KEOMUKU

NAME: Keomuku ISLAND: Lanai ROADS: 2WD CLIMATE: Nice and warm all the time. BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime.

COMMENTS: On S.R. 440 14 miles southeast of Lanai City. REMAINS: A few small buildings.

Keomuku Village was the leading center of Lanai in the late 1890's, but now lies abandoned. In ancient times, farmers and fishermen inhabited portions of the fertile north coast and the valley of Maunalei. In 1898 the Maunalei Sugar Company announced plans to build a sugar plantation. This increased the population from 174 to 900. The mill was successful until upon building a railroad along the coast the company damaged or disturbed the sacred stones of a heiau (temple). The Hawaiians considered this angering the god's. The mill's drinking water turned salty and the population was devastated by illness. Maunalei Sugar shut down in 1901 and little remains today except the renovation of the original Malamalama church. Mike Woodfin

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