Events Calendar

“Save Kona’s History” Online Auction

Preview now as items are added! Bidding runs July 19 - August 9

Don’t miss this opportunity to bid on some amazing items!  The Kona Historical Society is hosting an online auction that will benefit it’s educational programs and you are invited to become a part of it. 

Have something to donate or want to become a sponsor?  Want to preview the exciting items and bid on them when the time comes?  Go to www.konahistorical.cmarket.com to do all of this and more.  Check back often as we will be adding items to preview as the auction date gets closer.  Register on the auction homepage, www.konahistorical.cmarket.com, to get auction email updates.

Some of the featured items coming to the auction:

and much more!
This is your chance to own a piece of Kona’s history and also be a part of saving history for the next generation.

Jeep Trip to Kaukahoku

Saturday, July 31 8:30AM - 2:30PM

Allen Wall

Join us on our next jeep trip to Kona mauka as the guests of Allen Wall, vice president of KHS and lifelong Kona rancher. We will travel to the Wall Ranch mauka house, Kaukahoku, at Lehu’ula and along the way stop by to learn the history of Kamehameha’s great cattle pen, Pa Nui. At the house, Allen Wall and Hannah Springer will begin with a talk story about the placenames and background of that area.  A “cowboy lunch” of stew and rice will follow, ending in musical entertainment before heading back down the mountain.
Cost of the trip is $65, which includes lunch and beverages.  As with all of our jeep trips, you must be a current KHS member to attend; click here if you would like to join or renew. To join this trip you must reserve a spot and send in your waiver, along with payment, no later than Monday, July 26th.  After this date the cost will be $75. You may reserve a spot online by clicking here or you can call KHS at 808-323-3222.
 
Check in is at 8:30AM at the Nobriga’s pasture off Mamalahoa Hwy. between Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu and Teshima’s Restaurant in Honalo (look for the KHS signs) and the trip will end at about 2:30PM.  A 4WD vehicle is required.  For members wishing to go but do not have 4WD, participation is based on space availability.  Bring good walking shoes, warm/rain gear and an interest in Kona’s history!  This will be a unique experience so we hope to see everyone there!

2010 Friends of the Archives Mahalo

Saturday September 11, 7AM - 4PM

As a mahalo to the first 17 KHS members to donate $150 or more to the Friends of the Archives 2010, KHS will provide a viewing of the Jean Greenwell Archives and an unforgettable journey to Ahu a Umi.  As guests of Kamehameha Schools, the 2010 Friends of the Archives supporters will take a free journey to this mysterious historic site, located in a very isolated and seldom visited area on the saddle between Hualalai and Mauna Loa, built in the 16th century by High Chief `Umi.

First, on Friday, September 3, participants will be invited to a private viewing of the Jean Greenwell Archives and orientation for the Ahu a Umi trip.  Next, participants will meet at 7:00 AM on September 11 at the Donkey Mill Art Center on Mamalahoa Highway, located 3 miles south of Holualoa Village. We will leave promptly at 7:30 AM, travel on the Donkey Mill Road and pass through native `ohi`a forest and rugged a`a lava flows. At the site of Ahu a Umi, we will have the opportunity to explore the area and learn about its history through Maile Melrose and Daniel Iini Kihe-McDonald.  We will also visit and learn about an interesting segment of the Judd Trail built by convicts in the latter part of the 1800s.  We will return to the highway around 4:00 PM.

4WD is required.  As many of you already know, carpooling has become a requirement on some excursions due to vehicle limitations by landowners.  This trip is no exception.  Please be advised you will be asked to share your vehicle or ride with someone else.  For those without 4WD vehicles, participation is based upon space availibilty.  Please bring hiking shoes, warm/rain clothes, drinking water and lunch.  This is a special donation opportunity, limited to the first 17 people.  In order to participate you must call in your donation so that we can also acquire all your information for the excursion.  Please call us at 808-323-3222.

Historical Kona Coast Boat Tour aboard the Fair Wind II

Sunday, October 17, 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 $50.00 for KHS members and $60.00 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.

Christ Church Graveyard Tours

Fridays, October 15, 22, 29, 6:00PM

Return to the 19th century on a lantern-lit tour to visit several historical graves, hear their owners’ stories, and enjoy a cozy hot beverage at the Christ Church Cemetery, the oldest Anglican church in the state of Hawai`i. Reservations are $15 and check-in is 6:00 p.m. at Christ Church in Kealakekua on Konawaena School Rd. These tours are limited to 15 people, so reservations must be made early by calling the KHS office at 808-323-3222.

A Performance of “Two Roses and a Thorn”

Saturday, November 13, 7:00PM

Mark Twain

The Society is pleased to have Aloha Performing Arts Company artistic director Jerry Tracy reprise his one man performance in order to share the humor and insight of Mark Twain, as Twain recalls his visit to Hawaii and specifically the Big Island in 1866. Interlaced with comments on current events, local and nationwide and the “goings on” in the Kona district during his visit, Mr. Tracy has cleverly woven Twain’s stories of visiting with royalty in Honolulu, swimming at Kealakekua Bay, planting the Mark Twain Monkey pod Tree at Waiohinu, sailing from port to port on inter-island transport ships along the coast, through the district and around the island on horseback, culminating in a visit to the “Great Volcano of Kilauea.”

Also on the playbill for the evening, an original play, Tea for Two at Kalukalu, developed and produced by the Kona Historical Society, written by Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl and Kona historian Maile Melrose.  The setting is mauka Kona 1890 when Miss Ella Paris, the unmarried daughter of the American missionary Reverend J.D. Paris, pays an afternoon visit to Mrs. Elizabeth Greenwell, wife of the Englishman and entrepreneur H.N. Greenwell, who is, as usual, minding their store at Kalukalu.  The women interlace 19th century humor, news and gossip of the day (“Did you hear about that fellow Mark Twain?”) as they sip tea and eat Kona oranges.  Co-starring in this delightful glimpse into old Kona are UH Hilo Theater Department’s Artistic Director, Jackie Pualani Johnson as Miss Ella Paris, and veteran Kona actor and Greenwell family descendent Maile Melrose in the role of her great grandmother Mrs. E.C. Greenwell.

Adults $15 and Senior and children under ten $10.  Call KHS at 808-323-3222 for tickets or buy them at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu the evening of the performance.

Annual Membership Meeting

Thursday, November 18, 5:00PM - 7:00PM

A short membership meeting begins at 5:00 p.m. with recognition of the many generous people who have volunteered during the year.  There will also be opportunities to do a little Christmas shopping at the KHS tent.  Immediately afterward, there will be a showing of vintage Kona films from the KHS Jean Greenwell Archives.  Refreshments will be available, and potluck pupu are always welcome.

Christmas Wreath Making Jeep Trip

Wednesday, December 1, 8AM - 3PM

‘Tis the season to make a beautiful, natural foliage wreath with floral designer Scott Seymour! These wreaths are easy to do and will remain beautiful for many months.
We will meet at the Kealakekua Ranch Center and travel to Papaloa, the mauka ranch home of the Sherwood Greenwell family, picking fresh ohia and other natural materials along the way. All wreath making materials (besides the ones you pick along the way!) will be provided along with a stew lunch and hot drinks. This trip is the perfect way to “capture the Holiday Spirit”! 

The cost for this jeep trip is $110. As with all of our jeep trips, you must be a current KHS member to attend; click here if you would like to join or renew.  To join this trip you must reserve a spot and send in your waiver along with payment no later than Wednesday, November 24th.  After this date the cost will be $120. You may also reserve a spot online by clicking here.  This trip is limited so sign up today!
We check in at 7:30 AM for the start of the trip at Kealakekua Ranch Center parking lot (lower level) and complete the trip at about 3:00 PM. Four wheel drive vehicles are required.  For members wishing to go but do not have 4WD, participation is based on space availability. Make sure you bring cold weather gear.

Bread Baking at the Portuguese Stone Oven

Every Thursday between 10:00AM-1:00PM

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 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 this Thursday at the Portuguese Stone Oven in the pasture below KHS headquarters in Kealakekua.