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: The Kona Coffee Living History Farm brings the coffee pioneer’s story to life by depicting the daily lives of early Japanese immigrants during the period of 1920-1945. It is America’s only living history coffee farm where visitors may walk through the coffee and macadamia nut orchards learning the methods used back then, tour the historic farmhouse (you may catch them making musubi in the kitchen), and visit with the donkey and chickens. Along the way, costumed interpreters are available to “talk story” and answer questions, 808-323-2006 And be sure to check out the Kona Historical Society’s H.N. Greenwell Store Museum. Costumed interpreters greet you as you enter this award-winning, Smithsonian affiliated, living history program. Experience a part of the daily life of some of the multi-ethnic ranchers and coffee farmers in the Hawaiian Kingdom back as it was in the 1880’s. The Museum is open Mon-Thur. 10-2. (808) 323-3222. 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

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