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Plantation workers
By Betty Shimabukuro
plan reunion
Star-BulletinFor a generation, life at Kemoo Camp revolved around the pineapple crop. Kids started picking pine as young as age 12. Hard times or nostalgia? A bit of both as that generation looks back.
"All my three brothers started work from 12 years old," Harold Matsumoto recalls. "When I came 12 they moved the age to 14, when I came 14 they raised the age to 16, so from 16 I worked in the summer time."
Matsumoto, now 66, was born in the camp, which is just outside Wahiawa, and lived there until it closed in 1950 when he was in high school. Now he, his three older brothers and some of their childhood friends are organizing a camp reunion.
A luncheon -- with entertainment, karaoke and tales of plantation life -- is planned for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 6 at Helemano Plantation. A round of golf is scheduled for Aug. 3 at Honolulu Country Club.
Kemoo Camp opened sometime before 1920 for Hawaiian Pineapple workers and their families. It closed when the plantation built new homes in Whitmore Village.
The first reunion took place in 1996, drawing 150 people, a good number considering the camp had only 30 homes.
This time the organizers are hoping for even more, and are inviting former residents of nearby camps. It's a worthy event for children and grandchildren who could stand to learn about plantation life, Matsumoto said.
"We had to go 100 yards to use the toilet; we didn't have hot water," he said. 'They take it for granted nowadays."
Families are encouraged to bring items they've saved from those days -- toys, tools, photographs, even kitchen stoves -- to put on display.
Cost of the luncheon is $12, payable at the door, but the organizers need a head count, so call Matsumoto, 622-2407.
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