Mr Kane was a founding member of the society and served as president for 20 years, from its establishment in 1985 until 2004.
He is the second person to be made a life member of the group - Peg Mathieson, also a founding member, was the first in 2010.
Through his "great enthusiasm" for record-keeping and historic projects - such as the windmill in Hawea Flat and the cairn at the top of the Crown Range, Mr Kane had made a significant and valuable contribution to the Upper Clutha district, Mr Dickson said.
"I hope that the committee will keep on going and that the records that we've compiled will be of some benefit to the future people of Wanaka," Mr Kane said.
The Kanes were one of the Upper Clutha's pioneer families, with five generations of the family having farmed at Grandview, on the Luggate-Tarras Rd.
Mr Kane was born on the property where he lived for most of his life. Kane Rd, which links Luggate with Hawea, is named after the family.
Mr Kane and his wife Elsie now live at Elmslie House rest-home in Wanaka.
