Hawaii in the 1990’s

Back in the day, many in Hawaii could tell you stories of what it was like to make a living as a plantation worker from dawn ‘til dusk. Or, they could tell you of picking pineapples in the fields, making sure not to miss the last truck out at sunset, or about working in the Dole Cannery for some extra summer cash. Many can recall the awesome sight of sugar cane fields burning in the early morning hours, back in the day. In the 1990’s this would all change. With the plantation era seeing its last days in Hawaii, this decade was a time of historic change for our island state. What was once such a foundational and defining part of Hawaii’s unique identity among the 50 States, was now coming to an end in Hawaii.

Photo credit: Chie Gondo

1992 saw the end of pineapple production when Dole Foods shut down the Iwilei Cannery. Hamakua Sugar—the Big Island’s last sugar plantation—then closed in 1992 and harvested its final crop in 1994, marking the end of this 117 year old company. In 1995, Waipahu Sugar, after 98 years of harvesting sugar, also closed. Then finally, in 1996, Waialua Sugar harvested its last crop. Along with these closures, Hawaii would also say good-bye to Arakawas, Waipahu’s 86 year old plantation store.

Photo credit: Ed Goforth

Then, sadly, in 1997 Israel Ka Kamakawiwo’ole died and approximately 10,000 mourners gathered at Makua Beach to remember the beloved singer and songwriter with the smooth as velvet voice that would now sing no more. And to add to the grief, Hawaii would also lose Rell Sunn —Hawaii’s first female lifeguard and premier surfer—to breast cancer in 1998. However, even with Rell physically gone, her legacy of love for Hawaii continues to live.

Alongside the difficulties in the 1990’s were also the good and the new. H-3 freeway on Oahu opened in 1997 after years of contention and debate. Hawaii beamed with pride when Miss Hawaii’s Brooke Lee became Miss USA and was later crowned as Miss Universe. Then in 1998, the Hawai’i Convention Center opened to help Hawaii establish itself within the international business world. In 1999, the Hokule’a (the voyaging canoe from the Polynesian Voyaging Society) arrived in Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island.

Around the world, the riots in LA over the beating of Rodney King, and an acquittal for O.J. Simpson in his murder trial made headlines and monopolized the airwaves for many a day. This decade would also see an end to apartheid in South Africa, as Nelson Mandela is elected president. Then, on the same day in 1997, the world said farewell to Mother Theresa and Princess Diana. When Y2K fears amounted to nothing, we heaved a relieved sigh as we said aloha to the 1990’s. Hawaii would make it’s way into the new millennium with her past behind her, looking ahead to a new century of change.

Let the voice of Israel Kamakawiwo’ole take you back to the 1990’s and share your memories below.

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