Located on the southwest shore of Kauai, the Kekaha Sugar Company had a long record of producing sugar. Its mill and office were located far from the western extent of its fields at Polihale. Because of this distance, it was
Located on the southwest shore of Kauai, the Kekaha Sugar Company had a long record of producing sugar. Its mill and office were located far from the western extent of its fields at Polihale. Because of this distance, it was customary for the company to send a pay master into its fields. On Feb. 11, 1920, the designated paymaster was Fredrick Aaser.
Part 1, the heist
On this day the payroll was about $11,000, it was held in pay envelopes with the employee name and employee number on each envelope. These envelopes were then held in a locked box that the paymaster took into the fields.
Aaser took the pay box and boarded a locomotive on its last run of the day. The locomotive brought cane cars to the field. Passing through high sugar cane the train come to a place where there was a sharp curve requiring a reduction of speed when a man dressed in the garb of a cane loader stepped from the tall cane.
The man pointed a revolver and ordered them to “stop and dismount.”
They complied and the bandit boarded the locomotive and took it up the track toward Mana. It was apparent that the bandit knew how to operate a locomotive. A short time later, the train returned slowly in reverse.
Many do not know the garb of the hapai-ko man, a sugar cane loader. Loaders wore denim jackets and pants. The jacket sleeves were tied at the wrists and trousers were tied above the ankles.
These ties were necessary to keep out the itchy sugar cane fuzz. A cane loader also wore a denim hood protecting their eyes when carrying sugar stocks. On their feet loaders wore tabis of heavy blue denim.
When it was realized that the paymaster was overdue, the section overseer rode his horse toward Mana. In route, he came upon Kaimiola Hali, a known Mana resident. Hali was dressed in clean clothes and wore tan leather shoes. The overseer told Hali of the tardiness of the paymaster and expressed concern on his absence and to what may have happened. Hali showed interest. The overseer knew that Hali was a known fisherman who sold his catch to workers and that he received their payments on company paydays.
The overseer and Hali came upon the paymaster and engineer along the main track and were told of the robbery. The overseer then hastened to Mana to call the police.
Next week: The investigation.
Stories celebrate KHS 100th anniversary
“The Kekaha train robbery” is the sixth of 12 stories leading to the 100th anniversary of the Kauai Historical Society.
The highlight will be a multicultural festival on May 10, when there will be dances, music, food and stories on the front lawn of the Historic County Building.
In the meantime, The Garden Island is working with the Kauai Historical Society on a centennial crossword puzzle contest. Here’s how it will work:
The Garden Island will publish 12 articles on Kauai history on successive Thursdays. The first was published Jan. 23. A crossword puzzle will be published by April 17 and also be available at the office of the Kauai Historical Society, Old County Building Ste. 101, Lihue. Answers to the puzzle will be found in the articles.
Here are the contest rules:
• The puzzle must be submitted by May 5 to KHS.
• Submissions may be mailed to P.O. Box 1778, Lihue, HI 96766 or to the office of the historical society.
• Winners will be determined by date and time of submission. If mailed, date will be the postmark and time will be 6 p.m. If delivered to the historical society office, the date and time will be stamped on the submission. Three prizes will be awarded, determined by the earliest date and time of submission.
• Winners will be announced at the centennial celebration May 10, Historic County Building.
