Queen Liliʻuokalani was born on September 2, 1838. The last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, Queen Liliʻuokalani was an extraordinary leader who possessed a powerful sense of justice, compassion, humanity and forgiveness.
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With grateful hearts and much excitement, Kona Historical Society is proud to announce that our nonprofit has reached its original goal for its special T-shirt fundraiser.
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For a limited time, cowboys and cowboys at heart can add a stylish new shirt celebrating history to their wardrobe while supporting Kona Historical Society.
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Join Kona Historical Society for the final installment of Mondays with Maile, a virtual talk story sharing Konaʻs unique history beginning at 1 p.m. August 10 on the Societyʻs Facebook Page.
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Kona Historical Society is temporarily closing its Portuguese Stone Oven Baking Program until further notice. The last bake of the summer will take place this Thursday, July 30, and the Society apologizes for any disappointment or inconveniences this break causes.
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Recognize and celebrate Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea, Hawaiian Independence Day, by attending July 31 the online world premiere of “Language of a Nation,” a historical docuseries produced by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.
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Danny Akaka Jr. wears palaka shirts probably more than any other aloha shirts. He counted 49 palaka shirts of various colors, three palaka shorts, and one palaka jacket shirt in his closet. His go-to is a Western-style, red palaka shirt with a white yoke.
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The Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities and National Endowment for the Humanities have taken action to generously aid local nonprofits, including the Kona Historical Society, during the current pandemic. Kona Historical Society is overjoyed to receive a $15,000 grant award to support its operating costs.
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The public is invited to join in Kona Historical Society’s next monthly Virtual Talk Story with Maile Melrose, a local author and historian, who will be discussing another pandemic that changed history.
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The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, holds tried and true traditions for some people nationwide. No matter where you are, there's usually a parade celebrating the birthday of America.
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Hoʻokena was once a vibrant 19th-century port town rivaled only by Kailua-Kona in size and importance.
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In the Kalukalu Pasture, beneath the boughs of a decades-old monkeypod tree, Grammy award-winning Hawaiian music virtuoso Daniel Ho looked out at an overflow crowd of nearly 200 fans seated under the tent, in the grass and on blankets or their favorite beach chair and felt gratitude.
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The 1918 flu pandemic was one of the deadliest in recent history – killing 50 million people worldwide, including thousands here in Hawaiʻi. Kona historian Maile Melrose shared her familyʻs history with the pandemic and reflects on some of the lessons for a world caught in the grip of COVID-19.
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In 1803 on a small tropical island surrounded by beautiful oceans and relentless sugar plantations, a baby was born.
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Today, we celebrate King Kamehameha Day and remember the festivities of years past.
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Kona Historical Society has established a plan for reopening in stages, beginning with the relaunch of its Portuguese Stone Oven Baking Program. The Society is excited to welcome back the general public to this popular program with modifications and the implementation of numerous safety measures, which include an emphasis on cleaning, physical distancing practices, and the mandatory use of face masks or cloth coverings.
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The Kona Inn, built in 1928, herald the start of commercial tourism in Kona.
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For fifth graders in Tina Flower’s class at Hawaii Technology Academy, the final day of school marked an important transition, one that is often eagerly anticipated: middle school. Refusing to let this milestone be missed, Flower called upon the perfect party animals: Shizu and Charlie Boy.
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Kona Historical Society is excited to announce that our 100 percent Kona coffee products are being featured on Pa’ina by Ocean, an incredible online platform with original cooking recipes and tutorials, short farm tour videos, and an online Farmer's Market featuring products grown or made on our island. This special partnership begins May 20 and our coffee will be available for a limited time only.
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The Macfarlane Building, named after longtime manager Lewis Macfarlane, was once the headquarters of Captain Cook Coffee Co. Ltd., one of two companies that controlled over half the Kona coffee crop during the first half of the 20th century.
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