My grandfather worked at the Pioneer Mill and was a supervisor of a crew that help build the smokestack. I proudly point to that landmark whenever I am on Maui with my children and grandchildren. I try to teach them to be proud of their heritage. We’re Japanese-Americans and are proud to be part of the history of Lahaina. It is unfortunate that our ancestor’s accomplishments conflicts with the heritage of the Hawaiians. But I think today, we all can say that biologically and spiritually we are all descended from Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and haole ancestors. Very few can say they are all this or all that. This is all of our history. Even the fire is our history. Grandchildren of those who survived should hear how grandma and grandpa escaped the flames. And the grandchildren should pass on those stories to their children as my mother did in pass on the story of my grandfather’s role in building the smokestack.
My heart and prayers go out to y’all ! We lived through Katrina in Nola and they we’re saying , after Katrina , “ “ Should we rebuild the city or not? “ We all know what happened. All History is relevant! Don’t let anyone take That from you! The good, the bad and the ugly!
I don't know where your authority on the subject stems from, but with all due respect, the history of the Hawaiian Islands after "discovery "is deeply painful to most native Hawaiians.
So much history. In a visitor's opinion, it should be kept, but the decision should be from the people of Lahaina. Thank you for the update and history. Aloha.
Keep it of course. There are aspects of the Kapu system that also had negative impacts, however no-one would consider removal of associated historic sites.
I agree and hope it stays. I'm grateful that the structure wasn't damaged in the fire. Jesse, I'm grateful for your videos of Lahaina. Our family was in Maui during the fire, and I was with a part of our family in Lahaina when the fire rapidly gained strength. We're grateful to God for His protection and guidance, and we fled Front Street. We still keep Lahaina close to our hearts, prayers, and financial support and encourage our friends and family to support Maui. Thank you again for all your work.
My wife and I have visited Lahaina many times, but as visitors and not residents, I feel the decision should be left those who can it there home and not some Arizona tourists, Thank you Jesse for your ongoing updates. Jim
Jesse. You have the best content on this. I shared this with a Facebook group called Lahaina strong and couldn’t tag you. I sent you a friend request so I can when you accept. Your content is so good it deserves to be shared
With so much devastation to Lahaina from the fire, I struggle now, trying to grasp the magnitude of loss while also trying to recognize what remains of the awesome town we loved to visit. Nothing warms my heart more than seeing two historic landmarks symbolizing strengths on which to rebuild. The banyan tree and the Pioneer smokestack.
Nothing compares to the smell that used to issue from that smokestack when it was working for the sugar mill. When I lived in Lahaina for 8 years in the 70's/80's, that smell was an integral part of the sensory banquet that was Lahaina. My last four years there, I worked on sailboats out of the harbor, and the tower was a clear landmark coming back from Molokai or Lanai. I say leave it up, it is a part of Lahaina history. Mauiehu
Pioneer Mill was a major player in the sugar industry that powered Hawai'i's economy for a century. Yes, it is a symbol of growers greed, stolen water and colonialism. Still, it played a vital part of Lahaina's history, including many native Hawaiians (full blooded and part) who worked at the plantation. Create a park and museum to teach future generations the truth about plantation life and it's impact on the surrounding area. I also urge support rebuilding of Kamehameha III Moku ula island, lake and private residence, down the way off of Front St, as a museum and gathering place for native peoples and those who respect Hawaiian culture and history.
Keep it. Those who feel it is a negative reminder of the past might re-think their feelings and see it as a reminder of the very pain they feel about their history, while those who support it will remember the rising from the ashes of this beautiful place we call Lahaina. I've been to Maui many, many times in my 85 years, including when the sugar cane factory was still operating, and I believe it should be saved.
As long as it's safe...it's one of the few landmarks left! While the pioneer history may have been negative in regards to land care, it's my understanding that government and school land was the major contributor to last years fire.
A monument to those who perished could be placed at, or around, the base. The area just mauka of the stack on Kahua Street had the greatest/densest loss of life so it's a fitting place to remember them.
I think it should be saved. Lahaina Arts Society and Local Artists of all kinds should be commissioned to decorate this with murals and paintings commemorating all the phases of Lahaina’s history. Begin at the bottom and let there be a piece that commemorates the Kumulipo that tells the story of the cosmological universe from the beginning of time. Show scenes of pre colonial Hawaiian historical events, show scenes with Hawaiian gods and Demi gods, show scenes of Missonaries, Plantations, Kamehameha, Kawika,the story of Queen LilioKalani, the take over staged by US Business, Sugar Cane, Pineapple, Tourism. Maybe even some visions of the future as we would like to see it. A huge Art piece. Create an spiral staircase or elevating scaffolding😮 that carries the artizans up the sides to paint It, now, and that will carry paying tourists and non=paying local school children and community members up adn down to view it. Make it one amazing art piece with a beautiful park around it. A destination with pride for the whole community.
This shouldn't even be debated! It's so important to honor the history of the island. Just tell the whole story. Lessons are learned from negative and positive.
Protect the culture, the history and heritage, and the indigenous people who deserve no less. The people of Maui, strong, not corporate and private greed
When I was 6 year old I’d always play around with that smoke Tower. Good memories every day we go to Lahaina I see that everyday. Leave it there don’t tear it down
History is the amount of good and bad events in a community ,if you erased the bad,like slavery and colonialism ,then it’s all an illusion or a fairy tale ,we loose ourselves when we lie to ourselves ,let the tower remain,it is after all an important part of the history of the town ,that we can only hope will be rebuild again as beautiful as it was before the fire !
The people who “prefer” to tear it down should pay for the costs. Tearing it down will be costly - and stupid. It’s a symbol which should be kept. It’s part of Lahaina’s history and should serve as a reminder of the pros and cons of manufacturing and be instructive on why we need a balance between manufacturing and ecology.
It is a historic landmark and I'd like it to remain. However, I am wondering about the expected life of the structure. At what point in the future might it come crashing down due to an earthquake or storm? The immediate area surrounding the smokestack will soon be filled with structures and human life. If it doesn't come down by disaster, it will someday become weakened to the point where it will have to come down to remove the danger of it toppling over. This type of structure is usually dynamited with the explosives placed to aim its collapse in the safest direction. Will there be a safe direction? If these questions can be satisfactorily answered, I'd like to see it remain. On another note, I must add that I am mystified there hasn't been more progress in the community's reconstruction. There are so many lots that show no signs of work taking place. Thanks!!!
The smokestack was always something I used to identify the landscape of Maui. During our last visit in March 2023 we actually purchased coffee right next door to it at the Maui Coffee location, which sadly is gone. I say keep it because it is part of Maui's history but I can understand both sides.
As yourself, I think ther should be an Information Station built to hilite the history of the stack, as well as to tell the story of this town's destruction and recovery.👍👍
I would like to see the stack saved. Perhaps a small park could be made with tables and benches for all to visit and reflect on all that the stack has endured. Mahalo.
SAVE IT!!! I grew up driving pass that smoke stack & the old mill. I used to use it as a land mark for i used to go fishing on my kayak & so has many others, may it be by boat or kayak.....
Jesse, If you see this, I have a suggestion. Perhaps future pieces could focus on separate individual neighborhoods or areas, not just on progress but history. I gather there is a historic district (between Shaw and Lahainaluna?) and it seems the rebuilding is on hold there. Is this really the oldest part of the town and are they taking extra time deciding how to rebuild? The actual new construction appears to be in newer neighborhoods. How old were the homes and businesses in those places? In any case, smaller areas and a slower fly-over would be interesting now that the disaster is over a year in the past.
I shot video and and images around the smoke stack a couple of months before the devastating fire, I definitely think keeping some of Lahaina's rich history makes complete sense, Like the sugar Caine train which stopped operating five years ago! Don't just let these things just disappear..... What is the condition of the two trains near the smoke stack!
It is the descendants of the original people of Lahaina who should make the decision. It is their history and ancestry- not the colonists that came afterward.
Why not relocate the lighthouse beacon that is located at Lahaina harbor and install it on the top of the Pioneer stack. It would certainly be a benefit for fishermen that travel out quite a distance to fish and also ships traveling to Lahaina.
Save it!! It was actually a little hard to see before the fire. You could see it over the tops of houses and them being completely gone is actually a bit weird, especially when you were in front street and could see it right there. So sad.
Lahaina as a town already lost a lot of history due to the fire, so as long as the stack is definitely stable, it doesn’t make sense to willingly erase history. I’m definitely not a city planner, but building a realistic, usable space around the stack doesn’t seem difficult.
Hi, lived on Maui for 15 years, 6 in Lahaina in the early 2000s. Don't wish to be disrespectful, but it was said that the sugar cane plantations also had positive impacts upon the indigenous community. Would it be possible to list a few of these please? Thank you. Btw my position is that the people of Lahaina should decide upon the fate of the smokestack.
Seems the future of Lahaina could be rebuilt perfected state of the art and that tower isn’t part of it… But utility also matters… There needs to be a monorail from the airport to Lahaina
I think this decision should be made by the long-term human residents of Hawaii, with a significant consideration of the wants and needs of the native Hawaiian residents.
SAVE IT!! If it is torn down, the history especially the many lost family before and after the fire, shows no respect for their hardship working to feed their loved ones. To me it is an image God saved to remind us how hard it was for our family to survive doing the sugarcane days.. this is a place to share with visitors to Hawaii. When it is torn down, shows no respect for the mano.
Tear it down. It serves no purpose except as a reminder of the sugar industry which is the main reason that the landscape is so damaged and vulnerable to fire. Concentrate on the buildings that remain, the Baldwin House, the Seaman's Museum, the Courthouse, and the Buddha Temple area. Also, cemeteries are historical areas that hold the memory of people of the past. Preserve them and maintain them as well.
We are to eager to get rid of history. It’s crazy!!!! History is why we are all here. Shame on those who want to pretend history didn’t happen. Leave the stack!!!!🥺🐳
"Those that ignore history are condemned to repeat it." Keep it as a reminder.
Absolutely SAVE IT....
My grandfather worked at the Pioneer Mill and was a supervisor of a crew that help build the smokestack. I proudly point to that landmark whenever I am on Maui with my children and grandchildren. I try to teach them to be proud of their heritage. We’re Japanese-Americans and are proud to be part of the history of Lahaina.
It is unfortunate that our ancestor’s accomplishments conflicts with the heritage of the Hawaiians. But I think today, we all can say that biologically and spiritually we are all descended from Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and haole ancestors. Very few can say they are all this or all that.
This is all of our history. Even the fire is our history. Grandchildren of those who survived should hear how grandma and grandpa escaped the flames. And the grandchildren should pass on those stories to their children as my mother did in pass on the story of my grandfather’s role in building the smokestack.
Thanks for sharing!!!
Very cool! Thanks for sharing your story 😎🤙🏽
My heart and prayers go out to y’all ! We lived through Katrina in Nola and they we’re saying , after Katrina , “
“ Should we rebuild the city or not? “ We all know what happened. All History is relevant! Don’t let anyone take
That from you! The good, the bad and the ugly!
Save it, history needs to be preserved ❤
That’s a no brainer. Needs to be saved. More now than ever ❤
Absolutely keep it. It is a reminder of the Lahaina we all love.
One generation does not have the right to destroy the history of many generations!
I don't know where your authority on the subject stems from, but with all due respect, the history of the Hawaiian Islands after "discovery "is deeply painful to most native Hawaiians.
So much history. In a visitor's opinion, it should be kept, but the decision should be from the people of Lahaina. Thank you for the update and history. Aloha.
My Tutuman worked at the Mill, along with alot of my Uncles...
SAVE THE SMOKE STACK....
Keep it of course. There are aspects of the Kapu system that also had negative impacts, however no-one would consider removal of associated historic sites.
I agree and hope it stays. I'm grateful that the structure wasn't damaged in the fire. Jesse, I'm grateful for your videos of Lahaina. Our family was in Maui during the fire, and I was with a part of our family in Lahaina when the fire rapidly gained strength. We're grateful to God for His protection and guidance, and we fled Front Street. We still keep Lahaina close to our hearts, prayers, and financial support and encourage our friends and family to support Maui. Thank you again for all your work.
Definitely save it…..it’s part of the spirit, the strength, and the love which Maui possesses!
Keep it
Hi Jesse! I am only a visitor to your great island, but I agree with you. History, good and bad, needs to be preserved. We learn from history!
It’s history, keep it
My wife and I have visited Lahaina many times, but as visitors and not residents, I feel the decision should be left those who can it there home and not some Arizona tourists, Thank you Jesse for your ongoing updates. Jim
I agree with your opinion that we should save the smoke stack as one of the few remaining historical landmarks remaining in the area.
Save it! is part of Lahaina History
Save the history!!!!
Agree 100% with You. Pro’s and Con’s both way but i say let the People Vote
Jesse. You have the best content on this. I shared this with a Facebook group called Lahaina strong and couldn’t tag you. I sent you a friend request so I can when you accept. Your content is so good it deserves to be shared
One cannot change history, no matter how unfortunate, by removing monuments. It should be saved.
I agree with you 100%. After losing so much of Lahaina it would be so nice to leave it there and use it as an educational piece.
Leave the smoke stack!
Save the smokestack.
Keep it‼️It is history that helped Hawaii and the people who worked for all the generations that live there 🥰🙏❤️
It’s a Landmark from the Sea.. create a park around it..
With so much devastation to Lahaina from the fire, I struggle now, trying to grasp the magnitude of loss while also trying to recognize what remains of the awesome town we loved to visit. Nothing warms my heart more than seeing two historic landmarks symbolizing strengths on which to rebuild. The banyan tree and the Pioneer smokestack.
Nothing compares to the smell that used to issue from that smokestack when it was working for the sugar mill. When I lived in Lahaina for 8 years in the 70's/80's, that smell was an integral part of the sensory banquet that was Lahaina. My last four years there, I worked on sailboats out of the harbor, and the tower was a clear landmark coming back from Molokai or Lanai.
I say leave it up, it is a part of Lahaina history.
Mauiehu
I don't doubt it😂
How about the smell in Kahului when they used to water the cane fields😂😂
Save it!
Lahaina wouldn't be there without the mill, keep the smokestack, too much history has been torn down in the name of "progress"
That is just a no brainer!!! Save the Smoke Stack!!! Jesse You are 💯 % right!!!!
Save it. You cannot erase the past we all need to face the good AND the bad and learn from it.
Save it
Keep it.
Pioneer Mill was a major player in the sugar industry that powered Hawai'i's economy for a century.
Yes, it is a symbol of growers greed, stolen water and colonialism.
Still, it played a vital part of Lahaina's history, including many native Hawaiians (full blooded and part) who worked at the plantation.
Create a park and museum to teach future generations the truth about plantation life and it's impact on the surrounding area.
I also urge support rebuilding of Kamehameha III Moku ula island, lake and private residence, down the way off of Front St, as a museum and gathering place for native peoples and those who respect Hawaiian culture and history.
Keep it. Those who feel it is a negative reminder of the past might re-think their feelings and see it as a reminder of the very pain they feel about their history, while those who support it will remember the rising from the ashes of this beautiful place we call Lahaina. I've been to Maui many, many times in my 85 years, including when the sugar cane factory was still operating, and I believe it should be saved.
Save it. This is a historic monument and survived the Lahaina fire.. that alone speaks volumes.
I live in a santa rosa ca. And our short sighted 'leaders' have destroyed it's history to build a shopping mall. Dont let it happen to you.
Still heartbreaking every time I see the Lahaina area😢
Keep it! It's a sublime landmark. #Lahaina #Maui #Hawaii
As long as it's safe...it's one of the few landmarks left! While the pioneer history may have been negative in regards to land care, it's my understanding that government and school land was the major contributor to last years fire.
A monument to those who perished could be placed at, or around, the base. The area just mauka of the stack on Kahua Street had the greatest/densest loss of life so it's a fitting place to remember them.
Bring back Pioneer Mill Festival
I think it should be saved. Lahaina Arts Society and Local Artists of all kinds should be commissioned to decorate this with murals and paintings commemorating all the phases of Lahaina’s history. Begin at the bottom and let there be a piece that commemorates the Kumulipo that tells the story of the cosmological universe from the beginning of time. Show scenes of pre colonial Hawaiian historical events, show scenes with Hawaiian gods and Demi gods, show scenes of Missonaries, Plantations, Kamehameha, Kawika,the story of Queen LilioKalani, the take over staged by US Business, Sugar Cane, Pineapple, Tourism. Maybe even some visions of the future as we would like to see it. A huge Art piece. Create an spiral staircase or elevating scaffolding😮 that carries the artizans up the sides to paint It, now, and that will carry paying tourists and non=paying local school children and community members up adn down to view it. Make it one amazing art piece with a beautiful park around it. A destination with pride for the whole community.
This shouldn't even be debated! It's so important to honor the history of the island. Just tell the whole story. Lessons are learned from negative and positive.
ALL history should be saved for future interpretation. Good or bad it is history.
I agree with you. Leave the smoke stack. Good or bad it was one of the few things left standing.
I agree with you Jesse! History always has good and bad mixed together.
Protect the culture, the history and heritage, and the indigenous people who deserve no less.
The people of Maui, strong, not corporate and private greed
When I was 6 year old I’d always play around with that smoke Tower. Good memories every day we go to Lahaina I see that everyday. Leave it there don’t tear it down
History is the amount of good and bad events in a community ,if you erased the bad,like slavery and colonialism ,then it’s all an illusion or a fairy tale ,we loose ourselves when we lie to ourselves ,let the tower remain,it is after all an important part of the history of the town ,that we can only hope will be rebuild again as beautiful as it was before the fire !
I use to walk there to get my morning coffee at the little coffee store right beside it. Save it!
The people who “prefer” to tear it down should pay for the costs.
Tearing it down will be costly - and stupid. It’s a symbol which should be kept. It’s part of Lahaina’s history and should serve as a reminder of the pros and cons of manufacturing and be instructive on why we need a balance between manufacturing and ecology.
It is a historic landmark and I'd like it to remain. However, I am wondering about the expected life of the structure. At what point in the future might it come crashing down due to an earthquake or storm? The immediate area surrounding the smokestack will soon be filled with structures and human life. If it doesn't come down by disaster, it will someday become weakened to the point where it will have to come down to remove the danger of it toppling over. This type of structure is usually dynamited with the explosives placed to aim its collapse in the safest direction. Will there be a safe direction? If these questions can be satisfactorily answered, I'd like to see it remain. On another note, I must add that I am mystified there hasn't been more progress in the community's reconstruction. There are so many lots that show no signs of work taking place. Thanks!!!
I would definitely save the smokestack, but I would change the area around it. I suggest adding a park with some arbors and some grass and vegetation.
It's iconic....save it
I think it's up to the people of Lahaina to decide. After all they are going to have to pay for it's repair and upkeep if they decide to keep it.
The smokestack was always something I used to identify the landscape of Maui. During our last visit in March 2023 we actually purchased coffee right next door to it at the Maui Coffee location, which sadly is gone. I say keep it because it is part of Maui's history but I can understand both sides.
As yourself, I think ther should be an Information Station built to hilite the history of the stack, as well as to tell the story of this town's destruction and recovery.👍👍
Please Keep it ❤don’t let the Big corporation take it over let the people real build it
I would like to see the stack saved. Perhaps a small park could be made with tables and benches for all to visit and reflect on all that the stack has endured. Mahalo.
Ya way back in the 1970's and 1980's I worked on the tourist boats PT for Dave Jung. We used it as navigation as well.
ABSOLUTELY save it…
SAVE IT!!! I grew up driving pass that smoke stack & the old mill. I used to use it as a land mark for i used to go fishing on my kayak & so has many others, may it be by boat or kayak.....
Jesse, If you see this, I have a suggestion. Perhaps future pieces could focus on separate individual neighborhoods or areas, not just on progress but history. I gather there is a historic district (between Shaw and Lahainaluna?) and it seems the rebuilding is on hold there. Is this really the oldest part of the town and are they taking extra time deciding how to rebuild? The actual new construction appears to be in newer neighborhoods. How old were the homes and businesses in those places? In any case, smaller areas and a slower fly-over would be interesting now that the disaster is over a year in the past.
Save it !!!! Don't erase history !!!!
Leave it up!!!!
I shot video and and images around the smoke stack a couple of months before the devastating fire, I definitely think keeping some of Lahaina's rich history makes complete sense, Like the sugar Caine train which stopped operating five years ago! Don't just let these things just disappear.....
What is the condition of the two trains near the smoke stack!
Save it and have the locals paint it and put a memorial park around it! 🔥❤️🇺🇸
There is no question that it should be preserved.
Leave the smoke stack! History is history!
Save it. Preserve the memories of all the past years to even the present.
You make a compelling case for keeping the smokestack.
SAVE IT!
Save it!!
Don’t even think about touching it…
We have to save it. It is our history.
This question should have never even come up -
Mahalo 🤙
Have Wyland paint it. Make it vibrant 😎
It is the descendants of the original people of Lahaina who should make the decision. It is their history and ancestry- not the colonists that came afterward.
Why not relocate the lighthouse beacon that is located at Lahaina harbor and install it on the top of the Pioneer stack. It would certainly be a benefit for fishermen that travel out quite a distance to fish and also ships traveling to Lahaina.
I think it would make a great giant sundial
Save Please
PLEASE SAVE IT!!!
Save it!! It was actually a little hard to see before the fire. You could see it over the tops of houses and them being completely gone is actually a bit weird, especially when you were in front street and could see it right there. So sad.
Save it never forget
Save it!
Lahaina as a town already lost a lot of history due to the fire, so as long as the stack is definitely stable, it doesn’t make sense to willingly erase history. I’m definitely not a city planner, but building a realistic, usable space around the stack doesn’t seem difficult.
I agree. Lahaina has lost enough. Rebuild & tear nothing down.
Or spend that money on restoring some of the natural beauty!
It is to be saved.
Hi, lived on Maui for 15 years, 6 in Lahaina in the early 2000s. Don't wish to be disrespectful, but it was said that the sugar cane plantations also had positive impacts upon the indigenous community. Would it be possible to list a few of these please? Thank you. Btw my position is that the people of Lahaina should decide upon the fate of the smokestack.
A lot Hawaiian history was taken away and or erased. I think Hawaiians should have the last say, if it should stay or go.
SAVE IT.
Seems the future of Lahaina could be rebuilt perfected state of the art and that tower isn’t part of it… But utility also matters… There needs to be a monorail from the airport to Lahaina
I think this decision should be made by the long-term human residents of Hawaii, with a significant consideration of the wants and needs of the native Hawaiian residents.
Human as opposed to corporate interests…
It’s history of Lahaina…don’t destroy it. Too much of the history is already gone. 😢
Save It
SAVE IT!! If it is torn down, the history especially the many lost family before and after the fire, shows no respect for their hardship working to feed their loved ones. To me it is an image God saved to remind us how hard it was for our family to survive doing the sugarcane days.. this is a place to share with visitors to Hawaii. When it is torn down, shows no respect for the mano.
Tear it down. It serves no purpose except as a reminder of the sugar industry which is the main reason that the landscape is so damaged and vulnerable to fire. Concentrate on the buildings that remain, the Baldwin House, the Seaman's Museum, the Courthouse, and the Buddha Temple area. Also, cemeteries are historical areas that hold the memory of people of the past. Preserve them and maintain them as well.
We are to eager to get rid of history. It’s crazy!!!! History is why we are all here. Shame on those who want to pretend history didn’t happen. Leave the stack!!!!🥺🐳
Save it.