Kauai Historical Society

Kauai Historical Society in Lihue preserves island archives, photographs, maps, books, family records and cultural history inside the Historic County Building.

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Kauai Historical Society

The Kauai Historical Society (KHS) operates out of the Kauai County Building in Lihue, which is the oldest government facility still operating in Hawaii. The building was erected in 1913, and even though it is mainly a research facility, it has some old furniture and art on display.

The Historical Society was established in 1914 to preserve Kauai's sacred and historic sites. It was also an early promoter for preservation of the Hawaiian language. The KHS has more than 12,000 photographs in its archives, more than 3,200 maps and 4,500 books. There are also plantation records, periodicals, newspapers and personal papers from local families and organizations.

The KHS maintains the only general historical archive for the island of Kauai. The Historical Society and any items on display are open to the public, but the immense collection of archives is available by appointment only.

Key Features

Historical archive and research center in Lihue
Located in the Historic County Building on Rice Street
Founded in 1914 to preserve Kauai history
Collection includes photographs, maps, books and newspapers
Plantation records, family papers and organization records are part of the archive
On-site research is by appointment only
Strong focus on Kauai place names, cultural history and historic preservation
Near Lihue civic buildings, Kalapaki Beach and Grove Farm Homestead Museum
Best suited for archives, research and local history interests

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Kauai Historical Society founded?

Kauai Historical Society was founded in 1914 to preserve Kauai history, cultural records, family stories, place names and historic sites.

What kind of materials does Kauai Historical Society preserve?

The archive includes photographs, maps, books, newspapers, plantation records, family papers, organization records and other materials related to Kauai's past.

Why is the Historic County Building important?

The society is housed in the Historic County Building in Lihue, one of Kauai's important civic landmarks and a fitting setting for island history research.

How is Kauai Historical Society different from Grove Farm Homestead Museum?

Kauai Historical Society focuses on archives, records and research. Grove Farm Homestead Museum focuses on a preserved plantation property, buildings, gardens and guided stories from Kauai's sugar era.

Who is Kauai Historical Society best for?

It is best for people researching family history, place names, plantation records, old photographs, maps, newspapers or Kauai cultural and civic history.