The 1890s

The 1890s was a period of growth and stability for Hakalau. No longer a start-up company, the Hakalau Plantation hired George Ross as manager and later his brother, John M. Ross, as Head Overseer. Together they provided steady leadership and support for both the business and the community. A new mill was built as well as a stately home for the plantation manager, which still exists today. The plantation added new lands and the workforce continued to grow, with laborers almost exclusively from Japan. The perils associated with the weather and the location of the mill were evident with both storm damage to the mill and the loss of a ship, the Kihalani, on the rocks at Hakalau. The need for road development begged attention.

1890

  • The City Directory of 1890 describes the Hakalau Plantation Company:​
HAKALAU PLANTATION CO, James Chalmers manager, W. G. Irwin & Co agents Honolulu, 2,800 acres, 200 acres under cultivation; estimated yield 1891, 6,500 tons; two mills, capacity 12 and 16 tons per diem respectively, 500 men employed; fluming system employed in handling all cane; 25 miles flume; post office Hakalau, 15 miles from Hilo
  • ​​George Ross was hired as Manager of Hakalau Plantation. He served as manager until August 1905, retiring due to poor health. For the next 52 years, Hakalau Plantation would be under the management of one of the Ross brothers.
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George Ross circa 1890, photo courtesy of Billy Speidel
  • ​A storm and high surf wreaked havoc in the Hakalau Mill. This is a recurring theme.
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Evening Bulletin, February 26, 1890, p. 2, accessed via Newspapers.com

1891

1892

  • The City Directory of 1892 describes the Hakalau Plantation Company:​
Hakalau Plantation Co., District of Hilo. Geo. Ross, manager; W. G. Irwin & Co., agents; H. V. Patten, bookkeeper; R. Saddler and J. Angus, engineers; F. Kaapa and F. Coleman, sugar boilers; L. S. Thompson, physician; J. Unea, schoolteacher. Employs 773 men.
  • The location of Hakalau Mill, on Hakalau Bay, was precarious. A winter storm damaged the Mill.
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The Honolulu Advertiser, December 1, 1892, p. 2, accessed via Newspapers.com

1893

1894

  • The City Directory of 1894-95 describes the Hakalau Plantation Company:​
HAKALAU' PLANTATION CO, George Ross mgr, 4000 acres under cultivation, capacity of mill 50 tons per day, employees 650 men, W G Irwin & Co agents Honolulu, Hakalau
  • During this period, only Japanese laborers were being imported. Of the  5,020 Japanese laborers brought in during the previous year, 360 (7%), were sent to Hakalau Plantation. 
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The Honolulu Advertiser, January 23, 1894, page 1, accessed via Newspapers.com

1895

  • John M. Ross, brother of George Ross, hired as Head Overseer. In 1905, John M. Ross replaced his brother George as Hakalau Plantation Manager and served in this position until 1942.
  • A muddy road on what later became Old Mamalahoa Highway in Hakalau shows the Hakalau General Store and the home of the store manager in the forefront. Much development would take place in the near future.
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Hakalau General Store, circa 1895. Photo from the Ross Collection courtesy of Lyman Museum.
  • Steamer Kihalani a total loss off the coast of Hakalau while trying to pick up a cargo of sugar.
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The Honolulu Advertiser, February 2, 1895, p. 1, accessed via Newspapers.com
  • Salvage work was successful in recovering the Kihalani's machinery off the rocks in Hakalau Bay.
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The Hawaiian Gazette, March 15, 1895, p. 7. accessed via Newspapers.com
  • The first Hakalau Sugar Mill was torn down along with the sugar mill at Honohina. 
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The Hawaiian Gazette, December 10, 1895, p. 2, accessed via Newspapers.com.

1896

  • John A. Scott built a new mill at Hakalau to replace the old ones recently torn down at Hakalau and at Honohina. This new mill was imported from Scotland and came around Cape Horn in a chartered schooner. (Sources: The Honolulu Advertiser, December 7, 1895 and April 30, 1925, accessed via Newspapers.com)​
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The Hawaiian Star, January 15, 1896, p. 3, accessed via Newspapers.com
  • The City Directory of 1896 describes the Hakalau Plantation Company:​
HAKALAU PLANTATION Co   George Ross Manager, W G Irwin & Co Agents Honolulu 4000 Acres Under Cultivation, Yield for 1896 7000 Tons of Sugar, Capacity of Mill (24 hours) 50 Tons, 650 Men, 200 Head of Stock Employed, Hakalau
  • Delivery of mail is a major issue.

1897

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The Hakalau Plantation Manager's House, courtesy of the Lyman Museum
  • The Hakalau Plantation Manager's home was the focal point for social life along the coast.
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Hilo Daily Tribune, August 14, 1897, accessed via Newspapers.com
  • Sugar output reached its greatest tonnage, and better yields expected in the future.
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Evening Bulletin, July 28, 1897, p. 1, accessed via Newspapers.com

1898

  • Hakalau Plantation continues to grow in acreage and the size of its workforce.
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Evening Bulletin, March 12, 1898, p. 1
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The Honolulu Advertiser, January 31, 1898, p. 1, accessed via Newspapers.com

1899

  • Traffic to Hakalau from Hilo is increasing.
  • Transportation, the quality of roads and the quality of the experience are often reported.
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The Independent, January 9, 1899, p. 2, accessed via Newspapers.com
For the Hakalau Kuleana, our responsibility is to care for the land, the people, and the culture. We are guided by cultural values of YESTERDAY: Engage in collective effort. Look out for each other. Honor hard work. Show respect for those who came before us. Aloha and Mālama `Aina. In 2021, Akiko Masuda added two more values to the list: Consistently show up. Whatever has to be done, jump in and do it!