Jill Tokuda: “Before there was a Front Street or a banyon tree, Lahaina was known as Lele. It was the home and final resting place of…”

“Before there was a Front Street or a banyon tree, Lahaina was known as Lele. It was the home and final resting place of countless ``ali'i,'' ``chiefs,'' serving as the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii and including ``storied and sacred landscapes,'' ``wahi pana,'' like Loko Mokuhinia and Moku'ula. Lele was often referred to as the ``Venice of the Pacific,'' with fishponds, productive wetlands, and freshwater canals. Over the decades, the diversion of water removed almost all traces of this once- fertile area. As we set out to rebuild, we must do so grounded in Lahaina's history and culture. Last week, I introduced the Lahaina Heritage Area Act to assess the future designation of the historic Maui town as a national heritage area. National heritage area designations support community-driven conservation and restoration efforts through recognition, Federal funding, and technical assistance. Of the 62 heritage areas across the United States, none are in Hawaii. With support from colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I can think of no better way to lift up our community's desire to rebuild ``righteous,'' ``pono'' than by making Lahaina Hawaii's first national heritage area. Mahalo. ____________________”