Old Sugar Mill of Koloa

The Old Sugar Mill of Koloa is a historic industrial site featuring the remains of a 19th-century processing facility with a prominent stone chimney and foundation walls. Informational markers at the location describe how the machinery once converted sugarcane into usable products.

Ladd & Company established Hawaii's first commercial sugar processing operation here in 1835, launching the islands into industrial agriculture. This enterprise fundamentally transformed the economic foundation of Hawaii.

Workers arrived from China, Japan, the Philippines, and Portugal to labor at the mill, creating a multicultural community that still shapes island life today. This blend of traditions remains woven into local customs and family histories throughout the region.

The site is located in Kauai County and features clear informational markers to guide your visit. Walking shoes are recommended as the ground is uneven and parts of the ruins require careful navigation.

The facility drew power from Maulili Falls, an innovative water-driven system that kept operations efficient and competitive in its era. This resourceful approach to energy shows how the site adapted to its island location.