Hawaii Plantation Village is a series of homesteads and structures located in Waipahu town. These houses, markets, and infirmaries that are now an outdoor museum and a botanical garden are former    houses for laborers that once worked on the plantation.

History of the Village

Between 1852 and 1947, sugar plantation was the major economic activity that not only employed thousands of Hawaii locals but raised the economy of the region. Sugar plantations in the state employed over 200,000 locals and 400, 000 foreigners seeking greener pastures. Hawaii plantation village is a good example of the culture and life of the then laborers at the plantations. The Village is made up of homesteads and structures for the Japanese, Philippines, Koreans, and many other nations that called this place home. Everything from homes, infirmary, bathing areas are still intact the way they were then.

Fall of economy

From 1950, Hawaii had begun to develop and venture into other revenue collecting activities. This led to a slow death of local sugar companies and plantations. Laborers at the factories and farms lost jobs and sources of livelihood prompting them to seek employment someplace else. Many of the laborers (who were mainly foreigners) left and deserted their homesteads not looking at their past life left behind in Hawaii by 1999. Villages that were occupied by hundreds of thousands were all abandoned and left to rot. The Hawaii Plantation Village was renovated and turned into a historic site for locals to travel back in time when sugar was the gem of Hawaii.

Future of Hawaii Plantation Village

Hawaii outdoor museum is made up of preserved and replicated 1880s structures that vary in culture. Clothes, cooking utensils, and many other artifacts remain intact the way they were left in the 1990s. Though the safety of the buildings is not guaranteed, many of the houses are stable enough to be toured or even spend a night in. The areas that were too dilapidated beyond repair have been demolished and their wastes used to fill up depressions all around the property. The now outdoor museum harbors wild snakes and spiders that may inflict serious injuries to a visitor if at all they have an encounter with them. 

On top of that, visitors are asked to pay attention to the plants they touch while at the park. Some of the plants preserved by the parks’ management are extremely poisonous. Guided tours are offered throughout the week (exception of Sundays) from 8 am to 2 pm. Despite the fear hazards at the Plantation Village, there is so much more to explore at the old historic village. Those who might like to have a glimpse of the place without physically traveling there can do so on various media platforms on the internet.