About the Kona Historical Society

The Kona Historical Society is a community based, non-profit organization that was founded in 1976 to collect, preserve and share the history of the Kona districts supported by over 1000 members internationally.
The society maintains two historic sites and the Jean Greenwell Archives, which boasts the largest photograph collection on the Big Island; over 140 maps; many rare and out-of-print books; historical records including manuscripts, pamphlets and oral history interviews; and films and videotapes of Kona.

H.N. Greenwell Store Museum

Kona Coffee Living History Farm

It also provides two living history programs, the H.N. Greenwell Store Museum and the Kona Coffee Living History Farm where costumed interpreters interact with visitors as they learn about Kona’s history through hands on activities. Other programs include off-road tours, lectures, living history programs, and historic preservation.

Capital Campaign Committee Pictured left to right, front row: Billy Paris, Alfreida Fujita, Stephanie Ackerman, Pauline Amarino, Tomoe Nimori. Back row: Bud Norwood, Carol Greenwell, Wilma Paris, Ku’ulani Auld, Meg Greenwell, Jill Olson, Wendy Craven, Balbi Brooks, Sally Inkster, Dave Young, Anne Irene Wilcox, Allen Wall, Dean Uemura

Our Dedicated Board of Directors

Jill Olson, Executive Director, and the late Sherwood Greenwell, KHS President 1976- 2004, both founding members.

President
Allen Wall

Vice President
Buddy Norwood

Treasurer
Dean Uemura

Secretary
Stephanie Ackerman

Executive Director
Jill Olson

Pauline Amarino
Bobby Arnott
Balbi Brooks
Wendy Craven
Dale Fergerstrom
Alfreida Fujita
Carol Greenwell
Meg Greenwell
Sally Inkster
Ed Kaneko
Ruby McDonald
Tomoe Nimori
David Young

Awards and Honors

Tourism Cares for the Kona Historical Society

Our most recent award is from the group,Tourism Cares, the tourism industry’s premier charitable organization for preservation, conservation, restoration and education in tourism. Kona Historical Society was honored as part of the winter 2010 Worldwide Grant Program. The Society is among six global recipients this season to receive one of the prestigious grants, which are presented to worthy tourism-related nonprofits in need of support. The Tourism Cares Worldwide Grant funding will assist in the restoration of the Kona Coffee Living History Farm, which is a unique site, as it is the only living history coffee farm in the United States. The project aims to restore the historic structures and protect them from environmental factors for the safety of staff and visitors.

Kona Historical Society

Award of Merit- American Association of State & Local History

Smithsonian Affiliate- (first in the state of Hawaii)

Everyday Heroes Award- American Red Cross

Historical Preservation: “Keep it Hawai`i”- State of Hawai`i Certificate of Merit

Outstanding Employer of Persons with Disabilities- State of Hawai`i Award

Certificate of Recognition- Richard Smart Big Island Community Achievement Award

Programs

Kona Coffee Living History Farm

National Register of Historic Places- U.S. Department of the Interior

National Preservation Honor Award and Partner Places Program- National Trust for Historic Preservation

Award of Merit- American Association of State & Local History

State Register of Historic Places- State of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources