Kailua Historical Society

The extraordinary book KAILUA is now available!

kailuahistoricalsociety — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 13:34:01 +0000

See what’s being said about our book Kailua.

KAILUA – in the wisps of the Malanai breeze

Kailua showcases the rich cultural and environmental history of the ahupua’a through vintage and contemporary photographs, maps, insightful essays and stories, and songs written by residents, past and present. The book has been in the making for several years. It is nearly 300 pages, includes over 180 photographs, and features the perspective of 23 authors and contributors on topics such as early land ownership, culture, agriculture, archaeology, geology, and environment.

Your Kailua Historical Society membership will entitle you to purchase this book at a 15% discount. Membership and book purchase information is available on this website.

Upcoming Program

kailuahistoricalsociety — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 02:57:15 +0000

The Making of Kailua: Preserving the Kawai’nui Marsh – a conversation with Muriel Seto, a community leader who led the preservation effort.

Muriel Seto returns briefly to Kailua and will trace her life-long love affair with the Kawai’nui Marsh and the many challenges – dating back to the 60s – faced in preserving it. Muriel, who was along-time member of the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle, will describe the strategies and events that took place due to her efforts and those who she worked closely with.

In establishing the Kawai’nui Heritage Foundation, Muriel and her colleagues were successful in advocating for the preservation of the marsh and laid the groundwork for the preservation and restoration of this significant community feature of Kailua’s landscape – one that continues to have historical, agricultural, environmental, and cultural significance today.

Today Kawai’nui Marsh is among a very select group from around the globe that is recognized as “Wetlands of International Importance.”

Please Join Us: Thursday, April 22, 2010, 7 PM

Le Jardin Academy
917 Kalanianaole Hwy (corner of Kapaa Quarry road)
Kailua, HI 96734-4600

For information about the Kawai’nui and Hamakua Marsh complex, go to
http://kailuatown.com/files/history_popups/kawainui-wetlands.html
and http://kaukanawai.blogspot.com/2008/03/kawainui-marsh.html

Lucille’s Bench

kailuahistoricalsociety — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:01:47 +0000

A few years ago the Friends of the Boettcher Estate disbanded and gifted their remaining treasury to the Kailua Historical Society. They asked us to have a bench placed on the grounds of the Estate in memory of Lucille Gibson. Lucille was a gracious lady with flaming red hair who was active in the real estate markets of the Windward side. (Click each photo to see a larger version.)

She and her husband, Ted, were among the founding members of the Friends as well as the Historical Society. She became a most knowledgeable, tireless advocate for our community concerns over the years.

We worked with the Department of Parks and the “Lucille Bench” was placed at the entrance of the Estate (now known as Kalama Park, on Kalahao Road). Those of you who use the park, stop by, have a rest, enjoy the view of the Koolaus and remember this great lady who gave so much to our community.

Contributed by Mary Jane Heilbron

Barefoot Days in Kailua: Minding the Store

kailuahistoricalsociety — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:15:36 +0000

Beginning in the early 1900′s, all Kailua stores were located where the streams enter into the Kawai Nui Marsh. It was here that a thriving rice industry had sprouted – including three rice mills. The stores played a central role in the emerging urbanization.

Before the moderni Pali Haighway was constructed (1955 – 1960), a thriving early community of immigrant farmers blended in with the Hawaiian families already there to experiment in a consumer lifestyle. It demanded patience, trust, hard work, cooperation, and, when making a purchase, a good credit rating. It was an experiment demanding much flexibility – so much so that today all of Kailua’s stores are situated three miles down the road.

A panel of early residents – moderated by Dr. Paul Brennan – will share their memories.

September 17, 2008
7:00 pm
Trinity Presbyterian Church
875 Auloa Rd