The Beginnings: Ladd & Co. Before 1833, life in Hawaii had changed very little since the Polynesians first made their way to the islands. Some foreigners (i.e. former whalers, missionaries, and so forth) had set up residence. For the most part, their influence was minimal. In 1833, three men from the Eastern United States formed…
Category: Sugar Plantations
Female Workers on Hawaii’s Sugar Plantations
In Hawaii, females were employed right from the start of the sugar plantation era. They may have worked for the plantation or they might have sought work within the community. Whatever work they did, it was important for their family’s survival. My 2nd Great Grandmother Worked on a Sugar Plantation If you think your female…
The Bango Number System: How Employees Were Identified on Hawaii’s Sugar Plantations
Many people from many nations were employed by the sugar plantations of Hawaii. The different languages and unusual names created problems for plantation management. Because of this, sugar plantation owners devised an identification system to keep workers sorted out. It was called the Bango Number System. Bango Numbers Identified Each Worker Upon each laborer’s arrival,…
What Occupations Did They Do on Hawaiian Sugar Plantations?
Were your ancestors one of the many people from across the globe who worked on the Hawaiian Sugar Plantations? These jobs might have been in the field, mill, railway, office, or the plantation store. This is a look at the different jobs they may have performed. Many Jobs to be Done on an Hawaiian Sugar…
Processing Sugar Cane in Hawaii in the 1860s
History books tell us of the difficulties of starting sugar cane plantations in Hawaii. Many dreamers set their hopes on easy riches only to find that growing and milling sugar cane in the islands was incredibly difficult. Not only was it difficult to find the right land, get laborers, and make a profit, getting sugar…