Keeping the heritage alive at Hawaii’s Plantation Village – Part 2 the tour (video+slideshow)

June 13, 4:27 PMHonolulu Affordable Travel ExaminerSandi Yara

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The era has passed but history buffs know that sugar cane was king in Hawaii for over 100 years and Hawaii’s Plantation Village (HPV) offers a snapshot of what life was like during this formative period. 

Similar to visiting other museums, the best way to tour the village is to take a docent-led tour. There is no audio-tour option and this is actually good news because HPV’s docents have personal experience with life on a sugar plantation and will offer insights and share ‘real’ stories of what it was like to grow up on a plantation in Hawaii.

The tour starts with a walk through the quaint Goro Arakawa Exhibit Room where you will be introduced to plantation life, circa early 1900’s.  You’ll see photographs of a ‘contract’, picture bride, family photos and ledger sheets.  There are artifacts like a bull whip, ‘bango’ tags, field worker’s clothing (see photo), cane press and more.  The newly installed exhibit, “The Portuguese in Hawaii” is also on display featuring their history in Hawaii, music, clothing, achievements and more.  Throughout the exhibit, you are shown the harsh realities faced by the immigrant workers.

Once exiting the museum, you walk through a ‘time tunnel’ that transports you back in time. On the otherside of the tunnel is where the walking tour begins and you have a chance to explore the collection of 32 original and authentically replicated plantation structures such as workers’ homes of the various ethnic groups, community bath, Chinese cook house (on the State Register of historic buildings), barbershop, social hall, Inari Shrine (also on the State Register of historic buildings) plantation store and more.  The buildings are furnished with over 3,000 personal artifacts. Nowhere else can you find so many cultural backgrounds blending and contributing to the integrated way of life we know today as Hawaii.

Hawaii’s Plantation Village’s volunteer docents lead tours at the start of each hour, Monday through Saturday at 10:00 am. The last guided tour is at 2:00 pm.  General operating hours of the Museum are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.  Saturday hours are from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.

ADMISSION: Rates valid until December 31, 2009

• $13.00 - Adult (general)
• $10.00 - Senior (62+ with ID)
• $7.00 - Kamaaina/Military (with ID)
• $5.00 - Youth (4-11 years of age)   
• Free - Children (3 years and under)

For more information about the Village and the significant period in Hawaii’s history that it represents, visit www.hawaiiplantationvillage.com