Paauhau Camp: Land of Sunshine

09/12/2026

This was Dad’s life and many of the other plantation fathers and grandfather’s in the Hamakua area.
Ultimately dad took part in all aspects of harvesting.
Explicitly, I remember him being a crane operator and a truck driver. I know he also took care of the yards at some point as when he was younger and even younger still he was a part of the road gang.
All for Paauhau Sugar Mill

Working in the harvesting department of the sugar plantation was just one of the many responsibilities that employees in that department undertook. Many also contributed to essential tasks like planting and irrigation. During the off-season, they often found themselves working in jobs like welding and carpentry.

A typical shift in the field required teamwork, with sixteen truck drivers, three rake operators, three loader operators, and three workers managing small tractors to clean up stray cane, plus one utility person to keep everything running smoothly.

During the evenings, the cane fields were brightly lit by floodlights on the equipment. The night harvesting system kept the mill going 24 hours a day, producing electricity that was generated with bagasse.

Photo by: Paul Christensen Collection/University of Hawaiʻi

09/08/2026

There was such a huge sense of community back in the day where everyone knew everyone and the businesses were owned/operated by the people who lived in the area.
The perfect combination.

Did you know that in the 1930s, Anton Teves operated a shuttle bus service between Honokaʻa and the Hawaiʻi Consolidated Railway station in Paʻauilo? The bus, which could hold up to 30 passengers, made stops along Māmane Street to pick up travelers from nearby areas like Pāʻauhau, Haina, Āhuloa, and Kukuihaele.

When not in use, the shuttle bus was stored in a garage near where the Salvation Army stands today. It was an essential part of local transportation, connecting people to the railway so that they could travel to Hilo and back.

Photo by: NHCF Credit Union

09/07/2026

The house where I grew up in is in this video from 2014… maybe yours is too

Nothing fancy. Watch it if you miss driving through Pa'auhau, Honoka'a, and Kukuihaele / Waipio Valley Lookout on the Big island of Hawaii. Shot on GoPro Jan...

09/03/2026

Did you know that Kualoa Ranch & Hamakua Sugar Company share more than just a deep history? Besides both having deep ties to shaping the local culture and agricultural development, they share an interesting family connection.

In 1850, Dr. Gerrit P. Judd, a prominent physician and advisor to King Kamehameha III, purchased 622 acres of land in Kualoa for $1,300. Over the next 20 years, he expanded his holdings to a total of 4,000 acres, which became known as Kualoa Ranch.

Francis Morgan, a 5th-generation descendant of Dr. Judd, grew up on the ranch and later took on the stewardship of the family's agricultural legacy. In 1984, Francis purchased the Davies Hamakua Sugar Company, renaming it the Hamakua Sugar Company, Inc.

Today, both Kualoa Ranch and Hamakua Sugar Company are a part of the Morgan family legacy. Francis's son, John Morgan, is now the owner and president of the renowned Kualoa Ranch, which continues to be a hub for agriculture, tourism, and conservation on Oʻahu.

These two iconic businesses highlight the lasting impact of one family’s dedication to shaping Hawaii’s agricultural, cultural, and economic landscapes.

Photo by: Kualoa Ranch Website

08/29/2026

Sad news, but I thought I’d share for any of you who knew him

We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of William “Yama” Kaholoaʻa.

We had the honor of welcoming Yama to our Center in 2023, when he was in town for the world premiere of the film " Echoes of Waipiʻo Valley Taro Farmers." Alongside filmmaker H. Clive Richards, Yama helped bring this important story to the big screen, shedding light on the lives of taro farmers, the importance of protecting their ʻāina, and the enduring tradition of farming in Waipiʻo Valley.

Yama was part of one of Waipiʻo Valley’s most influential families. His mother, Ruth Makaila Nakagawa Kaholoaʻa, was the beloved subject of the award-winning documentary "Happy Birthday, Tutu Ruth," which continues to air on PBS from time to time.

We will miss you, Yama. Mahalo for your leadership, devotion, and commitment to ensuring that the history, culture, and traditions of Waipiʻo Valley are preserved and passed on to future generations.

Your work and your aloha will be remembered and celebrated. 🙏

08/25/2026

We are the children of generations pass, left their homeland in search of a better life for all of us, and I will forever be grateful 

Today we’re taking a look back at a fascinating piece of Hāmākua’s sugar history.

This fact-filled photo was taken of a display at a Hāmākua Fair that features statistics from 1949 for the four Hāmākua plantations: Honokaʻa, Pāʻauhau, Kaiwiki, and Hāmākua.

The display gives a remarkable snapshot of the industry at the time, including the number of employees, tons of sugar produced, income generated, taxes paid, and much more. It’s fascinating to see just how much cane was produced and to consider everything it took to operate these plantations.

Sugar was king in Hāmākua, and the industry played a tremendous role in shaping the communities, economy, and way of life back then. Take a look at the numbers and imagine what Hāmākua was like in 1949. What a piece of history!

Photo: Paul Christensen Collection / University of Hawaiʻi

08/23/2026

One of the key reasons so many sugar plantations started along the upper Hāmākua Coast was its strategic location, providing easy access to the sea.

Honokaʻa Landing, in particular, was the perfect spot. Its plantation roads and tram railway made it easy to transport sugar, molasses, and supplies directly to the ships. It became a major hub for molasses exports, fuel imports, and also served merchants who received their goods via the same ships.

08/22/2026

WE’RE ONLY 26 FOLLOWERS AWAY FROM 5,000!
Help us get there!
When the Honokaʻa Heritage Center hits 5,000 followers, we’ll randomly select one of our followers to receive a $50 gift certificate to our gift shop! We have T-shirts, totes, books and more!
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26 to go! Who’s going to get us there?

08/21/2026

Did you grow up in any of these places?