King's Taro Patch - Lahaina, Hawaii - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

This sign is part of the Lahaina Historic Trail.

This land that houses the public library was cultivated in taro from ancient times. Since the beginning of the 19th century, it was known as "Apuakehua," the royal taro patch of King Kamehameha. Kalo (taro) was the food staple of ancient Hawai'i, considered to possess the greatest life force of all foods. It is a perennial tuber with clusters of large delicate, heart-shaped leaves.

Kalo cultivation requires much water, and this area of Lahaina was once abundant with freshwater streams and rivulets. The Hawaiians managed this water for irrigation by creating aqueducts which ran along banks intersecting the fields. In young King Kamehameha III's time, it was said that he worked this field himself to demonstrate dignity in labor.

Some of the first foreign visitors to Lahaina vividly described their impressions of the town by its carefully tended green fields. They likened it to a lush garden, saying it was "far more beautiful than any place we have yet seen on the Islands."

Stroll behind the building to the oceanfront lawn to see where King Kamehameha I and his retinue encamped from 1802 to 1803.

Group that erected the marker: Ala Hele Mo'olelo O Lahaina Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: 680 Wharf Street Lahaina, HI USA 96761 URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed

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