay between $20 to $30 thousand dollars. We really need to recognize this organization for the work they did, and the kokua of companies that included: Pacific ‘Ohana Masonry and Landscaping, Pua Ohana Landscaping, Wailea Trees and Landscaping, Royal Pacific Landscape, and Maui Tree Service,” he said.

Halekii-Pihana Heiau is managed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of State Parks. Department, Featuring a viewpoint of central Maui, it is the site of the remains of two important heiau (places of worship) that were rededicated as war temples by Kahekili, Maui’s last ruling chief.

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Media contact:
Deborah Ward
Communications Specialist
Dept. of Land and Natural Resources
Phone: (808) 587-0320