Tour Historical Stone Structures of East Hawaii
HILO, Hawai`i (September 12, 2011)—Do you know that Hilo once had a Portuguese distillery and a “Chinatown”? Where are stones with mana located? Enjoy the stories behind Hilo’s historically significant and culturally rich places when you join Dr. Judith Kirkendall on an architectural tour of East Hawaii’s “Early Stone Structures” on Saturday, October 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The van tour begins at the Lyman Museum and includes stops such as the ancient Hawaiian fish ponds in Keaukaha, locations of pre- and post- colonial importance, and Plantation Era Japanese and Chinese cemeteries.
Dr. Kirkendall comments: “Because pohaku (stones) were considered to have mana, they were duly respected in Hawaiian culture. Whether it was a natural stone outcropping (Maui’s canoe) or a construction such as heiau (the Naha Stones), the stones were invested with power.”
Seating is limited, so be sure to reserve your space early! Tickets include a bento lunch and bottled water, and are $50 for Museum members and $65 per nonmember (which includes free Museum admission on tour day).
“Early Stone Structures” is one of a series of three architectural van tours of East Hawai`i presented by the Lyman Museum and led by Dr. Kirkendall. This series of tours will give visitors and residents a sense of Hilo’s history. “We need to preserve our environment to the extent possible, in order to know who we are,” comments Dr. Kirkendall. Future tours include “Gathering Places of East Hawai`i” on November 5 and “Domestic Structures of East Hawai`i” on December 17.
The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum showcases the natural and cultural history of Hawai`i to tell the story of its islands and people. For additional information call 935-5021 or visit www.lymanmuseum.org.
