Educational Resources
Publications
A Guide to Old Kona - 72 pages of information about historical sites from Kiholo to Miloli`i. Includes old photographs, a comparative Hawaiian and World timeline, glossary, map, and bibliography. The best resource for an overview of Kona history. $12.95
Historic Kailua Village Map - a 24-page booklet that provides details on one of the most historic areas in the state, with over 40 photographs. $4.95
Kona in History: A Guide to Resources - a complete listing of research materials pertaining to Kona history. $15.00
Kona Heritage Stores - a fold-out brochure identifying the sites of the old stores of Kona, beginning in 1875. $2.00
Guide to the Kona Districts – a fold-out map with photographs providing details on ancient and historic sites, tours, and programs. $2.00
Traditional Cattle Walls of Kona - an 8 page booklet on the history and construction of Kona’s dry stack stone walls. $2.00.
Historical Plays and Performances
Mrs. Kunitake - a one-woman performance with Akiko Masudo as Kiyono Kunitake, who tells about her life in the coffee land during the first half of the 20th century.
Mrs. Greenwell of Kalukalu - Maile Melrose portrays her great-grandmother, Elizabeth Caroline Greenwell, who came to Kona in 1868 as the wife of Henry Nicholas Greenwell, and made her mark as mother, storekeeper, and supporter of tiny Christ Church, the first Episcopal Church in the islands.
Isabella Bird - a one-woman performance with Jackie Pualani Johnson as Miss Isabella Bird, English adventurer and travel writer, who visited Kona in 1873.
Living History Programs and Historical Tour
Kona Coffee Living History Farm - a 5.5-acre working coffee farm depicting the era from 1925-1945. Japanese style farmhouse, hoshidana and kuriba, macadamia nut trees, fruit trees, gardens, and “Kona nightingales.”
H.N. Greenwell Store Museum - built ca. 1870, this stone structure was the first general store in the mauka area. A costumed interpreter greets visitors in the store and shows them the varied array of merchandise from all over the world that was available at the Greenwell Store in the 1890’s.
Portuguese Stone Oven Baking - each Thursday in the lower pasture at Kalukalu, the stone oven is fired up for bread baking. See how the Portuguese dairy and ranching families supplemented their income by baking Portuguese sweet bread for their neighbors.
Historic Kailua Village Walking Tour - a 75-minute tour through charming Kailua Village, one of the most historic areas in the state.
Historical Jeep Tours - guided tours to remote areas on private land, with guest lecturers who interpret the history of sites along the way. Rates vary.
Exhibits
Martial Arts Exhibit - this exhibit of the traditional martial arts of Kona is available for display on request.
Ranching in Kona - 3 interpretive panels, available for display on request.
Please contact the Society for more information.
Internships
High school and college students may earn credit hours through volunteer work at the Kona Historical Society.
Please contact the Society for more information.