Learning Adventures

History and Culture in Kona

Hulihee Palace: This was the vacation home of Hawaii’s Victorian-age alii (royalty). Here they hosted balls and state dinners, and formed alliances with foreign governments. Today, in the middle of bustling Kailua-Kona town, it is a museum with gorgeous displays of period furniture and artifacts. (808) 329-1877. www.daughtersofhawaii.com/huliheepalace

 

Kealakekua Bay: This is where Captain James Cook, the first Westerner to discover the Hawaiian Islands first set foot on Hawaii soil. He happened to arrive during the makahiki celebration and feasting in honor of the god Lono, symbolized by crossed poles draped with white kapa cloth. Cook, sailing in alien craft, white sails unfurled, was seen as Lono incarnate. After a time of revelry and re-provisioning, he left to continue his voyage of exploration, but bad weather and bad luck forced him back some months later. His return led to his death in a skirmish with Hawaiians, but what Cook’s ships carried—cannon, nails and other technology, as well as disease—changed Hawaii forever. A monument on the northern point of the bay commemorates Captain Cook.

Koloko-Honokohau National Historical Park: This 1160-acre park, the site of an ancient Hawaiian settlement, is full of cultural and historical significance. You’ll see fishponds, kahua (house site platforms), kii pohaku (petroglyphs), a holua (stone slide) and heiau (temples). (808) 329-6881. www.nps.gov/kaho

Kona Historical Society’s Kona Coffee Living History Farm: This is the site of a 1900 homestead in the heart of Kona’s famous coffee country. Every member of the Japanese family that once lived here, from kids to grandparents, worked hard to harvest and process the annual coffee crop. An intriguing guided tour gives you a vivid look at what life was like. And make sure to check out the Kona Historical Society’s new museum, opening in February 2007. The H.N. Greenwell Store Museum will share the story of the multi-ethnic society of this area, which once thrived because of farming and ranching during the 1800s. (808) 323-2006. www.konahistorical.org

Mokuaikaua Church: Built by early missionaries in 1837, using coral and lava rock, this is the oldest Christian church in Hawaii. Today, in the middle of Kailua-Kona town, it is still an active church, and is open daily. Artifacts and memorabilia may be viewed in the back of the church. (808)329-0655. www.mokuaikaua.org

 

Puu Honua O Honaunau: This small but amazingly vivid national historical park contains canoe huts, fishponds, heiau (temples), cooking hale (houses) and a full program of cultural events. This was a place sanctified by kahuna (priests) as a “Place of Refuge.” Here, enemy warriors, criminals or other outcasts would be protected—if they could make their way to its entry. 808-328-2288. 808-328-2288. www.nps.gov/puho