The Kona Historical Society is holding an online auction to raise money for its upcoming community projects and programs. The auction will continue through Sunday, July 26, at 7 p.m. (HST). On the auction block are a variety of fun and unique items, 75 percent of which were donated by KHS members and friends.
Last year’s online auction featured nearly $40,000 worth of goods and services. Organizers hope to raise even more money this year. The auction items can be viewed by visiting www.biddingforgood.com/konahistorical. They include antiques and vintage items; golf packages; weekend getaways; artwork by Hawai‘i artists; restaurant certificates; cruises and snorkeling excursions; gourmet foods and Kona coffee; hotel stays and vacation rentals; health and spa items; handcrafted lauhala, leather and wood items; outdoor adventures; KHS historical photos; jewelry, clothing and accessories; and much more.
New items are being added to the auction, so bidders are encouraged to check the site often.
KHS hopes to use some of the auction proceeds to increase its school programs for local and under-served students and to have more special bread bakes in its Portuguese stone oven. The historical society also hopes to increase their historic content and newsletters, sustain their free lectures and events and their living history programs.
Among the society’s new projects is a museum structure with a “white cube” gallery for rotating exhibits. The exhibit topics will reflect the culture and contributions of Hawai‘i’s many ethnic groups and commercial pioneers, including Native Hawaiians and early 19th-century immigrants. Another project planned for KHS’ Kona Coffee Living History Farm will be an improved orientation space.
The Kona Historical Society was founded in 1976 to collect, preserve and share the history of the Kona districts. The society maintains two historic sites and the Jean Greenwell Archives, which boasts the largest photograph collection on Hawai‘i island, as well as maps, rare and out-of-print books, historical records, and films and videotapes of Kona.
Additionally, KHS provides living history programs at its historic sites — the H.N. Greenwell Store Museum and the Kona Coffee Living History Farm. Costumed interpreters interact with visitors learning about Kona’s history through hands-on activities.
For more information on the auction or the society’s programs, contact the Kona Historical Society at (808) 323-3222 or email development@konahistorical.org.
