Pineapple Town - by Edward Norbeck (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Pineapple Town: Hawaii provides a comprehensive exploration of life within Maunaloa, a Hawaiian pineapple plantation community on the island of Molokai. The book delves into the social, economic, and cultural dynamics of plantation life, reflecting the transformative effects of industrial agriculture and the demands it places on its workers and their families. Through the lens of Maunaloa, the study highlights the unique structure and challenges of Hawaiian pineapple towns, including their corporate ownership, reliance on foreign labor, and the integration of diverse cultural traditions into a singular yet multifaceted community. The book sheds light on how technological advancements, economic pressures, and social changes have shaped these plantation societies over time.

The narrative also examines the broader history of the pineapple industry in Hawaii, tracing its rise from the early 20th century to its mid-century peak. The industry's challenges, including disease management, labor shortages, and competition, are discussed alongside its technological innovations and the socio-economic adaptations of its workforce. Rich in ethnographic detail and informed by the author's firsthand experiences as both a resident and researcher, Pineapple Town: Hawaii serves as a vivid case study of how industrial agriculture influences community development, cultural integration, and the lives of workers in an environment shaped by both local traditions and global economic forces.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1959.