Many great ideas have blossomed from a little brainstorming. The Hanohano o Kona (Honoring Kona) lecture series is one of them.

Last April, Kona Historical Society leaders met with 14 Kona residents, including farmers, ranchers, politicians, marketing professionals and owners of visitor attractions. All have a common interest in preserving and sharing the area’s history. With the poor economic environment limiting the programs and projects it could sponsor on its own, KHS was seeking partnerships and suggestions on how it could do more with its historical resources.

"As a result of that session, a group of volunteers, KHS staff and County of Hawaii officials came together to create Hanohano o Kona," said Kuu­lani Auld, the society’s program director. "The programs will be free and open to the public. The speakers and coordinators of the series are donating their time, and the county has generously allowed us to use the new West Hawaii Civic Center free of charge. It’s a way to give back to the community that has supported KHS for so long."

Eleven monthly lectures will cover a variety of topics, from ancient trails and Chinese New Year traditions to pa‘u riding and 19th-century Hawaii property tax records. Speakers include historians, educators, athletes, authors and cultural authorities.

"Hanohano o Kona will expose people to deeper aspects of local life than those experienced through typical tourism activities," Auld said. "It carries out the Kona Historical Society’s mission, which is to connect past, present and future generations and to inspire an appreciation for Kona’s history and heritage. The series will enrich and unite our local community, and for visitors it will nurture an understanding of and admiration for Kona’s truly special sense of place."

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Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won several Society of American Travel Writers awards.

Jan. 25

Ka Olelo Hawaii: The Hawaiian Language: Revitalizing the Language Through Our Children  

Hawaiian language, songs, chants and hula are the focus of this presentation by the staff and students of Ke Kula o Ehunuikaimalino, a Hawaiian language immersion school, and members of Unuehu, a group that is studying Unukupukupu, a rigorous experiential hula curriculum at Hawaii Community College.

Feb. 29

Chinese New Year: Celebration and Tradition

Ed Yap and other members of the Kohala Tong Wo Society will discuss traditions brought by the first Chinese immigrants to Hawaii, the importance and influence of Chinese societies, martial arts schools, the development of Hono-lulu’s Chinatown and Chinese New Year customs.

March 28

Portal to the Past: Hawaiian Kingdom Property Taxes

Using Hawaiian kingdom tax records starting in 1850, KHS and Tom Woods, executive director of the Mission Houses Museum in Hono-lulu, created a database that provides surprising insights into 19th-century life in Kona.

April 25

Spearfishing and the Evolution of Freediving

These thrilling water sports are seen through the eyes of Olympic swimmer Richard “Sonny” Tanabe, who wrote two books about them: “Spearfishing on the Island of Hawai‘i” and “The Evolution of Freediving and History of Spearfishing in Hawai‘i.”

May 30

Pa‘u Riding: Perpetuating the Tradition in Today’s Generation

Pa‘u experts explain how riders choose the colors and flowers for the lei they and their horses wear, the meaning behind the pageantry and how today’s pa‘u riders differ from those of the past. Kuulani Auld, KHS’ program director, and Hannah Springer, a Hawaiian cultural authority, will serve as moderators.

June 27

Voices from the Edge: Hawaii’s Ancient Trails and Their Message Today

Richard Stevens, lecturer in history at the University of Hawaii Center-West Hawaii, will shed light on how ancient Hawaiian trails connect us to earlier times and the opinions that are being circulated today about access issues.

July 25

Surfing in Kona: Past, Present and Future

Among the topics Kona watermen Jerome Kanuha and Pete Hendricks will cover are the development of surfboards and surfing techniques, and offshoots of surfing, including kiteboarding and stand-up paddling.

Aug. 29

The Culture of the Canoe: He Inoa no Liliuokalani (In the Name of Liliuokalani)

Hannah Springer returns to provide information about the Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Race with respected canoe paddling coaches. Crews from all over the world come to Kona to compete in this three-day Labor Day weekend event, which is the largest long-distance canoe race in the world. Now in its 41st year, it’s an 18-mile contest from Kailua Bay to Honaunau and back.

Sept. 26

Rebirth in the Heart of a Cemetery: West Hawaii

Veterans Cemetery and Restoration of Kona’s Forests

Restoring Hawaii’s native dry-land forests, which are on the brink of extinction, is the subject of Richard Stevens’ second Hanohano o Kona lecture. He will pay special attention to the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery, where he coordinates a reforestation project.

Oct. 31

The Onouli Crossroads: Notable Residents of Christ Church and Central Kona Union Cemeteries

A well-known historian and lifelong resident of Kona, Maile Melrose has been leading KHS’ cemetery tours for several years. She captivates her audience with tales of murder, arson, betrayal, loyalty and love.

Nov. 14

Voices from Our Past: Diversity and Independence in Kona’s Oral Histories

Students from professor Ann Kern’s speech communication classes at the University of Hawaii Center-West Hawaii will interpret oral histories from KHS’ Jean Greenwell Archives, bringing to life cattle and sheep ranchers, coffee farmers, merchants, politicians, teachers and others who shaped Kona’s history. Before she moved to Hawaii island in 1997, Kern, who’s also an interpreter for KHS, was a stage manager and artistic director for several well-known theaters in California. (This event occurs on the second Wednesday of the month.)

MORE FOR HISTORY LOVERS

The Kona Historical Society also offers the following activities. Unless otherwise stated, call 323-3222:

>> Free bread-baking demonstrations: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays and the second Tuesday of every month at a reproduction of a typical stone oven used by Portuguese immigrants who came to Kona in the 1880s. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the pasture beside the oven. The program will resume on Jan. 26.

>> Kailua village walking tour: 90 minutes, for groups of at least 10. Cost is $15, $7 for ages 5-12. Reservations required at least 48 hours in advance; 938-8825.

>> H.N. Greenwell Store: Stocked with reproductions of goods found there in the 1890s. Costumed storekeepers greet visitors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Admission is $7, $3 for ages 5-12.

>> Kona Coffee Living History Farm: Depicts daily life of Japanese farmers from 1920 to 1945. Take a self-guided tour of the orchards, farmhouse and mill, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Costumed interpreters explain the buildings, artifacts and equipment. Admission is $20, $18 for ages 65 and older, $15 kamaaina and $5 ages 5-12. Call 323-2006.

>> Historical boat tours: On select Sundays; the next trip is Feb. 5. Tours depart from Keauhou Bay at 2 p.m. and return at 5 p.m. Among points of interest are Kuamoo battlefield, Capt. Cook monument in Kealakekua Bay and Puuhonua o Honaunau (Place of Refuge). Cost $75, $65 for historical society members, $45 for ages 4-12. Call 322-2788.