Events Calendar
Bread Baking at the Portuguese Stone Oven
Every Thursday between 10:00AM-1:00PM & Every 2nd Tuesday of the month
The oven is open! KHS is now baking Cinnamon and Country(crusty loaf and plenty of garlic) bread the second Tuesday of every month, as well as the traditional Sweet, White and Whole Wheat every Thursday!
The Kona Historical Society’s Portuguese Stone Oven is a reproduction of a typical oven used by the Portuguese immigrants who came to Kona in the 1880’s. Join the process of panning the dough and baking 96 loaves every Thursday (and special Tuesdays) between 10:00am-1:00pm. The program is FREE and the bread is $7 per loaf. Bring your lunch and make a day of it with an oven-side picnic in the pasture. We hope to see you at the Portuguese Stone Oven in the pasture below KHS headquarters in Kealakekua.
Hanohano `O Kona/Honoring Kona: A Free Lecture Series for 2012
Every Last Wednesday in 2012, 5:30PM - 7:00PM at West Hawai`i Civic Center
Hanohano ‘O Kona/Honoring Kona, a free community lecture series starting in 2012, will spotlight local and state speakers on a wide variety of cultural and historical subjects. Presented by Kona Historical Society, in cooperation with the County of Hawai’i, this lecture series is a gift from the Society to the community that has supported it for so long. Free of charge, it is open to all, residents and visitors alike.
The talks will be held the last Wednesday of every month at the new West Hawai`i Civic Center on Kealakehe Parkway (going up to Kealakehe High School) from 5:30pm-7:00pm. The schedule is as follows:
January 25, 2012 - Ka`Olelo Hawai`i/The Hawaiian Language: Revitalizing the Language Through Our Children
Ke Kula `o Ehunuikaimalino and the Unuehu Hula Learning Community
February 29, 2012 - Chinese New Year: Celebration and Tradition
Ed Yap and the Kohala Tong Wo Society
March 28, 2012 - Portal to the Past: Hawaiian Kingdom Property Taxes
Dr. Tom Woods, Executive Director of the Mission Houses Museum, Honolulu
April 25, 2012 - Spearfishing and the Evolution of Freediving
Richard “Sonny” Tanabe, Olympic swimmer, local waterman, teacher, author, and coach
May 30, 2012 - Pa`u Riding: Perpetuating the Tradition in Today’s Generation
Ku`ulani Auld of the Kona Historical Society and a panel of kama`aina
June 27, 2012 - Voices from the Edge: Hawai`i’s Ancient Trails and Their Message Today
Dr. Richard Stevens, Lecturer in History at UH Center-West Hawai`i
July 25, 2012 - Surfing in Kona: Past, Present, and Future
Jerome Kanuha and Pete Hendricks, local watermen
August 29, 2012 - The Culture of the Canoe - ‘He `Inoa No Lili`uokalani’/In the Name of Lili`uokalani
Hannah Springer and local canoe club coaches
September 26, 2012 - Rebirth in the Heart of a Cemetery: West Hawai`i Veterans Cemetery and Restoration of Kona’s Forests
Dr. Richard Stevens, Coordinator of Veterans Cemetery Reforestation Project
October 31, 2012 - The Onouli Crossroads: Notable Residents of Christ Church and Central Kona Union Cemeteries
Maile Melrose, Cemetery Tour Leader and local historian
November 14, 2012 - Voices from Our Past: Diversity and Independence in Kona’s Oral Histories
Ann Kern and students, UH Center-West Hawai`i (please notice this one is on the second Wednesday of the month)
Historical Kona Coast Boat Tour aboard the Fair Wind II
Sunday, February 5, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Kealakekua Bay
This tour starts and ends at Keauhou Bay and includes Kahalu`u Bay, Kealakekua Bay, and Honaunau Bay, aboard the catamaran Fair Wind II. Kama`aina resident John Mitchell provides the fascinating historical narrative prepared by Kona historian Jean Greenwell on the Holua at Keauhou, the battle of Kuamo`o, Kealakekua Bay, the battle of Mokuohai at Ke`ei, and Pu`uhonua `o Honaunau. Sightings of whales and dolphins are often an added treat.
Reservations are $65.00 for KHS members and $75.00 for non-members; KHS members will be asked to show their membership cards to receive the discount. Check-in time is 1:45 p.m. at Keauhou Pier. There will be a no-host bar aboard. For reservations call Fair Wind at 808-322-2788. Thank you Fair Wind!
Hanohano `O Kona Lecture Series for February 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 5:30PM - 7:00PM, West Hawai`i Civic Center, Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua Kona
Chinese New Year: Celebration and Tradition
Ed Yap and the Kohala Tong Wo Society will introduce the customs and traditions of the Chinese New Year.
This is the February portion of a community lecture series for 2012 that spotlights local and state speakers on a wide variety of cultural and historical subjects. Presented by Kona Historical Society, in cooperation with the County of Hawai’i, this lecture series is a gift from the Society to the community that has supported it for so long. Free of charge, it is open to all, residents and visitors alike.
Hanohano `O Kona Lecture Series for March 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 5:30PM - 7:00PM, West Hawaii Civic Center, Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua Kona
Portal to the Past: Hawaiian Kingdom Property Taxes
Tom Woods, Phd., executive director of the Mission Houses Museum, will be presenting his presentation on what past property taxes can tell us about society. Don’t think taxes are “sexy”? Think again. The database he created, in conjunction with the Kona Historical Society, based on the Hawaiian Kingdom tax records starting in 1850, has revealed surprising information about life in Kona during the Kingdom-era: from the ethnic group that owned most of the grazing animals, to the most valuable crop, and the kinds of illnesses that laid tax payers so low, they could not pay their taxes. Fascinating information that recreates Kona as it was back then.
This is the March portion of a community lecture series for 2012 that spotlights local and state speakers on a wide variety of cultural and historical subjects. Presented by Kona Historical Society, in cooperation with the County of Hawai’i, this lecture series is a gift from the Society to the community that has supported it for so long. Free of charge, it is open to all, residents and visitors alike.
Historical Cruise of the Kona Coast aboard the Body Glove
Saturday, April 7, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Captain Cook Monument
Set sail to Captain Cook’s Monument on an historical cruise to Kealakekua Bay. This three hour cruise is guaranteed to wow you with facts, stories, legends and cultural arts from our interpreter and marine naturalist. Join the crew of the Body Glove as they depart from Kailua Bay while listening to stories on the area of Kamakahonu, Hulihe`e Palace, Keakealaniwahine, the holua slide at Keauhou, the battle of Kuamo`o and Kealakekua Bay. The sightings of whales and dolphins are often an added treat.
Check in time is 3:30 p.m. at the Kailua Pier. The tour leaves at 4:00 p.m. The cost for members is $95 (you must show your membership card) and $105 for non-members which includes a complimentary Hawaiian-style buffet and non-alcoholic beverages. A no-host bar will be available. Call 1-800-551-8911 for reservations. Proceeds benefit the Kona Historical Society. Thank you Body Glove!
Hanohano `O Kona Lecture Series for April 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 5:30PM - 7:00PM, West Hawaii Civic Center, Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua Kona
Spearfishing and the Evolution of Freediving
Sonny Tanabe is known for many things: U.S. Olympic swimmer; high school water polo and swimming coach; American Red Cross Water Safety and SCUBA instructor, just to name a few. This presentation is more about one of his other loves: spearfishing. Sonny has recently authored his second book, “Evolution of Freediving and the History of Spearfishing in Hawai`i” after finishing his beautiful pictorial “Spearfishing on the Island of Hawai`i” in 2008. If you’re a waterman (or woman!) or just someone interested in Kona’s history as seen through the eyes of a waterman you do not want to miss this presentation!
This is the April portion of a community lecture series for 2012 that spotlights local and state speakers on a wide variety of cultural and historical subjects. Presented by Kona Historical Society, in cooperation with the County of Hawai’i, this lecture series is a gift from the Society to the community that has supported it for so long. Free of charge, it is open to all, residents and visitors alike.
Hanohano `O Kona Lecture Series for May 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 5:30PM - 7:00PM, West Hawaii Civic Center, Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua Kona
Pa`u Riding: Perpetuating the Tradition in Today’s Generation
Have you ever wondered what went on behind the scenes at a King Kamehameha Day Parade? How do the pa`u participants (horse riders) choose their colors and flora for their leis? What is the deeper meaning behind all the pagentry? How does pa`u riding differ now from the past? All these questions and more will be answered by a panel discussion mediated by Ku`ulani Auld, assistant executive director of the Kona Historical Society and Hannah Springer, “a kama‘aina of the ahupua‘a of Kaupulehu and a daughter of Huehue Ranch”. If you’ve ever been in a parade or plan to be in a pa`u unit in a parade or just want to hear more about this interesting topic be sure to be there!
This is the May portion of a community lecture series for 2012 that spotlights local and state speakers on a wide variety of cultural and historical subjects. Presented by Kona Historical Society, in cooperation with the County of Hawai’i, this lecture series is a gift from the Society to the community that has supported it for so long. Free of charge, it is open to all, residents and visitors alike.
Hanohano `O Kona Lecture Series for June 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 5:30PM - 7:00PM, West Hawaii Civic Center, Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua Kona
King’s Trail, Pohue Bay
Voices From the Edge: Hawai`i’s Ancient Trails and Their Message Today
What can we learn from the ancient Hawaiian trails? How do they connect us to earlier times and what are the thoughts going on today about access issues? Dr. Richard Stevens will touch upon this and more in this month’s presentation. Richard is one of the premier experts today on Hawaiian trails and has worked extensively as a “trail hunter” and researcher for the State Division of Forestry & Wildlife and the Research Corporation of the University of Hawai`i. He currently teaches classes at UH-West Hawaii when he’s not writing books and articles on trails and organic gardening.
This is the June portion of a community lecture series for 2012 that spotlights local and state speakers on a wide variety of cultural and historical subjects. Presented by Kona Historical Society, in cooperation with the County of Hawai’i, this lecture series is a gift from the Society to the community that has supported it for so long. Free of charge, it is open to all, residents and visitors alike.
Hanohano `O Kona Lecture Series for July 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 5:30PM - 7:00PM, West Hawaii Civic Center, Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua Kona
photo courtesy Bishop Museum
Surfing in Kona: Past, Present and Future
The first written account of surfing was made by James King (first lieutenant for Captain Cook and commander of the Discovery after Cook’s death) in 1779 and chronicled the locals at Kealakekua Bay riding the waves on their wooden boards. Knowing that surfing was first documented here in Kona, it is fitting to have Kona watermen, Jerome Kanuha and Pete Hendricks, discuss the development of surfboards and techniques over time; present day surfing including kiteboarding, tow in and standup paddleboarding; and what the future may hold.
This is the July portion of a community lecture series for 2012 that spotlights local and state speakers on a wide variety of cultural and historical subjects. Presented by Kona Historical Society, in cooperation with the County of Hawai’i, this lecture series is a gift from the Society to the community that has supported it for so long. Free of charge, it is open to all, residents and visitors alike.
Hanohano `O Kona Lecture Series for August 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 5:30PM - 7:00PM, West Hawaii Civic Center, Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua Kona
The Culture of the Canoe ~ `He `Inoa No Lili`uokalani/In the Name of Lili`uokalani
Hannah Springer, kama‘aina of the ahupua‘a of Kaupulehu and daughter of Hu`e Hu`e Ranch, will lead this talk, along with local canoe club coaches, about the largest, long distance canoe race in the world. If you’re a paddler or would like to hear about the history of the Queen Lili`uokalani Canoe Race through the eyes of people who have paddled it then you don’t want to miss this lecture.
This is the August portion of a community lecture series for 2012 that spotlights local and state speakers on a wide variety of cultural and historical subjects. Presented by Kona Historical Society, in cooperation with the County of Hawai’i, this lecture series is a gift from the Society to the community that has supported it for so long. Free of charge, it is open to all, residents and visitors alike.
Hanohano `O Kona Lecture Series for September 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 5:30PM - 7:00PM, West Hawai`i Civic Center, Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua Kona
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Rebirth in the Heart of a Cemetery: West Hawai`i Veterans Cemetery and Restoration of Kona’s Forests
Dr. Richard Stevens joins us to talk about restoring a part of the disappearing native habitats of Dryland Forests in Hawaii, specifically at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. Since there is only about 10 percent of native dry land forest remaining in Hawaii’s ecosystems, these forests have become an extremely endangered habitat that is on the brink of extinction. With most humans residing on the coastal parts of each island, where most dry land forests are seen to grow, these forests are one of the most threatened habitats in Hawai’i. Dr. Stevens will feature his slideshow on the “how to” of a reforestation project, often using endangered plants, and discuss the challenges and successes. Dr. Stevens is a UH-West Hawai`i lecturer who has written several books on nature and organic gardening in Hawai`i.
This is the September portion of a community lecture series for 2012 that spotlights local and state speakers on a wide variety of cultural and historical subjects. Presented by Kona Historical Society, in cooperation with the County of Hawai’i, this lecture series is a gift from the Society to the community that has supported it for so long. Free of charge, it is open to all, residents and visitors alike.
Historical Cruise of the Kona Coast Aboard the Fair Wind II
Sunday, October 14, 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Kealakekua Bay
This tour starts and ends at Keauhou Bay and includes Kahalu`u Bay, Kealakekua Bay, and Honaunau Bay, aboard the catamaran Fair Wind II. Kama`aina resident John Mitchell provides the fascinating historical narrative prepared by Kona historian Jean Greenwell on the Holua at Keauhou, the battle of Kuamo`o, Kealakekua Bay, the battle of Mokuohai at Ke`ei, and Pu`uhonua `o Honaunau. Sightings of whales and dolphins are often an added treat.
Reservations are $65.00 for KHS members and $75.00 for non-members; KHS members will be asked to show their membership cards to receive the discount. Check-in time is 1:45 p.m. at Keauhou Pier. There will be a no-host bar aboard. For reservations call Fair Wind at 808-322-2788. Thank you Fair Wind!
Hanohano `O Kona Lecture Series for October 2012
Wednesday, October 31, 5:30PM-7:00PM, West Hawai`i Civic Center, Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua Kona
At the Onouli Crossroads: Notable Residents of Christ Church and Central Kona Union Cemeteries
Maile Melrose is a lifelong resident and well-known historian of Kona. Always interested in Hawaiian history, she has been associated with Kona Historical Society for the past 20 years and has been leading KHS’ “world renowned” cemetery tours for several years. She is known to captivate her audience with tales of murder, arson and betrayal, as well as loyalty and love, which took place in the previously sleepy districts of Kona.
This is the October portion of a community lecture series for 2012 that spotlights local and state speakers on a wide variety of cultural and historical subjects. Presented by Kona Historical Society, in cooperation with the County of Hawai’i, this lecture series is a gift from the Society to the community that has supported it for so long. Free of charge, it is open to all, residents and visitors alike.
Hanohano `O Kona Lecture Series for November 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 5:30PM - 7:00PM, West Hawai`i Civic Center, Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua Kona
Voices From Our Past: Diversity and Independence in Kona’s Oral Histories
Students from Ann Kern’s speech communication classes at the University of Hawai`i Center - West Hawai`i will interpret oral histories from Kona Historical Society’s Jean Greenwell Archives. Coming alive will be a wide range of individuals interviewed over the years: cattle and sheep ranchers, coffee farmers, merchants and storekeepers, politicians, professionals, teachers and more - all of them endowed with the indomitable, independent spirit that enabled them to survive in Kona’s early days. Ann Kern is an H.N. Greenwell Store Museum and Kailua Village Walking Tour interpreter for the Kona Historical Society. In addition to teaching speech classes, she was formerly involved as a stage manager and artistic director in several well-known theaters in California.
This is the November portion of a community lecture series for 2012 that spotlights local and state speakers on a wide variety of cultural and historical subjects. Presented by Kona Historical Society, in cooperation with the County of Hawai’i, this lecture series is a gift from the Society to the community that has supported it for so long. Free of charge, it is open to all, residents and visitors alike.
Historical Sunset Dinner Cruise aboard the Body Glove
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 4:00PM - 7:00PM
Step aboard and journey back in time, when ancient, powerful Kings ruled the rugged and fertile land of the Hawaiian Islands. The Body Glove’s luxurious, three hour guided historical dinner cruise to Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook’s monument will capture your imagination and reveal many secrets of the Big Island.
Unwind along the way with a complimentary cocktail from the fully stocked, premium bar as your tour guide shares Hawaiian history, stories and legends relating to numerous landmarks along 12 miles of magnificent Kona coastline. You’ll visit famous points of interest including the Ahu’ena Heiau, the Holua Slide and the famous Kuamo’o Battlefield. Once you arrive at the bay, a full course Hawaiian style dinner will be served, followed by Kona coffee, assorted teas and dessert. Enjoy a beautiful sunset and live Hawaiian entertainment as you head back to Kailua. There’s a 95% chance you’ll see Spinner Dolphins during your cruise, and even Humpback Whales if you go during the winter. The Historical Sunset Dinner Cruises are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. To make a reservation visit the Body Glove’s website or call 1-800-551-8911.
A portion of all proceeds from the Historical Cruise are donated to the Kona Historical Society for the preservation, restoration and education of the culture and history of the Kona Coast. Mahalo Body Glove!
