Amfac delays destruction
of Lahaina sugar mill

Residents want to look at the
possibility of preserving the site

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By Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com

LAHAINA >> Amfac Land Co. officials have agreed to push back a proposal to demolish the sugar factory and smokestack at Pioneer Mill until a future community meeting in Lahaina.

The decision was made following a community meeting yesterday at the Waiola Church community hall, where several residents complained the company needed to provide more information about the feasibility of preserving the site.

"We need to have more information on what the demolition is going to cost, what's the cost of buying the property or the building as is," said Keoki Freeland, executive director of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation.

Several residents criticized Amfac for its plan to demolish a landmark that has been a part of the town since the 1860s.

"Why demolish that? That's history," said Fuzzy Alboro Sr., a Lahaina resident and former Pioneer Mill employee. "I know what you want: money."

Alboro said the smokestack is also used by fishermen as a location marker. Buck Buchanan, another resident, said people are feeling there is a lack of respect on the part of Amfac for not honoring history.

"A lot of people worked there," Buchanan said. "It's part of their personal history."

Tamara Edwards, president of Amfac Land, said she continues to have worries about the age of the factory structure.

"I think it's going to be very difficult to save all of the building," Edwards said.

She said the company would ask the county Cultural Resources Commission to postpone an Oct. 4 meeting, where Amfac was seeking support for demolishing Pioneer Mill. Amfac Hawaii LLC, formerly Amfac/JMB Hawaii, decided to shut down the sugar operations about two years ago.

Neighbors were worried about leaving the site in its dilapidated state as a potential health hazard and making sure residents were notified in advance of any asbestos cleanup.

John Higham, vice president of Amfac Land, said sections of the roof are collapsing and that the building was unfeasible for use. He said a structural engineer estimated it would cost $200,000 to fix the exterior of the smokestack.

Higham said Amfac also did not know the cost of demolishing the factory and smokestack.