Historical Exhibit to Highlight Kona’s Cultural Diversity

Kona Historical Society (KHS) has announced a new photo and artifact exhibit highlighting the cultural contributions of Kona’s many ethnic groups. Supported by the State of Hawai‘i Grant-in-Aid program, “Hele Me Ka Pū‘olo: The Gifts We Bring,” will be open to the public from Dec. 10 to June 27 at KHS’s headquarters in Kealakekua.

The exhibit will feature historical photographs, oral histories and artifacts reflecting Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Portuguese, Filipino, Chinese and English heritage.

Contemporary artworks by four Kona artists will also be featured at the exhibit. From Holualoa, artists Hiroki Morinoue and his daughter Miho Morinoue will contribute a mixed media piece reflecting their Japanese heritage. Captain Cook artist Gerald Lucena will present a fiber piece made with locally sourced materials gathered in Kona. Artist and cultural practitioner Conall Kahaka‘io Ravenscraft from South Kona will be contributing a sculpture carved from native wood that expresses the personal relationship he has with his home.

“Presenting tangible cultural objects alongside the intangible experiences and mana’o of community members, we can see how the contents of our pūʿolo tell our story,” said Kona Historical Society Curator Mina Elison. “The contents of our pūʿolo also affect our perspective. Through this exhibit, it is my hope that we spark discussion about our values as individuals and as a community and how we choose to share and express our pūʿolo with the world. Through this lens, we can become more aware of how our actions affect others, our community locally and globally.”

KHS members are invited to a special opening reception on Wednesday, Dec. 12. RSVP by calling (808) 323-3222. To become a member, visit www.konahistorical.org.