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Dr. Richard Kelley

Credit: Wikipedia

Hawai‘i’s last sugar plantationBY DR. RICHARD KELLEY

For over a century, growing sugar cane and pineapple for export was the engine of Hawai‘i’s economy. Thus, the announcement 10 days ago that Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company (HC&S), the state’s last sugar cane plantation – with 36,000 acres in central Maui – will harvest and mill its last crop and cease operations this year is a historic milestone. That announcement brought forth a flood of personal memories of the days when I was a young man in the Territory of Hawai‘i, and commercial agriculture shaped the economy and culture of the Islands. There is evidence that Hawai‘i’s early Polynesian settlers brought several varieties of sugar cane (kō in Hawaiian) to the Islands and cultivated it for domestic use. Commercial cultivation began in 1835 with the establishment of a plantation in Kōloa on the island of Kaua‘i. After the 1850 Masters and Servants Act allowed

JANUARY 16, 2016

A MESSAGE FROM RICHARD R. KELLEY TO OUR OUTRIGGER ‘OHANA

Sony Open Caddie Reception: Bitsy Kelley, David Carey, Sean Dee and Justin George (Sony Open)

Sony Open >> 8

Outrigger sponsors Sony Open in Hawaii®

BY KATHY HANSBERRY AND GLAIZA DE GRACIA

As a sponsor of the Sony Open in Hawaii®, Outrigger hosted two exclusive events, a Caddie Welcome Reception at Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber and the ProAm Mini Putt Challenge at Waikiki Beach Walk®. On Jan. 11, Outrigger and Waikiki Beach Walk® welcomed the hardworking Sony Open caddies and hosted the third annual Sony Open Caddie Reception. Caddies and some pro golfers enjoyed pupu and drinks while watching the college football championship game. Also in conjunction with the Sony Open, the star-studded 3rd annual Outrigger Mini Putt Challenge, with notable professional golfers Francesco Molinari, Chad Campbell, Jon Curran and Mark Wilson, took place on the lawn at Waikiki Beach Walk® on Jan. 13. Outrigger was proudly represented by Bruce Schneider, Charlene Goo, Conchita Malaqui, Ed Case, Jasmine Dempsey, Nancy Daniels, Robert Ishihara, Jordan Joanou, Neil Murakami, Stephanie Nojima, Tom Wakita and Ruthann Yamanaka. They

Sugar plantation >> 10

Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company Mill

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US

CALENDAR OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS CELEBRATED WORLDWIDE

Sat., Jan. 23 8:30 a.m., 2nd Annual ESPN1420 Jersey Fun Run, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI. Visit: http://goo.gl/MgDVx6.

Sun., Jan. 24 5 p.m., Nā Mele No Nā Pua Sunday Showcase featuring Natalie Ai Kamauu, Waikiki Beach Walk®, Waikīkī, Honolulu, HI. Visit: www.waikikibeachwalk.com.

Sun., Jan. 24-31 9 a.m., Tennis Championships of Maui Royal Lahaina Tennis Ranch & Resort, Ka‘anapali, Maui. Visit: http://goo.gl/YDpzId.

If you are interested in a position listed below and meet the qualifications, please go to Outrigger.com and click on Employment at the bottom of the page. We only accept online applications for the open positions from internal candidates. If you have any questions, please contact your HR Business Unit Representative. Application deadline for the following positions is Jan. 22, 2016.

Guest Services Representative (full-time and on-call)A minimum of one year customer service and cash handling experience, preferably in the hospitality industry required. Must have basic computer skills and ability to type 40 wpm. Must also be a team player with excellent communication skills and ability to work any day and shift.

Steward (part-time)Transport and clean cooking utensils and serviceware in order to provide cooks, bus persons and food servers with appropriate equipment for guests’ dining experience. Also, requires cleaning of physical surroundings. Prior hospitality experience preferred. Must be able to work any day and shift.

Food Runner (on-call)Responsible for the set-up of hot buffet and replenishment of food during buffet service. May also be responsible for set-up, breakdown and clean-up for manager’s reception. Must be able to transport large trays weighing up to 50 lbs and must be able to work any day and shift.

Waithelp (on-call)Responsible for the service of beverages and food in a timely manner, resulting in guest satisfaction. Service to include but not limited to restaurant, bar, pool area and room service. Must have a friendly, positive and service-oriented attitude and be able to work any day and shift.

Employment opportunities

JAN 18: Nirmah Bhicka, Elna S. Budiao, Zhaohui Chen, Onrawan Kanpet, Josateki Kurivitu, Ruth Likiaksa, Vincent X. Lin, Karen C.G. Mashiba, Marisa Phetrat, Ateca Rokoloma, Mitthiphong Silalit, Ursula A. Supnet, Koini S. Temo and Barry L. Wallace.

JAN 19: Gijo Kannampuzha Augustine, Jeongeun Choi, Rosie Eram, Shari M. Fujita, Mary Evelyn A. Garcia, Mohammed Nazir Khan, Savenaca Loa, Saini Naibe, Nattapon Nakorn, Mohamed Nizam, Nanchanok Nopparit, Mary-Jean Palafox, Anita Shrestha, Yoojin Sim, Aporosa Tabulawaki and Etonia Tiko.

JAN 20: Giovanni Ah-Sam, Joseva Are, Virgilio Dungalen, Jetsada Kongtong, Shu Qin Lei, Glenn T. Nagasako, Franky T.B. Poei, Ravipa Tavisuwan and Brandon K. Vasconcellos.

JAN 21: Dustin M. Chen, Donna C. Ferreira, Kendra K. Inoue, Valami Matia and Analiza C. Pascua.

JAN 22: Dev Buleeram, Eakachai Chaiyoung, Deborah J. Hall, Stefanie M. Nix and Thanapoom Sripan.

JAN 23: Epifania G. Ganir, Devsing Gaungoo, Chamdanee Jeebun, Waisele Kurikoro, My Le Thi Pham, Yeu Hing L. Shiu and Carmen Wu.

JAN 24: Ahmed Zafar Abdulla, Joshua M. Haddadi, Lovena Laldeosingh, Bruno Orozco Martinez, Paul Ramirez, Chananporn Saiyoi and Ni Putu Yeni Susanti.

Saturday Briefing is published by and for

hosts of Outrigger Enterprises Group (OEG)

Editor-In-Chief: RICHARD KELLEY Senior Editor: KATHY FOLEY

Supervising Editor: PILA HANSON Contributors: OEG HOSTS

Visit us online at: www.saturdaybriefing.outrigger.com

Submissions to Kathy Foley at kathysb@outrigger.com.

© 2016 Outrigger Hotels Hawaii An Equal Opportunity Employer

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Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and VillasHosts and birthdays recognized and celebrated

BY SUKANYA SOMPHAN

General Manager Khun Marc Landgraf, Host of the Month Khun Patcharee Wannavas and Restaurant Manager Khun Thammarat Sena

Khun Marc Landgraf, Host of the Month Khun Supphachai Kaewjamras, and Chief Engineer Khun Phi Pillai

Khun Marc Landgraf, Supervisor of the Quarter Khun Boonlarp Prayooncharoen and Khun Phi Pillai

Photos right middle and bottom: Hosts celebrating one another

On Jan. 6, Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas hosts gathered to recognize Hosts of the Month for December, Supervisor of the Quarter and birthdays in the

month. Congratulations to our honorees Khun Patcharee (Khun Pat), Khun Supphachai (Khun Bao) and Khun Boonlarp (Khun May).

FRONT OF HOUSE HOST OF THE MONTH

Working in food and beverage, Khun Patcharee (Khun Pat) is very responsible and follows assigned tasks well. She helps her colleagues and is able to work in the restaurant as well as Villas dining attendant.

BACK OF HOUSE HOST OF THE MONTH

Technician Khun Supphachai (Khun Bao) has a positive attitude and is very supportive to the organization and team. He is very hard working and responsible.

SUPERVISOR OF THE QUARTERKhun Boonlarp (Khun May) can be counted on when given any assignment by the chief engineer. As engineer supervisor he is able to manage and delegate to his team well and is a good team leader.

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UH captures its seventh Outrigger Resorts Invitational titleBY GLAIZA DE GRACIA

Ken and Napua Ho, Kathy Toyama, Daniel Calpo, Jo-Ann Yonamine, Gay Shinbara, Dylan Nojima, Stephanie Nojima and Ronnie Barrit

Tom Wakita, Aitogi Totemese, Kathy Toyama, Daniel Calpo, Lisa Asukura, Ricol Akana-Phillips, Lianne Bryant, Ellie Agustin, Louise Nawatani,

Kathy Hansberry, Kyle and Eric Vidal, Glaiza de Gracia and Ronnie Barrit

Danny and Stacy Wang, Scott Sato, Ronnie Barrit, Ashelley Ijima, David Carey, Kathy Hansberry, Malu Sato, Aitogi Totemese, Lorry Ijima-Sato, Daniel Calpo, Davin Kawakami, Dan and

Nancy Daniels, Kathy Toyama and Kathy Carey

David Carey (center in blue) with the UH Rainbow Warrior champs!

The 22nd Outrigger Resorts Invitational kicked off the season for the University of Hawai‘i’s men’s volleyball team on January 7, 8 and 10, 2016, at the Stan Sherriff Center. The UH Warriors hosted a three-day tournament with teams from Lewis, Harvard and King University (Tenn.) Considered one of the most prestigious early season tournaments in the country, the Invitational brought thousands of fans into the arena ready to watch the action. Lewis took the first win of the tourney against Harvard while Hawai‘i followed with the second win of the night against King University in a three-set win. The Rainbow Warriors (3-0) did not drop a set in the three-day tourney with wins over King University, Harvard and defending national runner-up Flyers (3-1). Most Outstanding Player Stijn van Tilburg led the way for the Rainbow Warriors posting 47 kills (5.22 avg.) over the weekend.

As title sponsor, Outrigger Resorts enhanced the game experience with door giveaways and in-game promotions. #teamOutrigger rallied fans to sign up for the halftime Hukilau promo game and keiki tattoos served as a fun treat for young fans. Mahalo to our CEO David Carey who presented UH with the championship trophy and to our #teamOutrigger volunteers who helped make this tournament a success: Aitogi Totemese, Ashelley Ijima, Celina Tong, Daniel Calpo, Danny Wang, Davin Kawakami, Dylan Nojima, Ellie Agustin, Eric Vidal, Gay Shinbara, Jo-Ann Yonamine, Kathy Hansberry, Kathy Toyama, Ken Ho, Kyle Vidal, Lianne Bryant, Lisa Asakura, Lorry Ijima Sato, Louise Nawatani, Napua Ho, Ricol Akana-Phillips, Ronne Barit, Scott Sato, Stacy Wang, Stephanie Nojima, Tawnie Kawakami and Victor Tong. GO ‘BOWS!

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Outrigger extends hand to Fiji kidsBY DONNA PARKIN

Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort has partnered with Fiji Kids for the fourth year to assist disadvantaged children in the Nadroga Navosa province. More than 100 students received school stationery and associated support materials for the 2016 school year at a presentation held at the St. Joan of Arc School in Sigatoka. A non-governmental organisation founded in 2010, Fiji Kids enables overseas families to sponsor a Fijian child for the duration of their education. Outrigger’s role on the day was to provide catering, entertainment and activities while sponsors spent time with their sponsored children. General Manager Peter Hopgood said that the resort played just a small role but was delighted to be involved with a program. “This is our resort’s first community project for the year and is one of the best initiatives to help the children from the districts poorer families. The Fiji Kids mission to support

disadvantaged young children through their overseas sponsors enables them to have the same opportunities, careers and fulfillment as Western children. It’s also extremely rewarding for the sponsors.”

Outrigger Fiji and Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resorts honored at 2016 Travvy Awards

BY NANCY DANIELS

The famed Gotham Hall in New York City served as venue for the Academy Awards of the travel industry, the 2016 Travvy Awards Gala on Jan. 6. More than 150 Gold Award winners were announced among the 500 honorees at what has rapidly become the biggest night of the year for travel professionals. The 2016 Travvy Awards, presented by travAlliancemedia, recognize the highest standards of excellence in the industry today honoring travel companies, products, agencies, executives, agents and destinations for outstanding achievement.

All entries underwent a comprehensive three-step process ensuring the best of the best were accredited for their achievements. Outrigger Hotels and Resorts was honored with two gold awards: Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and Laguna Phuket Beach Resort were voted Best Family Hotel/Resort in the Asia and Australia categories and Outrigger was recognized and received a bronze accolade in the Best Hawaiian Cultural Hotel category. These “Academy” recognitions further solidify Outrigger as a premier beachfront resorts brand.

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Children’s DayOutrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort

BY JAKKRIN (BANKE) MONGKOLNAKIN

In Thailand, we celebrate National Children’s Day or “Wan Dek,” held on the second Saturday in January. Children’s Day is an important opportunity for families to educate their children on their role in Thailand’s future. The Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort (TLR) team helped to celebrate the 24th National Children’s Day at Canal Village with our own TLR booth. Our sports and recreation team had fun hosting the Coconut Bowling game where each child was a winner, while our engineering, food and beverage host and human resources training teams served delicious Thai-style ice cream to each and every child, including those “young at heart”—not an easy feat considering the large turnout. This day also allows us, as adults, to reminisce of our happy and carefree childhoods growing up in Thailand and to ensure that the Children’s Day experience for our children is a memorable one, inspiring them to be their best.

Host announcement

BY BARRY WALLACE

I am pleased to join human resources in welcoming Shaun Murphy as director of human resources at the Outrigger Guam Beach Resort, reporting to General Manager Steve Solberg, effective Jan. 13. Shaun succeeds

Angelica Loughlin who retired from Outrigger this past week after nine years of dedicated and loyal service. She and her team were instrumental in instilling the Outrigger brand promise of Local Culture Meets World-Class Hospitality. Shaun has over 10 years of experience in the field of human resources and training. He began his career in the hospitality industry as training manager at the Westin Guam Resort. Subsequently, he moved to Sheraton Maui Resort as human resources manager; Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Waikīkī as director of training; and Westin Princeton Ocean Resort Villas – Starwood Hotels & Resorts on Kaua‘i, as director of human resources. He returned to Guam in 2011 and comes to us from Citibank where he was human resources head/vice president. Shaun is currently vice president of programs for SHRM-Guam (Society of Human Resources Management), events committee chair for the American Cancer Society – Relay for Life and an adjunct professor for business administration at the University of Guam. Shaun holds a Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration in international tourism from the University of Guam. He is the proud father of 18-year-old Kayana-Rose (Kaya) currently attending the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa pursuing a degree in marketing. Shaun enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, working out and running. Please extend a warm Hafa Adai (hello) to Shaun as we welcome him to the Outrigger familia (family), and a fond Aloha and Mahalo to Angelica for her many contributions to Outrigger and for a healthy and exciting retirement!

Shaun Murphy

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Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort BY RORY CAMPBELL

To coincide with Thailand’s National Children’s Day, the Outrigger Koh Samui team launched their Community Social Responsibility (CSR) partnership with the Watkeereewongkaram School in Koh Samui.The day included a presentation of new school uniforms for some of the more needy students as well as small gifts for the remaining students to celebrate the day. While the students were involved in a series of sports activities and games, the Outrigger team prepared lunch with pizza making, and eating, a clear highlight. Later in the afternoon, the resort team took on the kids in more activities and despite their best efforts, were soundly beaten—we may need to work on a new fitness program! The partnership with the school will continue throughout the year with Outrigger providing assistance with infrastructure improvements, maintenance programs, the supply of additional resources by way of books and equipment as well as staff to help coordinate many on-site and off-site development programs. If the enthusiasm of the kickoff event is any indication, it will be a mutually rewarding year for the students and staff at Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort.

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Above: Rory Campbell presents gifts to the children of Watkeereewongkaram School

Photos right top to bottom:- Pizza making and eating!

- Engaging activities- Presentation of school uniforms

- A partnership

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Sony Open ... << From 1

Shilla Lee, Robert Ishihara, Jasmine Dempsey, Stephanie Nojima and Neil Murakami

John Foy, Charlene Goo, Carina Tagupa, pro golfer Chad Campbell and Heather Doeringer

Tim Dayton, Kyle Vidal, Jordan Joanou, Conchita Malaqui and Tom Wakita

Group selfie: Brent Shiratori, Taizo Braden pro golfer Jon Curran, Nancy Daniels and Jonah Kroegan

Glaiza de Gracia, Gary Pacarro, Brandi Higa, pro golfer Francesco Molinari and Ed Case

Ronn Miyashiro, Bruce Schneider, pro golfer Mark Wilson, Sheryl Matsuoka and Gay Shinbara

were joined by VIP partners John Foy (Enterprise Rent A Car), Carina Tagupa, (Chevron Hawaii), Gary Pacarro (Pacific University Oregon), Taizo Braden (KHON2), Brandi Higa (KITV), Tim Dayton (GEICO), Ronn Miyashiro (UH Golf), Sheryl Matsuoka (HEA) and Jonah Kroegan (Hillside Realty). Congratulations to this year’s winning team: Ed Case, Brandi Higa, Gary Pacarro and pro golfer Francesco Molinari who each took home an Outrigger paddle-shaped cutting board.

Mahalo to event emcee Mark Berwick (Sony Open) for enhancing the event. And as always to the following hosts for being a part of #teamOutrigger and volunteering their time: Glaiza de Gracia, Heather Doeringer, Kathy Hansberry, Shilla Lee, Gay Shinbara, Brent Shiratori, Kyle Vidal and Sun Wong. A special mahalo to Reuben Nakagawa and Arnold Agustin for setting up the nine-hole mini golf course and to Russ Sumida from Adstreamz for providing sound and photography services.

More Sony Open photos >> 9

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Winning Team: Brandi Higa, pro golfer Francesco Molinari, Ed Case and Gary Pacarro

#teamOutrigger: Glaiza de Gracia, Brent Shiratori, Kyle Vidal, Heather Doeringer, Sun Wong, Kathy Hansberry, Conchita Malaqui and Shilla Lee

Sony Open ... << From 8

Visit: https://goo.gl/7eqCyX for more photosCANDIDS!

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Chinese contract laborers on a sugar plantation in 19th century Hawaii

Cred

it: W

ikip

edia

the importation of foreign laborers under strict contractual rules, more plantations were opened. Most workers were brought in from Japan, China, Korea and the Philippines. This gave birth to the distinctive multicultural, multiethnic tapestry – and the lingua franca, Pidgin, or Hawaiian Creole, that enabled people to communicate across ethnic lines – that continues to characterize Hawai‘i today and differentiates it from most other tropical destinations.

During the American Civil War, when sugar from the South was no longer available in the North, its price jumped 525 percent, from 4 to 25 cents a pound. This triggered the establishment of new plantations in Hawai‘i and the expansion of older ones.

I was born in 1933 and thus experienced four decades when plantations dominated the Islands’ economy and defined “local” culture. In those days, sugar cane was still generally planted, and often harvested, by hand. The “Big Five” plantation companies provided

housing, shopping and health care for their workers in company-owned villages, stores and medical facilities. Plantation stores carried a distinctive, tough checkered cotton cloth called palaka, which could be made either into work clothes or casual attire. Even today, old timers are proud to wear palaka shirts as a badge of honor and reminder of plantation days (https://hawaiipalaka.wordpress.com). The physicians who worked in the plantation medical clinics would often go into town on their days off to provide coverage for other doctors. When my mother, Estelle Kelley,

HEALTHCARE HAWAII STYLE

Kohala Hospital, Kapaau, Hawaii. Opened in 1917 as a 14 bed facility “in charge of” an Australian nurse. Hospitalization rate was $1.50

a day. The building was replaced in 1962.

The “Big Five” plantation companies

went into labor in late December 1933, a young plantation doctor named Garton Wall was there to deliver me at Kapi‘olani Hospital in Honolulu. The practice of medicine on the plantations is a story in itself. Because the plantation clinics were generally miles from the nearest city hospital, plantation physicians had to do everything from setting bones to delivering babies and putting people back together after accidents with machinery and cars. Essentially they were on their own and it was literally do or die.

A glimpse into what plantation physicians endured during those years can be seen in a 2007 book by Frank L. Tabrah, M.D., Healthcare Hawaii Style. Copies can be found on Amazon and other Internet booksellers. You can also read a good selection of its pages free of charge on Google Books (http://tinyurl.com/PlantationPhysician).

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Another plantation memory I have is that of the manager’s residence at Oahu Sugar Company’s (OSCO) Waipahu plantation. The manager, Hans L’Orange, had a son, Peter, who was a classmate of mine. On occasion, I was invited to spend the weekend at their home, which was a beautiful mansion on a

hillside at the end of a drive lined with stunning Royal Palms (Roystonea regia). Peter’s parents loved throwing parties at their home. As Hans was a great supporter of the U.S. Navy, they often invited Navy officers to these events. In a collection of memories of Oahu Sugar Company by Jack Vorfeld, I found one OSCO executive recalling how he met Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, the legendary World War II head of the U.S. Pacific Command (CINCPAC) at the L’Orange home (www.judyvorfeld.com/oahusugarcompany-2.html). Around 1949, when I was 15, Peter invited me and several other classmates to help park guest automobiles for a particularly large party. It was a gala evening with vehicles of many kinds, and I am happy to report we did not scratch a single fender. One of the things I particularly liked about the OSCO manager’s residence was the swimming pool. In those days, residential swimming pools were few and far between. I think it was Hans L’Orange who tapped into one of the irrigation ditches that brought water from the mountains to the sugar cane fields of the generally arid leeward side of the island. The water was temporarily diverted into a hole in the ground. Swimming in that makeshift pool was a real treat for me and many other kids, although I recall that the water, fresh from the ditch, was a bit on the cool side. While water is essential for every crop, sugar cane is especially thirsty. It has been said that to produce a pound of refined sugar, it takes up to 500 gallons of water. Throughout Hawai‘i, water was brought to the field in a variety of ways including ditches, pipes and wells that tapped into aquifers. One of the most ambitious water projects was in the rainy Hāmākua area on the northeastern side of the Big Island of Hawai‘i. For eons, heavy rains had fallen on the area’s steep cliffs, and the water flowed right into the sea. Following the successful construction of a ditch on Maui (actually the first of four parallel ditches that harvested runoff from the rainy northeastern slopes of that island and fed it to the sunny, but drier central-valley fields of HC&S, the plantation that will soon shut down), the Hāmākua-area plantations agreed to work together to

Hans L’Orange

create the Kohala Ditch along the coast to divert some of that abundant water to their fields. It was an extremely tough job. No power tools were available so everything had to be done by hand. During construction, 17 workers died from various causes. Many mules also died when they fell off the steep cliffs, many of them over 1,000 feet high. According to one report, even the sturdiest of workers were so exhausted after a few weeks of labor that they required hospitalization. To add to the difficulty, it rained nearly every day from April through July in 1905, right in the middle of the 15 months allotted to build the ditch. The entire Kohala Ditch was 26 miles long, though the term “ditch” makes the project seem much simpler than it was. Through the mountains, the ditch consisted mainly of tunnels cut into the rock and flumes lined with hand-cut stone blocks and, in many stretches, borne on trestles that carried the channel high across the many gulches along the route. The entire ditch had to conform to a uniform, gradual slope. There were 57 tunnels in all, the longest of which was 2,500 feet, nearly half a mile (about 750 meters – http://keolamagazine.com/kom/then-now/the-kohala-ditch). Once it was completed, keeping the water flowing at the right speed and the flumes free of obstruction from falling rocks, trees, etc. for 26 miles was a full-time job for several people. A tiny pathway had been built next to the ditch and the maintenance people would ride mules as they inspected the flumes and tunnels and did whatever it took to keep the water flowing. The trip to inspect and service the ditch took two to three days, so the plantation installed a small wood-frame cabin in an open valley where workers could spend the night. One of the most memorable adventures of my youth was to accompany one of the maintenance workers for

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Inside view of the Kohala Ditch. Visible in the middle of the photo is one of the many points where the ditch transitions into a metal channel

(trough) that is supported by a trestle (not visible in the picture), which carries it across a gulch to the next hillside (background).

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Sugar plantation ... << From 11

two days on the Kohala Ditch Trail. We rode mules on extremely narrow paths along those sheer cliffs for hours on end. To get past waterfalls, we often had to go behind them and thus wore waterproof parkas most of the time. We stayed in the cabin overnight and returned to the town of Hawi, at the tip of the island’s northernmost peninsula, the next day. The gentleman who accompanied me was Bill Sproat, well-known in the Hāmākua district. Bill’s father, Jacob William Sproat, was from Missouri and had been heading for Tahiti when the vessel he was traveling on ran aground on the Big Island. He secured a job with Kohala Sugar as superintendent of the Kohala Ditch maintenance team. Since Jacob was from Missouri where mules were heavily relied on as work animals, he did most of his work with their help. His job and the mules were passed on to my guide, Bill, and then to one of Bill’s sons who kept up the family tradition until Kohala Sugar folded in 1975. One of Bill’s other sons, Buzzy, took his mule heritage to the island of Moloka‘i, where he provided mule rides

down the 2,000 feet of steep cliffs to Kalaupapa, the isolated (by cliffs and sea) peninsula on the island’s north coast where people with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) were once quarantined. As reported by Honolulu Civil Beat, everyone loved Buzzy. In typical Hawai‘i plantation style, he didn’t care if you were famous, infamous, a politician, kama‘aina (longtime resident), malihini (newcomer), or just visiting for a few days. He treated everybody the same with dignity, respect and fun. Sadly, Buzzy passed away in 2014.

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Small world time: A member of the Outrigger ‘ohana, Matt Sproat, who worked with us at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach for several years before his music career took off, is a member of the Hāmākua Sproat family.

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One of the many causes for the decline of plantation agriculture in Hawai‘i is that land became more valuable for other purposes, such as housing, shopping centers, airports and, of course, hotels, condos and other visitor accommodations.

Another vivid memory I have in connection with the end of the era of large-scale agriculture in Hawai‘i, came to me one day while I was walking past a cane field at Ka‘anapali, on Maui’s western shore, shortly before the first high-rise hotels were built there. The last crop had been harvested and there was only bare dirt with a few weeds and some sections of track that had once brought rail cars into the fields to take sugar cane to the mill. I remember the feelings I had of both wonder and concern, as I knew that the field where I was standing would soon be replaced by hotel construction or, perhaps, condos, housing, tennis courts, parking lots, etc.

My experience in Hawai‘i makes me wonder what will happen in other areas whose economies were based on agriculture but have shifted to other activities over time. Most of the islands in the Caribbean are examples of where this has happened, or is happening, as it has in Hawai‘i. In both Fiji and Mauritius, where Outrigger has properties, there are still broad areas devoted to agriculture – in fact to sugar cane. This is gradually changing, much as it has in Hawai‘i.

The country with the world’s largest sugar cane production currently is Brazil, and as human populations grow, I feel sure there will be pressure to put at least some of this land to other uses.

California is another example of the conflict between agriculture and other potential uses of land and water. There are no quick and easy answers, and I am sure we will be hearing more about these issues in years to come.

Nonetheless, as the closure of HC&S brings Hawai‘i’s plantation era to an end, the memories and cultural echoes of that time live on, and I hope they will continue to reverberate well into the future. Agriculture is an essential part of the heritage that makes Hawai‘i such a special place. Thanks for accompanying me on this very personal journey.

A spectacular waterfall and the narrow Kohala trail (right). If you look closely, you can see two hikers just past the waterfall at right.