Hawaiian Villages

In 1956, Big Islanders opened two Hawaiian Villages, one in Keaukaha and the other on the Wailoa River, less than 2 miles away from each other in Hilo.

The Hawaiian Villages had grass houses, luau, Hawaiian canoes, a scale model of a Hawaiian temple, Hawaiian handicrafts and musical instruments, and hula to capture the romance and culture of Hawaii. They lasted about 10 years. Similar villages sprouted in other spots but never caught on.