Hakalau: Then and Now
The aerial photos below of Hakalau Upper Camp and Lower Camp (aka Up Camp and Down Camp) and the Mill Complex illustrate the dramatic change that has taken place in the last 80 years, from the World War II era, to the demise of Hakalau's plantation camps and the final shut down of the sugar industry, to the influx of new residents and demographic shift from a primarily Japanese ancestry in the 1940s and 1950s to a primarily caucasian population in 2020, from workers with families to an older population.
Circa 1944-45
Photo courtesy of Akiko Masuda
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The 1940s were a difficult time for all plantations--more so for Hakalau. World War II resulted in shortages of manpower, supplies and equipment. Neither manpower nor supplies were available to address housing needs with the result that only 2% of camp dwellings were built during this period (tabulated from the insurance valuation files from the early to mid-1950s). Everyone--remaining adult male employees, students and women--rallied to fill in gaps. With the shortage of manpower, greater priority was given to adopting mechanical means of harvesting, a challenging proposition due to the steep and uneven terrain and muddy conditions. Nevertheless, mechanical harvesting grew from 8% of total crop harvested in 1944 to 31% in 1949. The Wailea Milling company merged with the Hakalau Sugar Plantation in 1943. The all-time maximum production reached at 26,509 tons for the year in 1944. By this time, 40% of the cane was grown by over 300 independent or contract planters on individually or company-owned small plots...a complex scenario to manage. The April 1st 1946 Tsunami (referred to as a tidal wave in the annual reports) was disastrous for Hakalau, destroying the Hakalau Mill and some railroad bridges, leading to the demise of the railroad. Massive destruction at the mill site effectively shut down production for one year. Postwar labor strife compounded the problems faced by the plantation and set the tone for the following decade. The first industry-wide strike disrupted all operations at the Hakalau Plantation from September 1-November 19, 1946. More detail about the 1940s is available here.
Circa 1995-1996
It's obvious that this photo was taken after 1994 when the Sugar Industry on the Big Island ceased to exist. John Cross of the Olson Trust Archive provided the estimate of circa 1995-1996. Few structures remained, among them the Hakalau Jodo Mission, the theater/post office, the plantation manager's home, and the two concrete plantation warehouses.
Photo courtesy of Akiko Masuda
The chronology for the end of the plantation camps in the Hakalau is summarized in detail here. Details about the demise of the sugar industry are included in the timeline, especially in the detail for the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
Akiko Masuda arrived in Wailea in 1991 to witness the final stages of the demise of the sugar industry, the sell-off of sugar cane lands, and a major demographic shift as newcomers purchased these lands. She worried that the influx of newcomers would result in demolition of the village, displacement of old-timers and the proliferation of inappropriate mansions or "gentlemen's farms". In response, in 2002, she established the Wailea Village Historic Preservation Community, a 501(c)3 nonprofit trust with a volunteer board of directors. The goal is to preserve and renovate old structures, create affordable housing and employment opportunities, and sponsor events that keep the plantation culture alive.
Akiko Masuda arrived in Wailea in 1991 to witness the final stages of the demise of the sugar industry, the sell-off of sugar cane lands, and a major demographic shift as newcomers purchased these lands. She worried that the influx of newcomers would result in demolition of the village, displacement of old-timers and the proliferation of inappropriate mansions or "gentlemen's farms". In response, in 2002, she established the Wailea Village Historic Preservation Community, a 501(c)3 nonprofit trust with a volunteer board of directors. The goal is to preserve and renovate old structures, create affordable housing and employment opportunities, and sponsor events that keep the plantation culture alive.
2023
Google Earth, January 7, 2023
Hakalau Kuleana residents during the first decade of the 21st Century experienced active community engagement and witnessed the sell-off of former sugar cane lands. The aging C. Brewer investors wanted to cash out their investments with the result that choice land in the Hakalau Kuleana hit the market in 2001-2002. With this change in land ownership, new tensions arose between long-time residents and new residents related to issues like beach access, and between developers and residents regarding the type of development appropriate for the physical, cultural and historical environments of the area. The creation of the Wailea Village Historic Village Preservation Community, a 501-c-3 organization, represented a concerted effort to preserve history and pursue development in a respectful manner. The residents in the Wailea/Hakalau area distilled their vision for the future. Subsequently, a nine-year effort began to create the Hāmākua Community Development Plan.Throughout the decade community activities continued, geared towards honoring the ancestors and the area's history. Art, entertainment and entrepreneurship enhanced these activities, creating events enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
A new subdivision, Hakalau Plantation Village was created in 2004 and new homes were built beginning in 2006 in what had been Hakalau Up Camp. The only remaining Up Camp structures are the Hakalau Jodo Mission and its parsonage and the [former] Plantation Manager's Mansion. Today, houses have been built on 19 of the 22 lots (the Google Earth 2023 photo does not show one home that has recently been completed).
For the former Down Camp, the Theater/Post Office still exists, though now serves as a dwelling. With the exception of the two commercial lots next to the former Theater/Post Office, the properties in this area are primarily zoned residential.
In the Mill complex, only the concrete warehouses still exist on what is now referred to as Hakalau Point. The Mill, down by the Bay, no longer exists. The Hakalau Bay became Hakalau Beach Park, which has been closed for several years due to lead contamination. Plans are underway to correct this situation in conjunction with work on the Hakalau Stream Bridge (Highway 19 crossing Hakalau Gulch) including foundation replacement, replacement or rehabilitation of columns and trusses, deck rehabilitation, and painting. Construction is anticipated to begin mid-2025 and is expected to take several years to complete.
A new subdivision, Hakalau Plantation Village was created in 2004 and new homes were built beginning in 2006 in what had been Hakalau Up Camp. The only remaining Up Camp structures are the Hakalau Jodo Mission and its parsonage and the [former] Plantation Manager's Mansion. Today, houses have been built on 19 of the 22 lots (the Google Earth 2023 photo does not show one home that has recently been completed).
For the former Down Camp, the Theater/Post Office still exists, though now serves as a dwelling. With the exception of the two commercial lots next to the former Theater/Post Office, the properties in this area are primarily zoned residential.
In the Mill complex, only the concrete warehouses still exist on what is now referred to as Hakalau Point. The Mill, down by the Bay, no longer exists. The Hakalau Bay became Hakalau Beach Park, which has been closed for several years due to lead contamination. Plans are underway to correct this situation in conjunction with work on the Hakalau Stream Bridge (Highway 19 crossing Hakalau Gulch) including foundation replacement, replacement or rehabilitation of columns and trusses, deck rehabilitation, and painting. Construction is anticipated to begin mid-2025 and is expected to take several years to complete.
Hakalau: Then and Now is till under construction!
Content for Hakalau: Then and Now will grow as we expand our information...maps, photos, and oral histories. Currently, the only aerial photos over time that we show Hakalau Up Camp, Down Camp and the Mill Complex. We are searching for aerial shots over time of other areas within the Hakalau Kuleana, i.e., all the camps and Wailea. Please contact us if you are aware of such photos.
Historian Heather Fryer, Ph.D., is capturing oral histories of former Hakalau residents. Her work will greatly expand our understanding of the period before, during, and after the collapse of the sugar industry. We look forward to including these oral histories on hakalauhome.com!
Historian Heather Fryer, Ph.D., is capturing oral histories of former Hakalau residents. Her work will greatly expand our understanding of the period before, during, and after the collapse of the sugar industry. We look forward to including these oral histories on hakalauhome.com!
CHECK OFTEN FOR UPDATES!