In 1835, the first sugar plantation was set up in Koloa. As more and more people emigrate to work in the sugar plantation, the manager started to provide housing for the workers. The workers are provided with all the basic necessities such as medical care and food. The salary of the male workers is about $9 per month. The women earn about $6 per month. At that time, the people are not paid with cash. Instead, they are paid with coupons. Later, the California gold rush encourages the plantation to export the sugar to other countries.
Hawaii Plantation Village offers exhibitions on various historical buildings that used to exist on the sugar plantations. If you visit the village, you can explore the lifestyle of the people in the early 1990s. You can explore the historical homes and plants that feature the cultures of the people. You can participate in guided tour and hear stories of how the immigrant laborers struggle to achieve a better future. During the 1990s, laborers from different countries such as China, Portugal, Japan and Korea came to Hawaii to earn a living. They adapt to the lifestyle of the local Hawaiians. Together with the Native Hawaiians, they create a multicultural society.
Visiting the Hawaii Plantation Village allows you to learn about the history of different ethics of workers at the sugar plantations. You will get to see photographs of the sugar plantation from the 1830s – 1950s. Some of the documents you can observe in the collection include birth certificate, medical records, scientific research, and etc. Outreach programs for schools are available on request. Hawaiian Plantation Village is equipped with rental facilities, libraries, picnic areas, and museum souvenir shop. The place is equipped with handicap facilities.
Everyday, there is a guided tour for visitors to participate. The guided tour will start at 10 a.m. and lasts for 1 hour. Visitors who want to part take the guided tour should come in between Monday and Saturday. If you take the Oahu helicopter tour, you will see this landmark. The village covers an area of about 50 acres. The museum consists of homes that are authentically restored. On the site, there is a sumo-wrestling ring. Relics that belonged to the workers who used to work at the sugar farm can be found at the village. The village is situated nearby to Oahu Sugar Mill. If you want to learn more about the homes on Oahu, you can visit the Hawaiian Plantation Village.