Mokuʻula!

What Is Mokuʻula?

This island on an island was the ancient sanctuary of the lizard goddess, Kihawahine, a house for the kings of Māui, and the royal headquarters of Kamehameha III!

What Makes It Historical?

We don’t know exactly when in the 1500s Kihawahine Mokuhinia Kalama‘ula Kalā‘aiheana lived, but we do know she was the daughter of an ali‘i named Pi‘ilani and rose to such a rank that she was buried in the waters of the royal fish pond of Mokuhinia! Here, says legend, she transformed into a mo‘o, a powerful lizard goddess who would protect this pond, making its center island ideal for setting up the royal residence of Moku‘ula!

Kamehameha I credited Kihawahine with his victory in battle on Māui, because of his local wife, Keōpūolani. His son, Kamehameha II, relocated the royal capital to Māui in 1820, and his successor, Kamehameha III, made Moku‘ula his royal residence once his sister, Princess Nāhi‘ena‘ena was buried there. The royal family lived in grass huts on the islet, while also building a larger, western style, coral palace (Hale Piula) outside this sacred area. Moku‘ula would remain the seat of the Hawaiian monarchy until 1845 when it moved to Honolulu!

How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?

Become a member of the Hawaiian Historical Society!
Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!