Immortalizing Lāna‘i’s Pineapple Past: Life Lessons for Gen Z
Stories of the past serve as the foundation for the present and future, offering valuable lessons for inspiration and transformation. Neglecting these narratives diminishes the sacrifices and hardships endured by the people who lived them.
To preserve these stories and ensure they endure, Lāna‘i High and Elementary School's grade 9 English Language Arts (ELA) students interviewed and documented the experiences of individuals who witnessed or lived through Lāna‘i’s Pineapple Plantation Era.
The pineapple industry once defined Lāna‘i, transforming it into a major hub for pineapple cultivation. After James Dole acquired the majority of the island in 1922 and established his large-scale operation, Lāna‘i became synonymous with pineapples. This era, lasting 70 years, shaped the island’s economy and culture before ending in 1992 due to global competition and economic shifts.
Inspired by the themes of John Steinbeck’s novel “Of Mice and Men,” which students read in the first quarter, this project draws parallels between the historical experiences of Lāna‘i’s pineapple workers and the struggles of Steinbeck’s characters, George and Lennie. Like the novel’s protagonists, these workers faced significant struggles and exhibited immense determination in pursuit of their own versions of the American Dream. Often immigrants, they endured grueling labor conditions, economic exploitation and social marginalization. Despite these adversities, they persevered, driven by the hope of achieving better lives for themselves and their families. Their shared dream of financial stability and community reflects broader, often unfulfilled aspirations central to the American Dream. Both narratives highlight labor exploitation, systemic barriers, and the quest for dignity and a better future amidst daunting odds.
This project was initiated by Mr. Jerico Valencia Jaramillo, a high school ELA teacher and one of the Filipino J1 teachers. He aimed to develop students’ writing skills while integrating culture and history into the curriculum, fostering a strong sense of cultural and historical identity.
Each grade 9 student conducted research and interviewed members of the Lāna‘i community about their backgrounds and experiences on the plantation. Some interviewees had firsthand experience, while others witnessed plantation life. Students were free to shape their interviews and narrative styles, with the goal of reflecting on the life lessons gained from these stories.
The first volume of these narratives is expected to be published in June or July, with more stories to be compiled each school year.
We of Many Colors
by Sofia Pimentel
Roberto “Bob” Hera, Assistant to Dole Personnel Manager. Circa 1968-69.
Many members of our families including parents, grandparents aunties and uncles grew up within the culture of the pineapple era. One of those people was my grandfather, Bob Hera. When he was only 13 (circa 1949), he began working in the pineapple fields, engaging in weeding, or as it was locally known, “hoe hana.” In the summer following his junior year in high school, he started picking pineapples and harvesting crowns.
After graduating from high school, he left the island to attend the University of Hawai‘i and subsequently joined the military. He returned to Lāna‘i in 1967, entering a management training program. From there, he advanced into various management roles within Dole Company, starting in the personnel department. In this role, he helped workers bring their families from the Philippines
to Lāna‘i.
My papa found his time on the plantation very rewarding. One of the highlights was working with and getting to know people from diverse cultures. Everyone shared their cultural foods, dances, games and languages, fostering a beautiful unity among everyone on Lāna‘i.
According to my papa, the working conditions were as good as one could expect in an agricultural setting. Management and the union collaboratively ensured safe and fair economic conditions for the workers. He mentioned that in his early days, one of the challenges was dressing appropriately for the field environment and the hot weather. Dressing was challenging because everyone who works in the field needs to wear several layered clothes like long sleeves, long canvas pants, wide-brimmed hats, bandanas or neck gaiters, gloves, sturdy footwear or rain boots, and rain gear during rainy seasons. He said, “Work in the pineapple plantation was labor-intensive but provided a good livelihood for many people.” The industry not only offered him a means to support his family but also enabled him to fulfill his dream of building a home.
Lāna‘i’s pineapple plantation provided a stable economic base for its residents. It spurred immigration from various countries, creating a diverse labor force for the plantation. As the alma mater for Lāna‘i High & Elementary School states, this is how “we of many colors” came to reside on this beautiful island.
Sofia is the daughter of Jennifer and David Pimental.
Echoing Sentiments of Success
by Marc Rainielle Sarmiento
My Aunt Caroline Sarmiento was among the pineapple workers employed with Dole Company during the 1980s and 1990s. In our interview, she recounted the challenges of this laborious job. She described it as physically demanding, with long hours under the scorching sun, leaving workers exhausted and susceptible to injury and illness. Tasks such as land clearing, planting, tending to crops and harvesting were hazardous and could result in back injuries, cuts, bruises or heat exhaustion.
Living conditions were also harsh, with cramped dormitories lacking basic amenities like clean drinking water, refrigeration and adequate medical care, which heightened the risk of disease spread. Additionally, the work was highly seasonal, leading to periods of unemployment during the off-season, necessitating alternative forms of income to sustain families.
When asked about her motivation for working at the plantation, Aunt Caroline cited the need to provide for her family and support her children’s education back home. Her American dream centered on achieving economic stability to secure a better future for her loved ones, despite the limited opportunities in her home country.
The experiences shared by my Aunt Caroline shed light on the struggles faced by migrant workers, highlighting their resilience and determination. Their hard work contributed to the establishment of Hawai‘i’s robust agricultural economy. Today, Lāna‘i, once a bustling plantation island, has transformed into a serene tourist destination renowned for its picturesque beaches, lush forests and tranquil ambiance.
Reflecting on Aunt Caroline’s stories, I’ve come to appreciate the value of diligence, self-reliance and perseverance. Her anecdotes have instilled in me a sense of purpose and determination, echoing the sentiment that success is earned through ambition and hard work, not mere wishful thinking.
Marc Rainielle Sarmiento is the son of Marnelli and Lawrence Sermiento
Picking Pineapples: A Mother-Daughter Perspective
By Graziella Reese
Sophie and Kathleen Amoncio
Lāna‘i has changed over the years but in many ways remains the same. The era of Lāna‘i’s pineapple plantation greatly impacted people’s lives in ways you might not expect. Working on the plantations required a lot of strength and courage. Although it wasn’t an easy job, the island’s close-knit community made it worthwhile.
Sophie Amoncio and Kathleen Amoncio, a mother and daughter pair, both worked for Dole Company and have fascinating stories to tell. Seeing through the eyes of a parent and her child offers both different and similar perspectives. The memories they made and everything they experienced together formed one beautiful journey.
Sophie, the mother of Kathleen, is 89 years old and has lived on Lāna‘i for many years. Born on O‘ahu, she moved to Lāna‘i because her husband, Ambrose, is from the island. She has been married for 63 years and has four children. Sophie loved working on the pineapple plantation; she found the job excellent for physical health and enjoyed being outdoors. However, she noted that it could be tough for some due to the intense sun and wind.
Her day would start at 4:00 a.m. She would wear jeans or canvas pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect herself from the pineapples’ thorny crowns. After getting ready, she would head to the labor yard where all the trucks were located. There, she would be assigned to a particular group, known as “gangs,” and a pineapple truck would take them to their work destination. Working for Dole allowed Sophie to support her family and she was dedicated to her job until she had to stop when she became pregnant with Kathleen. Later, she returned, and she and Kathleen, then a teenager, would head to the labor yard together, though they were assigned to different gangs.
Sophie’s dream was to own her home. She disliked renting, saying, “Renting is like throwing my money out the window. It’s better to buy your home if you love where you live.” Eventually, she achieved her dream and bought a house. In the end, she worked hard and cared deeply for her family. She is proud to be a good wife and a wonderful mother, always grateful for the journey she has had.
Kathleen was born in 1962 and was raised on Lāna‘i. After moving to Rhode Island in 1983 and living there for 36 years, she returned to Lāna‘i in 2015 to care for her parents. She is still well-known in the community. Kathleen was 15 when she started working at the pineapple plantation. She would wake up around 3:00 a.m. and follow a routine similar to her mother’s. She wore canvas pants or jeans and used hankies to cover her face, along with arm guards to avoid getting poked by the pineapples. She remembers the working conditions as challenging: “It was dirty and dusty and extremely hot, especially being covered in all those clothes and working 8 hours a day.”
Kathleen’s father was a foreman and in charge of the plantation, so she naturally ended up working there as well. Despite the tough conditions, she appreciated the job. While she had dreams of becoming a stewardess or a cosmetologist, she cherished the work ethic she developed at the plantation. Kathleen’s wages ranged from $1 to $2.75 per hour, and she would save most of her earnings to buy clothes at the end of the year after giving her mother $20 for groceries.
Ultimately, she enjoyed working at the pineapple plantation and mentioned that she would do it again if the opportunity arose. After her experiences, Kathleen values hard work and never takes anything for granted, acknowledging that everything she had came from
those efforts.
Sophie and Kathleen both have unique yet interconnected stories. Sophie prioritized her family, working tirelessly for those she loved. Kathleen, although young, gained invaluable life experiences that shaped her into the person she is today.
Working on this project taught me a great deal about Lāna‘i’s pineapple plantation era. Learning from Sophie and Kathleen’s experiences has taught me to never take what I have for granted and to always think about family. Hearing Sophie’s story showed me what true passion is — putting family first and making sacrifices. Kathleen’s story inspired me to work for what I want and to understand that nothing comes without effort. Hard work is essential to succeed in life. After hearing their stories, I view my own life differently, appreciating my blessings and always remaining grateful for what I have.
Graziella Reese is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and moved to Lāna‘i in 2019. She is the daughter of Caroline and Curtis Reese.