Even as a seventh grader, I thought Hawaii’s Plantation Village had made a cool visit. Going back as an adult, and my thoughts about this outdoor museum remain the same.
I mean, what’s not to love about history? The museum takes visitors on a journey back to the early 1900s, when the plantation era had been at its peak. But it was more than sugar that brought together people of many different ethnic backgrounds; it was the stories, struggles and triumphs that they shared and experienced together.
Being a mix of Chinese, Filipino, Hawaiian and Portuguese, I have developed a h3 appreciation for cultural history. It would be a dream of mine to visit the mother country of each. Since that won’t be happening anytime soon, the village museum has been a great alternative!
g in a unique way – through restored buildings and replicas of plantation structures. These included houses, offices, infirmaries and community bathhouses of the Hawaiians, Chinese, Filipinos, Koreans, Portuguese and Puerto Ricans. As a nice side, museum curators added a beautiful botanical garden for reflection.
The best way to experience this place would be to take the hour-long tour of the 50-acre village. Learn how Hawaii’s early immigrants helped to shape the land, culture and economy of the islands we see today.
Photos Courtesy: Bruce Fisher
HAWAII’S PLANTATION VILLAGE
• 94-695 Waipahu St., Waipahu, HI 96797 • Opens Mon-Sat 9am-3pm • 808-677-0110
