Puʻunene, Hawaii
Puʻunene (Hawaiian: Puʻunēnē) is an unincorporated community in the central part of Maui, Hawaii, near Kahului with a population of around 50. Although the land is fairly level, the Hawaiian language name Puʻu nēnē means "nēnē goose hill".
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Puʻunene's primary industry was growing, harvesting and processing sugarcane for over a century but production ceased in 2016. In 2019, a field of potatoes was planted by Mahi Pono where sugar cane used to be grown. This 40-acre (16 ha) initial planting was the beginning of using these fallow lands to increase local food production.[1]
The Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum is housed in the former residence of the superintendent of Puʻunene Sugar Mill, which the Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company (a division of Alexander & Baldwin) operated across the street since 1901. Its mission is "to preserve and present the history and heritage of Hawaii's sugar industry, and the multi-ethnic plantation life which it engendered."[2] Also located in Puʻunene is the Puunene School, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]
About three miles to the south of Puʻunene is the site of a former Naval Air Station (1940–1947),20°48′59″N 156°27′38″W.[4] An old runway is now used as a drag strip for Maui Raceway Park.[5]
Puʻunene's ZIP code is 96784. The mill is located at 20°52′3″N 156°27′16″W, just east of Mokulele Highway, Hawaii Route 311.
Gallery
- Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum, former Puʻunene Mill manager's house
- Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company Mill, view from Old Puʻunene Road coming from former Puʻunene Camp[6]
- Puʻunene Congregational Church (1910), the first Japanese Christian church in Maui, now to be demolished or moved[7]
References
- CERIZO, KEHAULANI (August 22, 2019). "'This is history in the making' as Mahi Pono set to begin first plantings". The Maui News. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- "Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum". web site. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- "Puunene Naval Air Station / Maui Airport, Puunene, Hawaii". Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields web site. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
- "Maui Raceway Park". web site. September 20, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
- Gary T. Kubota (2007-06-22). "Sugar, memories planted at Puunene: A planned reunion recalls special memories for a plantation townn". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved 2010-03-24.
- Gary T. Kubota (2006-12-25). "Historic church faces possible demolition". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Retrieved 2010-03-24.