Inspirational historian to be honored for work preserving Kona’s history
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maile Melrose to receive an award from Historic Hawaii Foundation
Kona Historical Society proudly announces Maile Melrose, one of Kona’s most dedicated advocates, is among the incredible lineup of honorees being recognized by the Historic Hawaii Foundation at its 46th Annual Historic Preservation Honor Awards.
Over the past 45 years, the Historic Preservation Honor Awards has served as the highest recognition of projects, organizations, publications and individuals active in preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, or interpretation of archaeological, architectural, and cultural sites throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Melrose is getting an Individual Achievement Award.
An author, historian and long-time Kona Historical Society supporter, Melrose has dedicated her life and much of her exceptional work to preserving Kona’s history. This includes Melrose’s contagious way of sharing and igniting an appreciation for the unique historic places and monuments throughout the Kona Districts, as well as her inspirational storytelling of Kona’s people and places. Melrose has contributed to our local history through the online publication, “Maile’s Meanderings,” which was created in collaboration with the Kona Historical Society and is currently available as a free digital resource on the Society’s website. She is currently participating in a virtual talk story, “Mondays with Maile Melrose,” on the Kona Historical Society’s Facebook page, where every Monday at 1 p.m. she shares stories and memories of Kona while answering viewers’ questions. For years, Melrose has helped the Society with its programs, including guided special tours and events that immerse participants into Kona’s past. In addition to her work with the Society, Melrose is also being recognized for her contributions to the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, which she serves as president.
“I am very grateful to the Kona Historical Society for giving me so many reasons to dig into Kona’s history. With Henry Nicholas Greenwell’s example ever before me – the man kept a journal for over 50 years of his 65-year-long life – I know how words can capture the day on paper, and a reader can bring that moment back to life a century later,” Melrose said. “It is a thrill to be honored, following in the trail blazed by so many others at Kalukalu. Gratitude to Jean Greenwell, Sherwood Greenwell, and his sister Amy, and to so many others, for recognizing Kona’s fantastic history and working to keep it alive!”
The 46th Annual Preservation Honor Awards Ceremony was originally scheduled to be held in May. However, this event has been postponed due to the current public health crisis caused by the coronavirus. A new date for this event will be announced later. Until then, information about this year’s honorees can be found at historichawaii.org.
ABOUT KONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Kona Historical Society is a community-based, nonprofit organization and Smithsonian Museum affiliate that has spent the past four decades collecting, preserving and sharing the history of the Kona districts and their rich cultural heritage within Hawaii. For more information, visit www.konahistorical.org.