Kealakekua in Hawaii County, Hawaii — Hawaiian Island Archipelago (Pacific Ocean)
Greenwell Store
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2018
1. Greenwell Store Marker
circa 1875
Has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Kona Heritage Store
Greenwell Store
est. ca. 1875
Kona Historical Society & Pulama
(supplementary panel)
Welcome to the Kona Historical Society's historic general store.
As you enter the broad front doors, you cross the threshold into the 1890s. Stocked with accurate reproductions of goods that filled the shelves and hung from the ceiling joists, the store offers a glimpse of activities at Kalukalu over a century ago.
In the 1870s, Henry Nicholas Greenwell built this stone store of lava rock mortared with a mixture of burnt coral, sand and water. It was the center of commerce for this mauka (inland) area, and an important commercial outpost in the isolated but growing district of Kona. Until then, stores and warehouses were located at the coastal ports.
The general merchandise store also served as the post office and meeting place. Residents and travelers of all ethnicities came to purchase and barter for food, farm equipment, household items, pharmaceuticals, and clothing. For free, they could catch up on the local gossip.
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.
Location. 19° 30.628′ N, 155° 55.219′ W. Marker is in Kealakekua, Hawaii, in Hawaii County. Marker can be reached from Mamalahoa Highway (Hawaii Route 11) 0.1 miles north of Konawaena School Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located near the entrance to the historic general store building, on the Kona Historical Society Museum grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 81-6551 Mamalahoa Highway, Kealakekua HI 96750, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. In Memory of Captain James Cook, R.N. (approx. 2.2 miles away); First Christian Service in Hawaii (approx. 2.4 miles away); Royal Center at Keauhou Bay (approx. 4.4 miles away); The Kamehameha Dynasty (approx. 4.4 miles away); Kauikeaouli and Nāhi'ena'ena (approx. 4.4 miles away); Birthplace of Kauikeaouli (approx. 4˝ miles away); Kauikeaouli, Kamehameha III (approx. 4˝ miles away); Keauhou Bay (approx. 4˝ miles away).
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2018
2. Greenwell Store Marker (supplementary panel; located near marker)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2018
3. Greenwell Store Marker (wide view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2018
4. Greenwell Store (north side view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2018
5. Foundation ruins near Greenwell Store building
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2018
6. Kona Historical Society Museum Sign (enter here from Mamalahoa Highway)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 15, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 16, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
