Highlights:
Twice a year, a group of boarders can be seen carrying sacks on their backs, heading toward the “L.” Hiking up, they go through a trail that is considered private property. As soon as the boarders reach the top, they scoop lime—a white, powdered substance—out of the sacks they carried on their backs. They scatter this by hand, wearing face masks to avoid breathing in the lime dust.
The “L” is a large letter that sits on top of a hill called Puʻu Paʻupaʻu (Hill of Struggle). Since 1929, the Lahainaluna Boarding Department has taken responsibility for the sacred tradition of “liming the L.” To maintain it, the boarders (students who dorm at Lahainaluna High School) climb up the mountain with sacks of limestone on their backs, outlining the white powder around the “L” frame and making it visible to the community below.
Holly Chandler, the vice principal of the LHS Boarding Department, notes, “It is a point of history that is deeply rooted in the history of Lahainaluna High School and the community of Lahaina as a whole. It is an iconic piece that is in photos, paintings, and often a mystery for people not associated with our school.”
The “liming of the L” tradition is connected to the “lighting of the L,” but they serve different purposes. The tradition of lighting the “L” occurs during graduation and is performed by an LHS alumni class to celebrate the new graduating seniors. Conversely, liming the “L” occurs twice a year—once in September and another time in May—to refresh the white powder, celebrate sports championship wins, and make it look neater for graduation.
“...It showcases our school’s athletic success”
The “L” isn’t just there to look nice, but also to incorporate LHS’s accomplishments during each school year.
“It is proof that BIG things can be accomplished with teamwork, planning, and a sense of community,” says Chandler. “It represents each graduating class year, with the class year on the bottom right corner. Bars or stars for any district or state wins are on the top left for our sports teams at LHS.”
According to four-year alumni boarder Kevan Dudoit, the tradition “showcases our school’s athletic success as earned leagues and state championships” through the white bars on the “L.” Freshman boarding student Paige Nakihei explains, “The bars represent the MIL (Maui Interscholastic League) titles we bring home, whether it’s five bars or three.”
Lahainaluna's renowned school spirit in the past is where these bars stem from. According to PE teacher Cliffane Casco, the marks were inspired by classic “letterman jackets,” where athletes receive a jacket and specific pins depending on what sport they played. When a sports team won something, bars would be incorporated on the “L,” "similar to the letterman jackets student athletes used to wear to show their sports accomplishments."
“...It’s paying your respect to those who have passed”
Beyond the physical labor and the displayed sports accomplishments, this hike up the hill with heavy lime bags is a way to honor the generations of students who have walked the same path before them.
Dudoit recalls, “We wake up early, hike up the 'L' with lime bags on our backs, and pay respect to those that have come before us.” Junior Chaziah Sniffen, a current boarder, shares the same sentiment. She has learned that “the value of liming the ‘L’ is to follow tradition and to accomplish what we started.”
This connection to the past gives boarders the chance to give back to the community and understand the legacy they inherit upon coming to LHS.
Mary Emmons, an assistant teacher and sophomore council advisor, explains how the tradition brings together history and culture. “Liming the L isn’t just putting the white lime down. It’s paying your respect to those who have passed, celebrating another year at Lahainaluna, and the current graduates. To me, it holds so much value. It’s a privilege to be able to be a part of something so special.”
A Priceless Tradition
Ultimately, the tradition of liming the “L” represents a strong bond between the school and Lahaina.
Freshman Hilinaʻi Sodetani says, “The value of the liming is priceless for all of us who are part of the town of Lahaina. It is a way to show our appreciation for the school and the town community.”
Chandler agrees, saying the experience makes an impact on everyone who completes it. “Its value is priceless in my opinion and lives differently in the hearts of everyone who has ever participated and was able to make the trek up. The view from the top is the most breathtaking on the entire island, in my opinion.”
There is great dedication to preserving this tradition, which will not break easily in the face of obstacles. Emmons notes, “Historically, it means so much to the community and to the Boarding department. I don’t think there has ever been a year where boarding has not done it. Even with the storms we faced this year, the boarders, their families, and previous boarders still hiked up and made sure that it was lined and looking great.”
The “L” is meaningful far beyond being a landmark. Vice Principal Nicole Heinlein holds deep gratitude toward the boarders, saying, "Thanks to their hard work, it shines brightly once again as a symbol of the resiliency of all of West Maui.”
