LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Museum continues its “Author Series” Saturday with a presentation by Kaua‘i residents Aileen and Niles Kageyama. The Kageyamas will talk story about growing up “plantation-style” when the sugar industry dominated the island. The event begins at
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Museum continues its “Author Series” Saturday with a presentation by Kaua‘i residents Aileen and Niles Kageyama.
The Kageyamas will talk story about growing up “plantation-style” when the sugar industry dominated the island.
The event begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Kaua‘i Museum in Lihu‘e.
Niles grew up in Japanese Camp in Koloa, the town where the first successful sugar plantation in Hawai‘i was founded, according to Pamela Brown, author of the book “Kaua‘i Stories: Life on the Garden Island as told by Kaua‘i’s People,” a collection of more than 50 personal stories — including the Kageyamas.
“Niles will share stories of what it was like to live in plantation ‘camps’ (housing provided to employees by sugar plantation companies), the sense of community that pervaded the camps and the fun children had with toys made form whatever they could find,” Brown wrote in a release for the event.
“Niles will also provide an overview of how the sugar industry shaped Kaua‘i and the entire state of Hawai‘i for 150 years.”
Aileen was born on Kaua‘i and is a third generation Wada, a successful business family then and now.
“She will share stories of growing up in Lawa‘i and anecdotes of working in her parents’ general good store, located next door to a pineapple cannery, in a time when customers allowed H. Wada Store employees into their unlocked homes to make deliveries,” Brown wrote.
Following the presentation and discussion, Brown, Niles and Aileen will be available to sign copies of “Kaua‘i Stories,” which is available for purchase at the museum.
This talk story event is part of the Kaua‘i Museum’s ongoing “Author Series,” which highlights the work of talented local writers, according to Melisa Paterson, the museum’s public relations specialist.
“They’ve been really fun,” Brown said of the “Author Series” events. “It’s great for the museum. It’s great for people that want to talk story.”
“Growing up Plantation-Style” is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Regular admission to the Kaua‘i Museum and this event is $10. Museum members are admitted for free.
For more information or to make a reservation call the Kaua‘i Museum at 245-6931, or visit www.kauaimuseum.com.
• Chris D’Angelo, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 241) or lifestyle@thegardenisland.com.
