The American justice system is not known for being quick, and when the already complicated Mukai property ownership issue was extended by multiple appeals, the process became even longer, testing the patience of all involved.

But the islanders who joined together to form the Friends of Mukai never gave up.

After four years in court, and more than a decade after the Mukai House and Garden were initially purchased with the intent of preservation, Vashon’s Friends of Mukai can finally begin the much delayed restoration and preservation process. The derailment of the project was due to a technicality-laden process to replace the former board of Vashon’s nonprofit Island Landmarks with the new board that was formed in 2012, when islanders realized the nonprofit was not functional and not taking the necessary steps to care for the property. The new board filed a lawsuit to ensure they would be the rightful owners and governing board, but Island Landmarks’ creator Mary Matthews was holding tight to the home and allegedly using it as a sort of vacation home.

In February of 2013, a KOMO news team went to the home and reported that they found “boots on the floor in the front bedroom and … a television and VCR.” The KOMO story also reported wine and food were found inside the fridge.

A television remains in one of the bedrooms to this day, along with multiple mannequins in the basement.

Matthews was clearly not using the historic property for educational purposes and was not complying with the mandates to open the home to the public. While she was responsible for the initial purchase of the home and did replace the home’s roof, the work ended there and a years-long headache ensued for those trying to do the right thing.

Under the name Friends of Mukai, Matthews’ former Island Landmarks has been replaced. Matthews is no longer legally tied to the property and soon islanders will have access to what some argue is the island’s most important piece of history.

The Beachcomber congratulates the Friends of Mukai on their victory after a long and difficult fight, to save this island treasure and educate current and future islanders.