Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum
Published On: Oct 26, 2006

When visiting the island of Maui, Hawaii, be sure to take some time to truly appreciate the history of this fascinating locale. One sure way to gain a true appreciation of Maui's past is to visit the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum.

The Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum is located in Puunene, Maui and educates visitors about the importance as well as the process of making sugar in Hawaii.

The Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum in Maui is the most expansive sugar factory still in use in the region. It is 1800 square feet and chronicles the sugar industry in the area from its inception, expansion, and influence on Maui.

In addition to viewing artifacts and reading fascinating historical documents, visitors also have the opportunity to see the sugar factory in motion.

While touring the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum, visitors will have a chance to explore six different rooms.

In the Plantation Room, tourists discover the essence of life on a sugar plantation as well as view a video detailing the process used to make sugar from sugar cane.

In addition, visitors can view religious objects, relics of plantation family life, and a scale model of a camp house. Visitors to the Plantation Room at Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum will also gain an appreciation for the multiethnic make up of the sugar business.

The Geography room generates an understanding of the influence Maui itself had on the sugar industry. Such elements as geography and weather are explored. The irrigation system used in the sugar making process is also explained in detail.

The Human Resources room at the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum details the international influence on Maui's sugar industry. Contracts written in various languages are displayed along with many photographs of those who began and influenced the sugar industry in Maui.

Water is an essential part of the sugar industry but not always easy to come by. The Water Room at the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum in Maui chronicles the history of bringing water to the factories' locations as well as tells the story of the men who worked tirelessly to make it all happen.

The Field Work Room at Maui's Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum demonstrates the implements used in the sugar cane fields including a knife and lunch pail. Visitors' awareness of the female contribution to the sugar industry is heightened by the display of a Japanese woman's work outfit.

The final room at the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum is the Mill Room. Visitors will come away with a better understanding of the operations occurring inside the sugar mill. There are some interactive exhibits in this room that will keep the hands-on orientated occupied.

Once visitors to the museum have completed the inside tour, they are free to explore the machinery outside that helped modernize the sugar industry. Such objects as cane grabbers, trench diggers, and an oven are on display for exploration.

The Alexander & Baldwin Museum in Maui details the fascinating history of the industry that put Hawaii on the map caused an influx of people from all nations. Visitors to this museum will have a greater understanding and appreciation of the sugar industry itself when they complete their tour.

Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum
3957 Hansen Road
Puunene, Hawaii 96784

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