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Nahiku
Elevation: 150 feet
Current Real Estate Stats
One of the wettest places along the coast, Nahiku is the site of Hanawi Stream, one of the 70 remaining pristine streams in the over 600 watersheds of Hawaii. The residents of Nahiku remember when numerous taro patches flourished in the area, before the lack of water (caused by the diversion of the resource to other areas) prevented further cultivation. The residents continue to fight against the additional diversion of Hanawi Stream, fearing the threat to the environment, the stream, and to the native shrimp, opae ula.
They also remember that Nahiku was one of the most progressive of the eastern districts, being the first place in Hawaii to accommodate people from outside the islands, the first to open a bank and the first to have running water.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Nahiku Rubber Company started a rubber industry, the only commercial plantation attempted in the United States. Over 25,000 rubber trees were planted and during the high years of the industry, Nahiku supported a complete village with an extensive population, served by a store, churches of several denominations and a school.
After about 15 years, the venture failed. Some said it was due to high labor costs. Others say the rubber trees wouldn't grow well in Nahiku. Attempts to grow bananas and other crops commercially also failed and most of the people moved away from the area. During World War II, efforts were made unsuccessfully to revive the rubber industry and support the war effort.
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