Honokaʻa Heritage Center

Honokaʻa Heritage Center The Honokaʻa Heritage Center in the historic Botelho Building in Honokaʻa Hawaiʻi is now open.

Hal Hisa Yamato was born in Honokaʻa in 1934 to parents who owned a department store and garage in town. He was a photo...
09/16/2026

Hal Hisa Yamato was born in Honokaʻa in 1934 to parents who owned a department store and garage in town. He was a photographer and writer of poetry and local history.

Hal was considered the unofficial mayor for his dedication to the town of Honokaʻa and its people. Having a degree in history from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, it positioned him to document the town through photographs and written recollections.

We are honored to have Hal's photo collection in our archives. The collection consists of photographs of people in front of their businesses, town celebrations, high school graduations, and many other local events. In 1995, Hal started the Honokaʻa Farmers and Cultural Market in front of the Botelho Building and documented the vendors and their wares. The Yamato collection also consists of the articles he wrote on Hāmākua history.

In 1986, Grace Walker, known to everyone as Aunty Grace and Gracie, opened Honokaʻa Trading Co., selling antiques, books...
09/14/2026

In 1986, Grace Walker, known to everyone as Aunty Grace and Gracie, opened Honokaʻa Trading Co., selling antiques, books, clothing and other vintage items in the old automobile repair space in the Botelho Building.

The shop contains a fascinating collection of business signs from local family retail operations that have long since closed. What many remember is how Grace used to strike up conversations with both kamaʻaina and visitors and how she had Samoan banana pancakes readily available at the store.

Honokaʻa Trading Co. remains a mainstay in Uptown Honokaʻa, with Grace’s daughter, Chrissy, carrying on the beloved family business following Grace’s passing in 2021.

Photo by: Hal Hisa Yamato Collection

Working in the harvesting department of the sugar plantation was just one of the many responsibilities that employees in...
09/12/2026

Working in the harvesting department of the sugar plantation was just one of the many responsibilities that employees in that department undertook. Many also contributed to essential tasks like planting and irrigation. During the off-season, they often found themselves working in jobs like welding and carpentry.

A typical shift in the field required teamwork, with sixteen truck drivers, three rake operators, three loader operators, and three workers managing small tractors to clean up stray cane, plus one utility person to keep everything running smoothly.

During the evenings, the cane fields were brightly lit by floodlights on the equipment. The night harvesting system kept the mill going 24 hours a day, producing electricity that was generated with bagasse.

Photo by: Paul Christensen Collection/University of Hawaiʻi

Back in the day, there were five petroleum distributors serving the Hāmākua region, three of which had depots in Honokaʻ...
09/10/2026

Back in the day, there were five petroleum distributors serving the Hāmākua region, three of which had depots in Honokaʻa. One of them was the Standard Oil Company, whose plant was located on the Hilo side of the Kukuiaonanipahu Gulch, sharing a space with the State Highways Baseyard.

Established as one of the key players in the petroleum industry, Standard Oil brought essential fuel and lubricants to the islands, supporting the burgeoning sugarcane industry and transportation needs. It also provided jobs and contributed to the economic growth of the community.

Photo by: Paul Christensen Collection/University of Hawaiʻi

Did you know that in the 1930s, Anton Teves operated a shuttle bus service between Honokaʻa and the Hawaiʻi Consolidated...
09/08/2026

Did you know that in the 1930s, Anton Teves operated a shuttle bus service between Honokaʻa and the Hawaiʻi Consolidated Railway station in Paʻauilo? The bus, which could hold up to 30 passengers, made stops along Māmane Street to pick up travelers from nearby areas like Pāʻauhau, Haina, Āhuloa, and Kukuihaele.

When not in use, the shuttle bus was stored in a garage near where the Salvation Army stands today. It was an essential part of local transportation, connecting people to the railway so that they could travel to Hilo and back.

Photo by: NHCF Credit Union

Happy National Read a Book Day! Whether you’re young or young at heart, there’s just something special about reading a g...
09/06/2026

Happy National Read a Book Day!

Whether you’re young or young at heart, there’s just something special about reading a good old-fashioned physical book. Holding it in your hands, turning the pages, seeing how far you’ve gotten… no batteries, no charging, no Wi-Fi required!

And if you’re looking for your next great read, come check out the selection at our gift shop! We have books for readers of all ages, including titles with special ties to our community and Hawaiʻi.

One of our staff favorites is "The Musubi Man" by Sandi Takayama. Think the Gingerbread Man… but with a delicious Hawaiʻi twist when a musubi comes to life and sets off on a fun-filled adventure that’s sure to delight keiki and grown-ups alike.

Our shelves are filled with something for everyone - from self-published books and best sellers to coloring books and more. Stop on by and come browse our books....you just might find your next favorite story!

Our neighbors are open today! Stop by and then come by the Heritage Center!
09/05/2026

Our neighbors are open today! Stop by and then come by the Heritage Center!

The Kukuihaele Breakwater is a notable coastal structure that was constructed to protect a dock used for loading barges....
09/04/2026

The Kukuihaele Breakwater is a notable coastal structure that was constructed to protect a dock used for loading barges. This breakwater is composed of short stone barriers that help mitigate wave action and maintain safe docking conditions.

It also had an unexpected secondary use: it facilitated the loading of ballast stone from the adjacent pali for the construction of the Hilo Bay Breakwater. This innovative reuse of resources highlights ingenuity and the importance of sustainable practices in the coastal infrastructure.

Photo by: Paul Christensen Collection/University of Hawaiʻi

Did you know that Kualoa Ranch & Hamakua Sugar Company share more than just a deep history? Besides both having deep tie...
09/02/2026

Did you know that Kualoa Ranch & Hamakua Sugar Company share more than just a deep history? Besides both having deep ties to shaping the local culture and agricultural development, they share an interesting family connection.

In 1850, Dr. Gerrit P. Judd, a prominent physician and advisor to King Kamehameha III, purchased 622 acres of land in Kualoa for $1,300. Over the next 20 years, he expanded his holdings to a total of 4,000 acres, which became known as Kualoa Ranch.

Francis Morgan, a 5th-generation descendant of Dr. Judd, grew up on the ranch and later took on the stewardship of the family's agricultural legacy. In 1984, Francis purchased the Davies Hamakua Sugar Company, renaming it the Hamakua Sugar Company, Inc.

Today, both Kualoa Ranch and Hamakua Sugar Company are a part of the Morgan family legacy. Francis's son, John Morgan, is now the owner and president of the renowned Kualoa Ranch, which continues to be a hub for agriculture, tourism, and conservation on Oʻahu.

These two iconic businesses highlight the lasting impact of one family’s dedication to shaping Hawaii’s agricultural, cultural, and economic landscapes.

Photo by: Kualoa Ranch Website

Address

45-3490 Mamane Street Suite C
Honokaa, HI
96727

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

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