In July, discover Koloa’s rich history at the Koloa Plantation Days Celebration, an annual event that commemorates Koloa’s sugar industry and Hawaii’s unique heritage.
In 1835, Koloa became the site of Hawaii’s first sugar mill marking the rise of the sugar industry. Soon, sugar became the backbone of Hawaii’s economy and the need for labor brought an influx of immigrants—Chinese, Japanese, German, Portuguese, Filipino, and Korean—who now make up the multicultural fabric of Hawaii’s population today.
Although sugar production ended in Kauai in 1995, the Koloa Plantation Days Celebration continues to commemorate this era with nine days of special events, entertainment, food demonstrations, and fairs, culminating at the Koloa Plantation Days Parade and Celebration. Most of the events at this family-friendly summer event are outdoors and free of charge.