The Kahuku Sugar Mill was built in 1890 on the North Shore of Oahu in a town called Kahuku. The portuguese, Japanese and Filipino immigrants came to work this plantation for eight decades. Being the victim of decay and the costly cleanup of polluted land was the reason for tearing down much of what was left of the mill in 2004.
Everyone in this tiny little town grew up around this mill and everyone seemed to have a connection to it. The Mormons settled there in the mid 1800's and they are the ones who began cultivation of sugar and the sugar mill itself closed in 1971 after 81 years in operation.To this day the majority of people here had relatives who once labored in the fields or worked in the mill. They even tried to save this center of the community with a variety of shops, restaurants and of course the Hawaii history they hoped would bring tourists and prosperity.
But alas, it was not meant to continue to be. Only a few markers are left to commemorate the mill's importance to the community and ....history was made there. Long after the mill closed the old sugar workers and their families still lived in the plantation housing.
Surrounding lush lands and beautiful countryside and close to the ocean make this quaint town one of the last non booming towns on Oahu. If you like country living this is it!
If you are just visiting and desire resort living on the North Shore:
And other activities on the North Shore of Oahu!
- Kualoa Ranch Recreation, horseback riding and more!
- The Polynesian Cultural Center A
uthentic luau (Hawaiian feast), 7 native villages with shows galore from other South Pacific cultures! - Helicopter Tours right from Turtle Bay Resort! Many flight paths to choose from and 2 way radios to speak to other guests and the pilot. Cool!
- The Original Glider Rides from Dillingham field at Mokuleia. Skydiving too! You'll definitely be singing "I believe I can fly" when up over the clouds!
- Historic Haleiwa Town Haleiwa (Home of the Iwa bird) was a sugar plantation town for over 100 years until 1996 Wailua Sugar (Oahu's last sugar plantation) shut down. Haleiwa remained "country" and in 1984 Haleiwa was designated a Historic, Cultural and Scenic District.
- Dole Plantation Pineapple Express, the Plantation Garden Tour, the Pineapple Garden Maze and the Guinness Book of World Records 2001 World's Largest Maze
- Waimea Valley Gardens, Waihi Falls, legends and heiau's (temples) A glimpse into the beauty of Waimea Bay, the Valley and the falls with it's rich history too.
© 2009 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
I love hearing other members local info and history. I will make a point of trying to stop by when I visit-Dinah Lee
Woo Hoo, I remember as a new member to ActiveRain , how taken I was with your localism posts and I recall suggesting that you would be a real asset to the Tourism Industry. From all that I have learned since , you have actually made a huge impact on tourism in Hawaii. Many more people come to the islands just because of the beautiful way you present it. Living in a place as beautiful as Hawaii probably helps, right? Thanks for sharing the history here and for making all of Hawaii a part of our lives.
Sally, you never cease to amaze me. :) Love to visit your posts and think of all the warmth that surrounds you. Have a great week!
Sally... you just keep coming up with some great and interesting stuff for Hawaii and the surrounding islands. I always though of Hawaii as small, with trees and water... lol Hey, I saw something on the History channel today about Maui, the winding road that is on the outskirts, along the water... and a few other things that they mentioned. Oh yea... some place up top, that had to be fenced off, to keep wildlife out from eating the beautiful bushes and plants. It was very interesting, I just couldn't remember the name of the place. thanks
Hi Sally. Ah yes, sugar was king on all the islands until recent times. Kauai still has surgar cane but I'm told this is the last year for it.
Sally- Sometimes Progress or Modernization seems to take with it a part of History. I remember seeing many of the things you mentioned on my different trips to your island. Thanks for sharing these pictures.
Hi Sally Darlin', I know this Sugar Mill. When I was in Hawaii last year, we took a ride out to one of my favorite places on earth-The Turtle Bay Hilton...we stopped at the Sugar Mill and I bought three fresh water pearl bracelets there...now what did I do with those. I was happy to see the old shrimp farm had re-opened. We got a plate lunch at one of the shrimp trucks and nearly killed ourselves trying to finish off the Tempura battered shrimp....yummmo!
Sally you are a wealth of information when it comes to your island. Great job as usual show casing all the fine attractions!
There is a tire mill in the town I grew up in that most people in the town who have retired, retired from. It however is still there and is about the only place in the town to work at. This was really neat to read, thanks for sharing some history with us.
Sally as you know I was born in Portugal, but I never realized the the Portugees had made it out as far as Hawaii. I guess they were busy spreading those Portugess genes all over the place ........... LOL
Whew...I'm glad the comment section looks less busy today :) :)
George: You're too funny....but when I think about it...hey...it's warm over here too hahaha.
Thanks JL....I love learning about history here....something I didn't pay much attention to while young...and look...blogging made me do it lol.
What fascinating history! I would never have guessed that Mormons settled there. Your photographs are spectacular. You truly are the expert travel guide and Realtor. I still hope one day to visit you.
Thanks Bill!
Hey Marlene! I'm so glad to see you romping around here again! Yup...MANY shrimp places now....I know which one you're talking about though.....Remy's or something like that.
Sally - you do such a nice job on your localism posts, which are always filled with information adn terrific photos. Any buyers looking for Hawaii real estate on your island will find the local expert in you.
Jeff
Aloha Sally,
Another great showcase of localism on Oahu, just goes to show your expertise and knowledge of your market place.
Sally- What a wonderful history lesson filled with warmth and appreciation. I love history. I did not pay much attention as a young girl in Hawaii of the history- you know- the time in our lives we are so full of ourselves.
When I go back I want to soak it all in.
Some of the finest pictures and truely wonderful posts. Thanks.
Was it you where I read about the little locomotive that ferried back and forth to the sugar plantations for years before being moved to a museum?