Sugar, Sugar

© David Franzen/Sugar Museum

South of Kahului, across from the largest operating sugar plantation in Hawai‘i, lies the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum. Housed in an historic building dating from 1902, the museum features six exhibit rooms exploring the influence of this crop on the island. One of museum’s highlights is the Field Work Room, examining the lives of immigrant plantation workers through artifacts, letters, documents and photographs. Check out a video presentation on the industry and its pioneers, then visit the Mill Room, offering a fascinating overview of how cane is processed into sugar. Afterward, head outdoors to view plantation equipment such as a Cleveland Model J36 trench digger, a 1920s Portuguese oven and a “cane grab.” Top off your visit with some real Hawaiian sugar cane, ready to take home.