Event aims to celebrate, share Lanai's history

By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Mar 18, 2012

~~<p>For 70 years, from 1922 to 1992, pineapple was the economic backbone of Lanai. At the peak of production, from the 1950s to the 1970s, the island gained renown as the largest pineapple plantation in the world. When Dole shut down its operations there in 1992, it concluded a major chapter in Lanai's history.</p>
<p>"The plantation permeated every aspect of life," said Kepa Maly, executive director of the nonprofit Lanai Culture & Heritage Center (Lanai CHC). "A whistle blew in the morning, and the adults would get up to prepare for work. A whistle blew when it was time to start work and for the kids to be making their way to school. When it was pau hana (end of the workday), another whistle blew. And at 8 p.m. a whistle blew to announce curfew. If you were under 18 and away from home, you had to be with an adult. Life was structured, but there was a feeling of purpose and well-being."</p>
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<h4>ALOHA LANAI BENEFIT & CONCERT</h4>
<strong>» Place:</strong> Mamiya Theater, Saint Louis School, 3142 Waialae Ave., Honolulu
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For 70 years, from 1922 to 1992, pineapple was the economic backbone of Lanai. At the peak of production, from the 1950s to the 1970s, the island gained renown as the largest pineapple plantation in the world. When Dole shut down its operations there in 1992, it concluded a major chapter in Lanai's history.

"The plantation permeated every aspect of life," said Kepa Maly, executive director of the nonprofit Lanai Culture & Heritage Center (Lanai CHC). "A whistle blew in the morning, and the adults would get up to prepare for work. A whistle blew when it was time to start work and for the kids to be making their way to school. When it was pau hana (end of the workday), another whistle blew. And at 8 p.m. a whistle blew to announce curfew. If you were under 18 and away from home, you had to be with an adult. Life was structured, but there was a feeling of purpose and well-being." ALOHA LANAI BENEFIT & CONCERT » Place: Mamiya Theater, Saint Louis School, 3142 Waialae Ave., Honolulu Login for more...