Kona Historical Society in Kealakekua was the victim of acts of vandalism this weekend after holding Christmas at Kalukalu, a free community event featuring music, keiki activities and a visit from Santa.
“Sometime after 8:30 Saturday and before we returned to work Monday morning, vandals came on site and trash that we had in containers was strewn everywhere,” said Michelle Romo, the nonprofit’s executive director. “We had a bin of recycling that was full of bottles that were smashed, so there was glass all over the grass.”
A rock was also thrown through the back window of the historical H.N. Greenwell Store Museum, damaging a vase and a few light fixture, she said. A wreath was also torn off the front of the museum. No items were removed from the museum, however.
“We were equally shocked and devastated Monday morning,” said Romo. “It was disheartening because we just had such a wonderful event with the concert and viewing the Mouse House exhibit.”
Romo asked for the community’s help to find the perpetrators.
“If anybody knows anything or saw anything Saturday evening through Monday morning they can contact Police Officer K. Murray at (808) 961-2233,” she said.
The act of vandalism occurred just after the opening of the Martha Greenwell Mouse House exhibit at the museum. The miniature Christmas village features mice wrapping toys, playing chess, making music and art, and even dressing up like reindeer. All of the artifacts featured in the display are from the attic and tool shed of Greenwell’s in-laws, Frank and Violet Greenwell of Palani Ranch. It took Greenwell eight years to assemble the village.
The exhibit is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Dec. 23 and is free to the public.
On Dec. 15, the Kona Historical Society will be holding its monthly bread bake, with traditional Portuguese bread freshly baked in a stone fono oven. Bread will be available for sale at 1 p.m. until it is sold out. Loaves are $8 a piece.
The Kona Coffee Living History Farm is also open Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. where visitors are transported back in time to an early 20th century working farm.
Visit konahistorical.org for more information.