Kona Historical Society

Name: Kona Historical Society
Address: 81-6551 Mamalahoa Highway, Kealakekua, HI, 96750, US
Telephone: (808) 323-3222
Price range: $

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Kona Historical Society

Collecting, preserving and sharing Kona's stories and unique sense of place. To join us or for more information, go to www.konahistorical.org.

The Kona Historical Society is a community-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and Smithsonian Museum affiliate with the only permanent National Endowment for Humanities exhibits in Hawaii — the H.N. Greenwell Store Museum in Kealakekua and the Kona Coffee Living History Farm in Captain Cook. The Society collects, preserves and shares the history of the Kona Districts and their larger context in the history of Hawaii. Over the past three decades, the Society has garnered dozens of awards and commendations for its unique museums, two national and state registered buildings, public programs, and research archive.

10/09/2026

Does this Academy Award winning actor look familiar?

Yes indeed! This is the legendary & talented Lee Marvin! Lee was a frequent visitor and enjoyer of the Kona Coast and the town of Kailua-Kona. Marvin became Famous for his performances in American western and war films such as The Dirty Dozen, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and Cat Ballou.

Back in the day, If you were lucky you might've ran into Lee Marvin, Richard Boone, and Jonathan Winters having a drink together at Akamai Barnes! We know some Kona locals who might have a story or two 😉

These images come from the Kona Historical Society archives photo collection and are of Lee in 1966 posing next to the Kona Inn's international signs. Courtesy of Adrian Harvey Saxe.

If you are interested more about local history, popular figures, or important places we invite you to visit our archive upon request!
You can make an appointment request over the phone or follow this link to our website:
https://konahistorical.org/visit-the-archives-request

10/05/2026

This weeks Photo ID Project image! Does anyone recognize this taiko drummer from the lantern parade in 1987?

Photo Number: 2021.015.0638

Description: Kona Coffee Cultural Festival lantern parade, November 1987

Photographer: Bob Fewell

The Photo ID Project is a weekly collaboration between KHS, HCFCU and West Hawaii Today to highlight unidentified subjects every Monday. Last week's photo published in WHT remains unidentified. Can you help us identify this person?

If you have information about this photograph please comment below, call 808-323-3222, or email [email protected]. Mahalo for your kōkua!

10/01/2026

UPDATE: The Kona Coffee Living History Farm will be closed to the public in the month of October.

Our farm interpreters will be taking some well-deserved time off between the busy summer season and the holidays to visit with their own families.

We will be back open November 3rd! Mahalo and see you all then!

09/30/2026

NO Portuguese bread bake & sale tomorrow 10/1/26!

There will be no Portuguese bread bake & sale tomorrow. Pest control will be servicing our facilities until the end of the week, Mahalo!

09/28/2026

This weeks Photo ID Project image! Can you identify these two contestants picking coffee in 1987?

Photo Number: 2021.015.0597

Description: Coffee Picking Contest, possibly part of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, November 1987.

Photographer: Bob Fewell

The Photo ID Project is a weekly collaboration between KHS, HCFCU and West Hawaii Today to highlight unidentified subjects every Monday. Last week's photo published in WHT remains unidentified. Can you help us identify this person?

If you have information about this photograph please comment below, call 808-323-3222, or email [email protected]. Mahalo for your kōkua!

09/23/2026

NO PORTUGUESE BREAD OVEN BAKE TOMORROW 9/24

NO Bake tomorrow for the Portuguese Oven Program due to the unpredictability of the weather. Stay safe and take care of each other. 🙂

09/21/2026

This weeks Photo ID Project image! Does anyone recognize nā kāne on stage in the 90s or where this event took place?

Photo Number: 91.023.0164

Description: Musicians on stage at event, 1990s.

Photographer: Unknown

The Photo ID Project is a weekly collaboration between KHS, HCFCU and West Hawaii Today to highlight unidentified subjects every Monday. Last week's photo published in WHT remains unidentified. Can you help us identify this person?

If you have information about this photograph please comment below, call 808-323-3222, or email [email protected]. Mahalo for your kōkua!

09/18/2026

Recently, one of our Photo ID Project images featured the former Kailua-Kona favorite Ocean View Inn!

As a result, we wanted to highlight more images of the Ocean View Inn from our collection. Including additional photos of the 1966 Chinese New Year celebration!

Though many things have changed, such as the name, you can still see the iconic beauty of Kailua Bay's waterfront that captivates travelers and locals alike.

Can anyone tells us what restaurant sits there now?

If you are interested in learning more about the Ocean View Inn check out this interview with Thomas Kam, Grandson of the original owner. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SDFl4Ygh2QQoCMc0ABRo-LClNg96ED-7/view?usp=sharing

09/14/2026

This weeks Photo ID Project image! Can you identify any of these folks from the dedication of Hale Kipa in 1964!

Photo Number: 83.004.4368

Description: Dedication of Hale Kipa on December 5, 1964.

Photographer: Adrian Harvey Saxe

The Photo ID Project is a weekly collaboration between KHS, HCFCU and West Hawaii Today to highlight unidentified subjects every Monday. Last week's photo published in WHT remains unidentified. Can you help us identify this person?

If you have information about this photograph please comment below, call 808-323-3222, or email [email protected]. Mahalo for your kōkua!

09/08/2026

This weeks Photo ID Project image! Do you recognize these Keiki and their mākua at the Ocean View Inn celebrating Chinese New year in 1966?

Photo Number: 83.004.3077

Description: Chinese New Year at Ocean View Inn.

Photographer: Adrian Harvey Saxe

The Photo ID Project is a weekly collaboration between KHS, HCFCU and West Hawaii Today to highlight unidentified subjects every Monday. Last week's photo published in WHT remains unidentified. Can you help us identify this person?

If you have information about this photograph please comment below, call 808-323-3222, or email [email protected]. Mahalo for your kōkua!

Address

81-6551 Mamalahoa Highway
Kealakekua, HI
96750

Telephone

(808) 323-3222

Website

http://www.konahistorical.org/

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