We continue the Fields of Hawaii series with a look at one of the many sugar cane fields in Maui.
At one point, sugar cane was one of Hawaii’s leading industries and there were 80 plantations throughout Hawaii. Now, there is only one active plantations and it’s on Maui. There was one on Kauai up until several months ago.
On Maui, you’ll find a great little museum about the sugar cane industry and history in Hawaii. The Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum is located in Puunene, Maui. We made the most of a rainy day on Maui by visiting this museum. What was most memorable to me was learning about plantation life and how sugar plantations led to a mix of cultures that currently shape Hawaii’s diversity. In case you can’t get to this museum in person anytime soon, here are a couple of interesting videos produced by the sugar museum.
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Photo credit: Liza of A Maui Blog. Mahalo Liza!
Sheila Beal
Andy Beal
3 comments
I am currently vacationing in Kauai and heard sugarcane will be making a comeback for an alternate fuel source. Any truth to it?
I was told in Dec.2010 the idea of sugar cane for fuel is dead on Kauai.Some of the ag land is being used for seed corn development.
Hi Nan – I’m more than just a little bit jealous that you are vacationing in Kauai now. 😉
I heard the same thing when I was there last month, so maybe there is some truth to it. Let’s hope it’s a success.
Enjoy Kauai!