August News: Kōloa Plantation Days and Upcoming Events
Looking Back Through the Sugar Era During Kōloa Plantation Days
Last month, under the brilliant summer sun, nearly 100 people gathered in the field next to the Old Kōloa Mill for a special opportunity to step back to the heyday of Hawai‘i’s sugar industry. Hosted by Grove Farm on July 24th as part of the 40th annual Kōloa Plantation Days festival, the “Look Back Through the Sugar Era” talk story and tour provided an evocative, two-hour journey into the sugar industry that shaped our island’s history.
The event brought together both visitors to Kaua‘i and residents with personal connections to the plantations. Outside the former mill buildings, journalist and historian Jan TenBruggencate and retired Grove Farm COO Allan Smith breathed life into historic dates, facts and figures by sharing stories that painted a vivid picture of what was once Hawai‘i’s largest export industry. Black-and-white archival photos and documents gave a glimpse into the past. Attendees learned about the innovative irrigation systems, sugar processing facilities, roads and railways that were developed, as well as the multicultural workforce that formed close-knit communities.
Groups were also bused inland past the Waita Reservoir to see the Wilcox Tunnel, a significant infrastructure project that allowed trucks to efficiently transport sugarcane to and from the Kōloa Mill for processing as well as transport raw sugar to the Nāwiliwili Harbor for shipping to the West Coast.
Jan’s book, “Grove Farm: 150 Years of Stewardship and Innovation,” was available to purchase on-site, with book proceeds and tour donations benefiting Kōloa Elementary School.
At the end of the tour, attendees were treated to complimentary local watermelons, generously donated by Aloun Farms.
A big mahalo to Jan and Allan for once again sharing their wisdom with attendees, to Matt of Kōloa Zipline and Jayneen Laysa for providing the bus tour to the Wilcox Tunnel, and to the entire Grove Farm staff for their hard work to host a successful event.
Learn More About Grove Farm’s History
Lane Closure Notice for Kapule Highway
As the construction of Ahukini Business Park continues, please be advised that the right lane of northbound Kapule Highway between Ka‘ana Street and Ahukini Road will be closed for approximately two months starting Monday, August 4. Motorists are advised to plan for travel delays while the work is ongoing. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this period.
Access to Līhu‘e Airport and the U.S. Post Office on Ka‘ana Street will not be affected during this time.
Honoring Our Grove Farm Scholars at the 2025 Scholarship Dinner
Every summer, since 2010, Grove Farm holds a Scholarship Dinner to recognize three top seniors from Kauai’s public high schools. The event brings together these three recent graduates with Scholars from years past, and we always look forward to catching up with our past Scholars as we congratulate the newest cohort of scholarship recipients.
This year, we gathered at the Puakea Grill to celebrate the accomplishments of three outstanding young women from the class of 2025 — Michaela Alcaraz, Lauryn Hashimoto, and Margarita Lomongo. They were selected from nine of the most accomplished seniors on Kaua‘i and will each receive a $20,000 Grove Farm Scholarship to continue their education. We wish them well as they embark on their college journey and look forward to seeing them at next year’s Scholarship Dinner.
Supporting Wetland Restoration by Mālama Hulē‘ia
Alakoko Fishpond, also known as the “Menehune Fishpond,” is one of our island’s treasured historic sites. Since 2015, the nonprofit Mālama Hulē‘ia has led community efforts to care for the fishpond and surrounding area by removing invasive red mangrove, improving water quality, restoring the natural flow of the water, and allowing native species to thrive.
Recently, due to federal funding cuts, the organization lost $750,000 that had previously been granted to purchase an amphibious excavator to continue their wetland restoration efforts. Board President Jan TenBruggencate shared with us the alarming news that without this essential equipment, Mālama Hulē‘ia is at risk of losing more than $2 million in additional funds.
The Grove Farm Foundation is pleased to support Mālama Hulē‘ia with a $10,000 donation towards the amphibious excavator. We applaud their incredible accomplishments so far, and we hope that their important work will be able to continue as they had planned.
Meet Our Farmers: Ben and Leonida Ednilao
Every Saturday at the Grove Farm Market, a green truck rolls through the park entrance resembling a mini parade float overflowing with beautiful tropical flowers. The petite lady behind the wheel is Leonida Ednilao. She is a firecracker who will not hesitate to sternly scold her customers about following market rules. Her husband, Ben Ednilao, occasionally comes to the market to help. In the past, market-goers would line up for Ben and Leonida’s papayas. These days, the Ednilaos continue to grow some produce but primarily grow a wide array of tropical flowers, 21 varieties in total.
A friend of the Ednilaos once told them, “If you only work pay-check to pay-check, your life cannot improve,” . Heeding their friend’s advice, they decided to go into farming. They started out leasing land in Moloa‘a, and eventually purchased land to grow papayas, corn, bananas, and more. Eventually, they sold their Moloa‘a property and became Grove Farm’s first tenant farmers after the end of the sugar era.
Today, the Ednilaos work long hours side-by-side, cutting flowers every Thursday and Friday for the Grove Farm Market. “He works one side, and I work the other side,” says Leonida, “and we meet in the middle.”
Each flower is picked by hand and carefully trimmed through to remove any dried leaves or blemished spots. “This is hard work,” explains Leonida, showing us her worn hands. “My hands and nails are cracked.”
Leonida arrived from the Philippines at the age of 24. Her future husband, Ben, was living next door, having moved over from Honolulu after working in the construction industry for 10 years. They married in 1976. Ben worked for Lihue Plantation before taking the leap of faith to become a full-time farmer in 1986. With Ben tending to the farm, Leonida handled the deliveries, supplying Kaua‘i’s hotels and restaurants and selling produce at the County’s Sunshine Markets.
The Ednilaos have put many years into farming and take great pride in the quality of their produce. Although they now focus primarily on tropical flowers, they still also raise mango, dragonfruit, lychee and jackfruit. They enjoy traveling when they can, especially to the 9th island.
End of Summer Craft Fair – August 2 at Grove Farm’s Puhi Park
Enjoy a relaxing Saturday at the Grove Farm Market. On Saturday, August 2 we are expecting over 40 crafters and artisans in addition to our weekly vendors. Don’t forget to purchase your fresh local produce, a plate lunch, and a sweet treat before leaving!
Sporting for a Cure with American Cancer Society
Every one of us has been touched by cancer in some way. We invite you to join us in celebrating cancer survivors, honoring caregivers, remembering those we have lost, and coming together to fight cancer at the Relay For Life of Kaua‘i on Saturday, August 16 at Vidinha Stadium Soccer Field. Grove Farm is honored to support this event as the Luminaria Sponsor in memory of Mike Furukawa, Grove Farm Vice President and Assistant Secretary, who tragically passed away in 2006 after battling leukemia.