Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Big Five (plus 2)

As the sugar industry pushed ahead, something new was introduced into the economic scheme of things. In Honolulu two or three new firms began business solely to handle the affairs of the scattered plantations. They began by acting as selling agents for the planters. Gradually they took over other functions: financing crops, importing labor, purchasing machinery for the planters and serving in all ways as their business agents. The new businesses soon found themselves running the sugar industry.

“By 1941, every time a native Hawaiian switched on his lights, turned on the gas or rode on a street car, he paid a tiny tribute into Big Five coffers.” They were C. Brewer & Co; Theo H. Davies & Co; Amfac; Castle & Cooke: and Alexander & Baldwin. They branched out into other businesses. There were a couple other associated entities that were associated with the Big 5” Dillingham (Benjamin Franklin Dillingham) and Campbell (James Campbell) and their associated companies.

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Grand Canyon

“Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is to keep it for your children, and for all who come after you, as the only great sight which every American … should see.” (Teddy Roosevelt) In 1876, the Santa Fe railroad was one of the fastest expanding railroads in the country. In 1889, Fred Harvey had a contract for exclusive rights to manage and operate the eating houses and lunch stands with the Santa Fe, west of the Missouri River. Soon, the Santa Fe Railway (and others railways) reached the South Rim of the canyon.

In 1968, Amfac (one of Hawai‘i’s ‘Big Five’ companies) bought the Fred Harvey Company (and with it, the concession the hotels, shops and activities at the Grand Canyon.) Amfac had its beginning in the Islands when, on September 26, 1849, German sea captain Heinrich (Henry) Hackfeld arrived in Honolulu with his wife, Marie, her 16-year-old brother Johann Carl Pflueger and a nephew BF Ehlers. Later, the resort management company became known as Xanterra Parks and Resorts (the present concessionaire and operator of hotels and other functions at the Grand Canyon, and elsewhere.) They say the average length of stay for visitors to the Grand Canyon is 3-hours.

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Walker Estate

Captain Heinrich Hackfeld was an adventurer born Germany. He was a sea captain on the China run when he sailed into Honolulu Harbor for provisions. He stayed; he and his brother-in-law Johann Carl Pflueger founded a dry goods store called H Hackfeld and Company in 1849 in Honolulu. George Rodiek was first vice president of H Hackfeld & Co; he also served as German consul in the Islands.

In 1905, Rodiek built a two-story home with a series of garden featuring ferns, rocks and orchard in Nuʻuanu. Later, the Nuʻuanu home was taken over by Henry Alexander Walker (Walker became president of American Factors in the 1930s) – American Factors shortened its name to “Amfac” in 1966. His son, Henry, turned the estate into world famous orchid gardens.

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Fred Harvey Company

The Santa Fe railroad was interested in Frederick Harvey’s plan in providing good food service to rail customers; in 1876 Harvey acquired the lunchroom at the Topeka depot. Service and food were dramatically improved, and both Harvey and the Santa Fe desired to see his operations expanded.

By the late-1880s, there was a Harvey establishment every one hundred miles along the Santa Fe line. At its peak, there were 84 Harvey Houses. Later, in 1968, Amfac (one of Hawai‘i’s ‘Big Five’ companies) bought the Fred Harvey Company.

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Līhuʻe

Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi (literally translated as ‘cold chill’) dates from the late-1830s when Kaikioʻewa, governor of Kauaʻi, moved his home from the traditional seat of government, Waimea, to the hilly lands overlooking Nawiliwili Bay on the southeastern side of Kauaʻi in the ahupuaʻa of Kalapaki. He named this area Līhuʻe in memory of his earlier home […]