The early missionaries who arrived in Lahaina in 1823 explained to the Hawaiian Royalty the importance of an educational institution in the American style.

It was the first formal European-American style school founded in Hawaii and has continued to operate to this day.

[2] On September 5, 1831, classes began in thatched huts with 25 Hawaiian young men as students, including former royal historian David Malo.

[citation needed] In return, they do various jobs around the campus, such as maintaining the landscape, tending to the farm animals,[5] and making student meals at the cafeteria; they work 18 hours per week.

After the students have completed restoring the "L", they lay fresh leis at David Malo's gravesite, chant, sing and pray.

[citation needed] Members and coaches of the Lahainaluna High School football team partook in the pre-game coin toss ceremony during Super Bowl LVIII after the 2023 Hawaii wildfires left much of Lahaina destroyed.

A student was expelled in 1844 for counterfeiting, which resulted in the government re-issuing all the paper money with secret marks.

The grounds are covered with many benches, pathways, grass, plants and trees, the latter providing shade.

Lahainaluna is high enough on this volcano to allow views of the Pacific and of the islands of Moloka'i, Lana'i and Kaho'olawe.