Kona Historical Society is in jeopardy of closing; needs to raise $200,000 by Dec. 31
The Kona Historical Society should be marking its 50th birthday. Instead the nonprofit is trying to raise $200,000 by Dec. 31 to repair earthquake damage and stay afloat.
Founded in 1976 to collect and share the history of the Kona districts, including coffee farming and ranching, the society runs two historic sites: the Kona Coffee Living History Farm in Captain Cook and the H.N. Greenwell Store in Kealakekua. The store's basement holds an archive of 50,000 photos that is open to the public.
Longtime volunteer Buggins Ha'alilo, a retired Kamehameha Schools preschool teacher, called the society a historical icon and said its photos include her own ranching family moving cattle from Keauhou Bay out to ships.
Key points
- Goal: $200,000 by Dec. 31
- Runs Kona Coffee Living History Farm and H.N. Greenwell Store
- Archive of 50,000 photos
Summary written by Readthrough from the original article. The full story, with photos and any updates, is at Big Island Now.
