From the Collection is a new virtual program series highlighting Kona Historical Society’s archives, its historic sites, and people, places and things in our community. Typically held on the last Wednesday of the month, viewers will discover unseen objects from the Society’s collections, learn how to care for family heirlooms, get behind-the-scenes sneak peeks of historic sites, and hear Kona stories.
From the Collection will be live streamed on Kona Historical Society’s Facebook Page and on Zoom. The best way to find out the date and more on the topic of the next program in this series is “LIKE” our Facebook page or to check the “News” section on our website.
"Celebrating Konawaena High School's Centennial ” aired on Oct. 29th 2021 and celebrated the history of Konawaena High School with Retired Agriculture Teacher and Curator of the Konawaena Museum, Maverick Kawamoto.
"Stories from Kauleolī” aired on Sept. 29th 2021 and featured guest speakers from the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, Interpretive Specialist, Mandy Johnson-Campbell and Archaeologist, Tanya Souza-Lizama. As an ancient South Kona fishing village, Kauleolī contains sections of remarkably well preserved trails and natural features that help to tell its story. Ongoing preservation of this historic area brought staff from the trail to the archives at Kona Historical Society where they located photographs and maps that brought the history alive.
“What Can A Photograph Tell Us?” aired Nov. 25, 2020. ” Kona Historical Society welcomed back local historian Maile Melrose to discuss a unique photograph depicting “Donkey Baseball” found within the Jean Greenwell Library & Archive by Society staff this month. Maile joined Public Programs Manager Audrey Blair to talk about the possible origin of the photo and additional stories related to the one in the photo.
“Bread, Baking, and ‘Kneading’ a Community” aired Sept. 30, 2020. During this approximately 30-minute-long program, viewers will be introduced to Hawaiʻi Island bakeries and bakers, both past and present, and hear their memories, inspiration and reasons to bake. Some of these bakers have survived through generations by changing with the neighborhoods or staying true to their recipes and always maintaining a strong connection to the community.
"Ka Wai o ka Ha- A Source of Life [at Nāpōʻopoʻo] ” aired on Dec. 29th 2021 and featured guest speaker Conall Kahaka'ioikamalie Ravenscraft, who presented a personal journey retracing family history and ancestral connections (after a separation of two generations) to the area of Nāpōʻopoʻo through our archive's collection of historic photographs, research notes, and documentation.
“Preserving a Kona Story” aired May 19, 2021. This program features long-time Kona resident and Kona Coffee Living History Farm Interpreter, Pauline Nishida-Miller along with Video Producer Jon Kawano, who has his own special connection to Kona and helped to preserve Pauline’s story through film. This program is funded by a grant from Hawai’i Council for the Humanities and National Endowment for the Humanities.
“Aloha ‘Āina: Relationships Between People & Place Through Time” aired Oct. 28, 2020. Kona Historical Society welcomed guest speaker and Resource Manager Natalie Kurashima, Ph.D. The Society weaved together oral histories, photos, and maps from our Jean Greenwell Library & Archive, as well as some of Dr. Kurashima's published biocultural research. Together, we reflected on the ways in which ‘āina cares for people and people care for ‘āina.
your support matters!
While the From the Collection series is free to view, Kona Historical Society welcomes donations of any size in support of this virtual program series and our 501(c)3 nonprofit.