Lāna‘i’s Failed Sugar Venture at Keomuku – History of Lāna‘i Hawaii

Lost on Lanai Picture of Ka Lanakila O Ka Malamalama Church at Keomoku

Lāna‘i’s Failed Sugar Venture at Keomuku – History of Lāna‘i Hawaii

The failed sugar venture at Keomoku is an important footnote in the history of Lāna‘i. At the end of the 19th century, Lāna‘i’s population had dwindled to around 200 people. In 1899, Walter M. Gibson’s daughter and her husband attempted to revive the island’s economy by founding the Maunalei Sugar Company.

Keomoku

The plantation was headquartered in Keomuku, a small village on Lāna‘i’s windward (northeast) coast, downstream from the fertile Maunalei Valley. This was the second attempt to produce sugar on the island. Earlier in 1802 a farmer from China, Wong Tse Chun, produced a small amount of sugar on the island bwfore ceasing efforts. He used a crude stone mill that he had brought with him to crush the cane.

The Plan

The plan was to establish a profitable sugar operation on the island, and between 1899 and 1901, they contracted nearly 800 laborers. Most of the laborers were from Japan having come to Hawaii to work on the plantations. Despite significant investment in labor and infrastructure, the operation was plagued by challenges from the outset. Saltwater intrusion affected the freshwater supply, the area’s remote location complicated transport and logistics, and the environment proved difficult for large-scale sugar cultivation.

More Reading:

• Discover the Beauty of Hulopo‘e Beach on Lāna‘i, Hawaii
• Lānaʻi: A Look Back at Hawaiʻi’s Pineapple Isle

Closure

By 1901, just two years after it began, the Maunalei Sugar Company failed. The village of Keomoku faltered with the closing of the planataion.  Many of the workers left Lāna‘i for other islands. A few stayed, and Native Hawaiian families continued to live along the less arid windward coast, supporting themselves through subsistence agriculture and fishing. In the 1950’s Keomoku’s last resident moved to Lāna’i City.

Legacy

This failed sugar experiment stands in contrast to the later success of pineapple on the island. It remains a reminder of the challenges faced by both the early agricultural ventures on Lāna‘i and today’s efforts. Remnants of the Keomuku village and the old railway tracks used for hauling sugar can still be seen, whispering echoes of a short-lived, ambitious but failed chapter in the island’s history.

Day-Trip to Lāna‘i

A day-trip to Lānaʻi is an easy ferry ride from Maui, departing from Maalaea Harbor.  You can book your day trip itinerary with Lost on Lānaʻi that includes your round trip Maui to Lānaʻi ferry and Lāna‘i Shuttle transfers to the Lāna‘Cat Sanctuary. We handle the details, and you enjoy the island! Visit the Lāna‘i Cat Sanctuary, Lāna‘i City or Hulopo‘e Beach.

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