Puʻunene, Hawaii

Puʻunene, Hawaii

Puʻunēnē is an unincorporated community in the central part of Maui, Hawaii, near Kahului with a population of around 50. Although the land is fairly level, the words Puʻu nēnē mean "nene goose hill" in Hawaiian.
Puʻunēnē's primary industry was growing, harvesting and processing sugarcane for over a century but production ceased in 2016. In 2019, a field of potatoes was planted by Mahi Pono where sugar cane used to be grown. This 40-acre (16 ha) initial planting was the beginning of using these fallow lands to increase local food production.[1]
The Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum is housed in the former residence of the superintendent of Puʻunēnē Sugar Mill, which the Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company (a division of Alexander & Baldwin) operated across the street since 1901. Its mission is "to preserve and present the history and heritage of Hawaii's sugar industry, and the multi-ethnic plantation life which it engendered."[2] Also located in Puʻunēnē is the Puʻunēnē School, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]
Puʻunēnē's Zip code is 96784. The mill is located at 20°52′3″N 156°27′16″W [10] , just east of Mokulele Highway, Hawaii Route 311.