Kona History - Horizon Guest House

Hulihe’e Palace was the former residence of the High Chief John Adams Kuakini, also the first Royal Governor of Hawaii Island. The palace sits on land that was at one time the residence of Kamehameha the Great.

The palace was built in 1838 and is constructed out of native lava rock, coral lime mortar, koa and ‘ohi’a wood.

The original construction included koa wood paneling throughout. The entire building is 3600 sq. feet in size, spread over two floors. There are six rooms, including two bedrooms, and two spacious lanai from which to overlook the grounds and the view over the ocean. There is also a basement and a cookhouse.

The palace was purchased by the Territory of Hawaii at the direction of the Daughters of Hawaii in order to save it from possible demolition to make way for hotels. The building was then leased to the Daughters of Hawaii, who maintain and operate the building. Within the palace is a unique collection of ancient Hawaiian artifacts and other items belonging to the Hawaiian royal family. In 1973 the palace was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

He'e Hōlua

Sled surfing (heʻe hōlua) was a traditional sport of the ali’i (royalty) in the era before contact with the Europeans (see above photo). A track was created for the sled by smoothing the surface of the side of a hill using rock and earth. On top of this was added grass and oil from kukui nuts in order to smooth the surface for the sled. The rider would then lie face down on the sled.

The last royal owners of Hulihe’e Palace were Prince Jonah Kūhiō and his wife Princess Elizabeth Kahanu, however they spent most of their time in Honolulu and Washington DC. It was then sold to a private buyer who died soon after taking possession and was left vacant.

Self-guided & docent-guided tours are available. It’s recommended that you make a reservation, although walk-ins are allowed based on availability.

When and where?

Huliheʻe Palace

Open hours:

Wed, Thu, Sat: 10am – 3:30pm

Fri: 10am – 2:30pm

Sun – Tue – Closed

75-5718 Ali‘i Drive

Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

For more information on admission fees https://daughtersofhawaii.org/hulihee-palace/

Author: Angus Meek

The H.N. Greenwell Store was an important focal point of the Kona community in the late nineteenth century. The store museum provides a fascinating glimpse into what life was like in 1890s Hawai’i and is well-worth a visit.

The Kona Historical Society runs the H.N. Greenwell Store Museum which is located right beside Greenwell Farms. The store was originally built in 1870 and sold a variety of goods including fish, soap, leather, farming supplies, coffee beans and fruit. The store also served as the local post office, pharmacy, bank and general meeting place for those in the relatively isolated South Kona district.

The Greenwell Homestead

Beside the store was the Greenwell Homestead. Henry Nicholas Greenwell built the two-story home in 1850. Greenwell arrived in Hawaii in 1850 where he bought land in Kalukalu. He grew coffee, sold hides of goat and cattle, and produced butter which was shipped to the mainland. Today only the ruins of his house remain.

Constructing the Greenwell’s house presented a number of challenges. Slate was imported for the roof while lava rock was sourced locally for the walls. A considerable effort was required to bring the rock to the building site, most likely using a Hawaiian sled. Wood used as part of the internal structure of the house was shipped over from the West Coast. Wood used for the furniture inside the home was made from either koa or ‘ohi’a found in the island’s forests.

Fresh water sources in the Kona area were scarce and difficult to access. The Greenwell’s collected rainwater using the run-off from the slate roofs and storing the water in underground cisterns next to the house. Today you can see the remains of the cisterns (see photo below).

The Store Museum

The store was a community hub and was run by Henry Greenwell’s wife Elizabeth Caroline Greenwell when he was away. The store was also the central office for the ranching operation that the Greenwell’s developed on thousands of surrounding acres that formed his enormous landholding.

The store is one of the oldest buildings in Hawai’i. Restoration of the building first began in 2006. Original lime mortar was replaced with modern materials and the shutters were repainted. The attic was also structurally reinforced.

In order to recreate the store as authentically as possible Greenwell’s diaries were consulted and the original inventory list of what he ordered was found in the Bishop Museum. Products were then reproduced to match those on the list.

Entry fee is a donation ($5 per person is recommended) and the museum is only open Mondays and Thursdays from 10am-2pm. The coffee farm is located right next door (Greenwell Farms). They offer great tours and free tastings.

Every Thursday at 10am the Kona Historical Society bakes Portuguese bread in a wood-fired stone oven which is located behind the store, down the hill. Find out more here.

When and where?

H.N. Greenwell Store Museum. Mondays and Thursdays only, 10am – 2pm.

81-6551 Mamalahoa Highway, Kealakekua, HI

Explore Kona’s Hulihe’e Palace

Hulihe’e Palace was the former residence of the High Chief John Adams Kuakini, also the first Royal Governor of Hawaii Island. The palace sits on land that was at one time the residence of Kamehameha the Great.

He'e Hōlua

When and where?

Author: Angus Meek

Kona History: H.N. Greenwell Store Museum

The H.N. Greenwell Store was an important focal point of the Kona community in the late nineteenth century. The store museum provides a fascinating glimpse into what life was like in 1890s Hawai’i and is well-worth a visit.

The Greenwell Homestead

The Store Museum

Entry fee is a donation ($5 per person is recommended) and the museum is only open Mondays and Thursdays from 10am-2pm. The coffee farm is located right next door (Greenwell Farms). They offer great tours and free tastings.

When and where?

Author: Angus Meek