Maui Plantation Festival Being Planned, Meeting Set

HC&S dozer harvesting sugar cane in Waikapū field. File photo by Wendy Osher.

The Queen Ka’ahumanu Center is organizing a Plantation Festival to celebrate the sugar industry and its workers. The event comes following Alexander & Baldwin’s announcement earlier this year that it plans to close Maui sugar operations and transition to a diversified agribusiness model instead.

All cultural non-profit organizations whose ancestors worked in Maui’s sugar plantations are invited to an introductory meeting at 5 p.m. on March 7, 2016 at the QKC management office, to discuss the festival. RSVP is required by Friday, March 4 to the QKC management office by emailing [email protected] or calling (808) 877-3369.

Discussion will include potential dates, cultural and historical displays, food and beverage, entertainment, prizes, sponsorship opportunities and other related components.

“We are excited to be the host venue of this special event that honors our culture and sugar plantation workers. It seems only fitting that we celebrate our sugar industry and its dedicated workers”, said Toni Rojas, QKC Marketing Director.