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2007 marks the twenty-third year for Koloa
Plantation Days, a celebration of Hawaii's sugar industry and
heritage. Koloa plantation was founded in 1835,
In 1985, as part of the celebration
of sugar's sesquicentennial (150 years), a luau and a few other events
were held in Koloa. Phyllis Kunimura, a Koloa community leader and
wife of Mayor Tony Kunimura, heard many people remarking that they
really enjoyed getting together at the luau. The next year, Phyllis
and Mayor Kunimura, Almost every year since then,
Phyllis and a core group of dedicated volunteers have nurtured and
organized Koloa Plantation Days, insuring that the events are
family-oriented, fun and reflective of the plantation lifestyle that
no longer exists. Annually, the committee selects themes, such as
education, family reunions, A highlight of the parade and town
celebration for many years was to have "Paulo", a steam
locomotive displayed by Grove Farm Homestead, brought to Koloa and
fired up to blow its whistle -- a sound that echoed through the
islands when cane was hauled by trains to the mills. Displays of field
equipment, clothing, lamps Now that visitors and related
businesses are the livelihood of Koloa and other former plantation
towns throughout Hawaii, Koloa Plantation Days offers events that
entertain and that also educate participants about old Hawaii and the
plantation days. Hawaiian games, historic videos, guided walks,
cooking demonstrations, and historic displays throughout Koloa are a
few of these entertaining and enlightening opportunities to get
families involved in Koloa's |
the first in the
islands. The birth of the sugar industry shaped the lives of everyone
in Hawaii forever. Although the mill and fields are idle in Koloa and
virtually all of the state, many people in Hawaii are former workers
or descendants of plantation workers who came from many lands. Koloa
Plantation Days brings people to Koloa and Poipu on Kauai's south
shore to celebrate aspects of the plantation lifestyle that we are
still connected to.
asked the organizers of the 1985 events if they
were willing to host similar gatherings again. They were willing, and
a successful celebration came together.
health care, foods and cooking, and music,
that were important facets of plantation life. The parade units and
other events do their best to express those themes.
and other items of everyday camp life,
photos, and other artifacts are often assembled.
heritage.