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.
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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
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