Hawaii’s plantation workers journeyed from distant countries to work for a then-booming industry, build lives and put down roots where they had none. Sacrifice, determination and perseverance were characteristics inherent in each of individual as they came together sharing their diverse cultures and traditions to lay the foundation for what we know of Hawaii today.
The inaugural Hāmākua Sugar Days Festival marks the 30th anniversary since the closing of the last local sugar plantation in 1994. It also celebrates the strong community built by plantation workers through a variety of events Oct. 5 through 20.
Organized by the Honokaʻa Heritage Center, this community-driven heritage event honors the stories and the people who built the economy and culture of the Hāmākua Coast.
“The plantation workers were the backbone of the Hāmākua community, not just through their hard work in the sugarcane fields, but also in the way they built a strong, close-knit community,” said Director of Honokaʻa Heritage Center Nicole Garcia in an email to Spectrum News. “They brought with them a wealth of cultural traditions from places like Japan, the Philippines, Portugal, China and Puerto Rico, blending these to create a vibrant, diverse community.
“Their contributions extended beyond labor. They established families, built churches, temples and schools, and passed down values like perseverance, cooperation, and respect for the land — the plantation values. Their efforts laid the foundation for much of what we cherish in Hāmākua today,” Garcia said.
The festival will salute surviving plantation workers, highlight the contributions of each of the ethnic groups that immigrated to Hawaii Island to work on the plantations, showcase sustainable agricultural initiatives and delve into the roots of the community’s resilience as they faced economic and social impacts resulting from the closure.
Garcia said though their numbers are fewer each year, there are plantation workers and their family members from that era in the community.
“Many are now in their 90s or even older. This makes it all the more important to honor them while we still have the chance to hear their stories firsthand. The memories and experiences they hold are a vital part of our history and cultural identity,” said Garcia.
Lineup of festival events, all are free and open to the public unless noted otherwise:
• Oct. 5 - Sugar Workers Luncheon by invitation only – Residents whose family members have worked for Hamakua Sugar Company are asked to call 808-437-1947 to receive free tickets for this free luncheon honoring sugar workers.
• Oct. 6 - Softball tournament, 9 a.m. Honokaʻa County Park – Families are invited to attend an Intergenerational Softball Tournament that brings back the friendly “camp against camp” competitions. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
• Oct. 11-13 - Screenings of the documentary, “Roots in Resilience: Stories of Hāmākua Sugar,” at Honokaʻa People’s Theater – Based on the Honokaʻa Heritage Center’s 2023 oral history project, the film is a one-hour documentary that shares first-person stories from local sugar workers, their families and community members that capture the impact of the sugar plantation era on the Hāmākua Coast. Screenings at 5 and 7 p.m. Oct. 11, 2 p.m. Oct. 12 and 5 and 7 p.m. Oct. 13.
• Oct. 12 - Hāmākua County Fair & Parade – First up is the parade making its way through Honokaʻa Town starting at 10 a.m. followed by the county fair at Honokaʻa Complex Park, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy local food and craft vendors; a host of keiki activities; “Sugar Town” in the county gym featuring all things sweet, plus a student art show, festival merchandise, lucky number drawings, demonstrations and more; Hāmākua Energy Agriculture and Sustainability Expo with exhibitors offering information, demos, games as attendees learn about traditional and modern farming techniques and how to incorporate sustainable practices; and last but not least, live music on the main stage featuring Hālau Kuaunu, Ryan Hiraoka, Kingside, Pas & Sala, Hui Hoʻokani, Honokaʻa Jazz Band, Kalapana Awa Band and others.
Lots more fun on Mamane Street with the Mutt Contest and Poi Dog Pageant at the former Bank of Hawaii parking lot, Cultural Village at Honokaʻa Heritage Center and Plantation Worker Hub at Honokaʻa Union Hall where workers and their families can gather to share stories and even record oral histories.
• Oct. 14-17 - The following cultural heritage events will celebrate the diverse ethnic groups who immigrated to Hawaii to work on the plantation, set roots and contributed to the unique “local” culture that characterizes Hawaii today:
- Oct. 14, 5 p.m., Honokaʻa People’s Theatre – Japanese Night will feature a presentation by Dr. Patsy Iwasaki about Katsu Goto, a Japanese merchant and interpreter who was a victim of a lynching. The film, “Picture Bride,” will be shown at 7 p.m. Food will also be available for purchase.
- Oct. 15, 5 to 7 p.m., Honokaʻa Heritage Center – Portuguese Night will feature cultural games, food, demonstrations and exhibits.
- Oct. 16, 5 to 7 p.m., Honokaʻa People’s Theatre – Filipino Night will have a guest speaker sharing the contributions of Filipino workers to the labor movement.
- Oct. 17, 6 to 10 p.m., Honokaʻa People’s Theatre – Dance to Katchi Katchi music on Puerto Rican Night, meet master cuatro maker John Guzman and enjoy food and exhibits.
- Hawaiian Night has been postponed; date TBA.
• Oct. 18 - Plantation Night at Honokaʻa High School’s football game, 6 p.m., Honokaʻa High School – Root for the hometown team with a halftime show honoring the Hāmākua’s sugar workers. $8 general admission, $4 seniors.
• Oct. 20 - Plantation Golf Tournament, Hāmākua Country Club – The Hāmākua Sugar Days Festival concludes with this golf tournament at the historic plantation-era Hāmākua Country Club. Players need to register for a fee, event is free to watch.
As the community comes together to celebrate, Garcia said, “We hope this festival serves as a tribute to their hard work, sacrifice, and resilience. We want this generation to know that their contributions are remembered, honored, and continue to shape the Hāmākua community today.
“It's a celebration of their legacy and a way to pass that history on to future generations, ensuring that their stories, values, and lessons remain alive in our hearts and in the community. By coming together, we can show that the foundation they built is still strong and that we continue to draw inspiration from their lives,” Garcia shared.
Visit the Hāmākua Sugar Days Festival website for the most up-to-date event information.
Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.