Pa‘akai: Salt Making, 1852–1922

The making of pa‘akai—sea salt—was one of the significant traditional practices associated with the coastal lands of Honouliuli. There are a number of Māhele claims by native tenants of the larger Pu‘uloa land division for salt-making sites. While no specific claim was identified for the wetland or shoreline zone within the Hoakalei program area, it is reasonable to assume that the making of pa‘akai was done in the area.

The formation of a salt works business at Pu‘uloa led to continuing residency along the Pākule, Keahi, and Kupaka shoreline leading towards One‘ula. The Pu‘uloa Salt Works was in operation from the 1840s to the early 1900s. The narratives below provide an overview of the modern business venture.

The following is from a Puuloa Salt Works advertisement entitled “Puuloa Salt Works—Sandwich Islands” published in the Daily Alta California.

These extensive works are situated at the mouth of Pearl river, Island of Oahu, within ten miles of Honolulu, and has the largest and safest harbor on the entire group of Islands. The entrance is half a mile wide, easily distinguished, with 12 feet of water over the bar at low tide.

These works are capable of supplying the entire Pacific Ocean with the article of salt.

Shippers and masters of vessels may procure entire cargoes or smaller quantities of the above article, in bulk, matt bags or barrels at the works, or delivered on board their vessels in the harbor of Honolulu, by applying to:

C. W. Vincent, Honolulu,
Corner of Mauna Kea and King Streets.1

In 1860, the advertisement below was published announcing the availability of ocean salt which was being made at Pu‘uloa.

From ancient time, the natives have known about and made salt; it is that with which food is seasoned, and is also an item of trade; but the salt of Hawaii is not very good, it is not the best for salting beef and salting pork. If it is left for long, it spoils.

But at this time, salt is made at Puuloa, and it is very good. The bitterness has been removed from within; a mill has been gotten and the salt mixed like flour, and like the salt of other lands; therefore, at this time, the salt of Puuloa is greatly desired. It is taken to other lands and it is a thing that brings prosperity to the land.2

The following 1922 article announced the expansion of the business to production of shaker salt.

Following a policy of doing its share towards making the Hawaiian islands self-supporting—productive of all necessities of life possible—an industry few know exists on Oahu is being brought rapidly to a standard equal to the highest achieved by mainland plants.

By a limpid lagoon, just beyond Pearl Harbor where crystal waters are not contaminated by infusion of foreign substances, the Honouliuli salt works has been developing under the eyes of Honolulu yet few have seen.

Machinery is being installed now to take the industry out of its swaddling clothes—to graduate it from its infant drudgery of feeding ice-cream freezers and supplying demand for crystal and rock salt, into what is known in the trade as the shaker salt field.

Now the word shaker means, in the parlance of salt, something which will shake out of a shaker. So it is a step forward from ice cream freezers to the table.

The plant, producing crude salt, is turning out some 55 tons weekly eight months of the year. The other four months overcast skies and rains minimize production. The product is largely due to the care taken in filling the tanks, which are washed, scrubbed and drained before pure sea waters are pumped in. The tanks are of cement. The element of dust and dirt eliminated by the scrubbing makes the product marketable for cruder uses immediately. A fleet of motor trucks is supplying island consumers.

The new machinery will convert part of this crude output into salt for table and kitchen uses, shaker and bag salt. The demand for coarser salt will not be slighted in expanding to enter the shaker salt field. It is the intention of the men who have brought the industry into being, to increase its capacity as the consumption increases.

The new machinery is designed to shatter the crystals and process the salt so that, in the moist climate of the island coasts, it will not cake—in fact it is the intention of the company to produce a Hawaiian product that will compare on all points with the imported article, with the added feature of ocean freight eliminated.

Expert supply surveys have been conducted in the island from time to time to determine just what imports are necessary to make up the difference between local production of any food article and demands of consumers. It is estimated that the salt works, when under full swing, would be able to eliminate this item from freight lists. The plant is on a branch of the railway. The new unit of the plant will be in operation before summer.3

1Daily Alta California, July 1, 1852, p. 4.

2“Ka Paakai o Puuloa” (The Salt of Puuloa), Ka Hae Hawaii, July 25, 1860.

3“Salt Works on Oahu to Branch Out Into Shaker Salt Field,” Honolulu Star-Bulletin, March 11, 1922, p. 11.

Category: 
Land Use: Development Period
Salt Works
Puuloa
Hoakalei Cultural Foundation

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Conveyances of Puuloa Salt Works

This is a lease of Puuloa Salt Works from M. Kekauonohi to I. Montgomery. It is a conveyance record on file at the Bureau of Conveyances.

Olelo Hoolimalima

Mawaena o M. Kekauonohi ma kekahi aoao a me Isaac Montgomery ma kekahi aoao.

Ke ae aku nei o M. Kekauonohi e lilo ia Isaac Montgomery kona Loko paakai ma Puuloa, Mokupuni o Oahu, no na makahiki eono mai keia la aku.

Na Isaac Montgomery ka mahele paakai o M. Kekauonohi me na Kanaka, aia no ia Isaac Montgomery a olelo no ia mea, e like me ka M. Kekauonohi mau ana.

Ke ae aku nei o Isaac Montgomery ma kona aoao e uku pono aku oia a me kona mau hope ia M. Kekauonohi i na Dala maikai Elima Haneri no kela makahiki keia makahiki a pau na makahiki i oleloia maluna.

Eia kekahi mea i ae like ia, E hiki no ia Isaac Montgomery ke kukulu i mau hale waiho paakai ma kahi ana e makemake ai, a hiki no na kaa ke hele malaila no ka lawe ana i ka paakai.

A pau na makahiki Eono, e hoihoi mai oia a me kona mau hope i ua aina nei a me na hale a pau maluna, ia M. Kekauonohi a i kona mau hooilina a hope paha.

Aole no hoi e kue o ua Montgomery la i na kanawai of keia Aupuni ma kona noho ana malaila.

A no ka oiaio o keia olelo, ke kau nei maua i ko maua mau inoa a me na Sila i keia la 16, o Iulai 1847, ma Honolulu, Oahu.

(signed) M. Kekauonohi (seal)
Isaac Montgomery (seal)

Ike maka
A. Kealiiahonui
S. P. Kalama1

A translation of the document is below.

Rental Agreement

Between M. Kekauonohi of one part and Isaac Montgomery of the other part.

M. Kekauonohi hereby agrees to let out her salt ponds at Puuloa, Island of Oahu to Isaac Montgomery for the term of six years from this date.

The salt section of M. Keakuonohi and the natives is for Isaac Montgomery. It is there for Isaac Montgomery as stated just as it was under M. Kekauonohi.

Isaac Montgomery agrees on his part, and on the part of his administrators, to truly pay M. Kekauonohi Five Hundred Dollars for each year as cited above.

Here also is this agreement, that Isaac Montgomery may build storage houses in which to hold the salt, at the place he desired, and that carts may travel there to take the salt.

At the end of the six years, he and or his executors shall return the land and the buildings upon it to M. Kekauonohi, her heirs or assigns.

Said Montgomery shall not oppose the laws of this Nation during his residency there.

In witness of the truth of this state, we hereby affix our names and seals on this 16th day of July, 1847, at Honolulu, Oahu.

(signed) M. Kekauonohi (seal)
Isaac Montgomery (seal)

Witnesses:
A. Kealiiahonui
S. P. Kalama2

In 1948, half of the saltworks was subleased to George Pelly. The following documents the sublease.

Ke haawi aku nei au me ka hoolilo aku i kekahi hapalua o ka waiwai i lilo mai iau ma keia palapala, no ka mea, ua loaa iau ka waiwai like; ua hoomaopopoia hoi, e mahele like ia ka waiwai i laa; no George Pelly a me kona mau hooilina a me kona mau hoe, a he kuleana like loa hoi me ko Isaac Montgomery a me kona mau hooilina ame kona mau hope, he hapalua a he hapalua a laua a elua; i mahele like ia hoi ka waiwai i lilo.

(Signed) Isaac Montgomery
Geo. Pelly

Ikemaka
Geo. T. Allen
L. Andrews, Jr.3

The sublease is translated below.

I hereby makeover and transfer one half share of the property leased me in the within document, for value received; it being understood that each party, that is to say George Pelly, his heirs & executors, shall have equal rights with the said Isaac Montgomery, his heirs and executors, half & half, each being one half share of the expenses.

(Sig.) Isaac Montgomery
Geo. Pelly

Witnesses
(Sig.) Geo. T. Allen
L. Andrews, Jr.4

 In 1854, C. W. Vincent and Maria Mauli Vincent mortgaged Puuloa Salt Works and vicinity to B. F. Angel. The following document records that conveyance.

Know all men by these presents that We, the undersigned now being at Honolulu, Island of Oahu, for and in consideration of five thousand dollars to us in hand paid by B. F. Angel now likewise living at Honolulu, aforesaid, the receipt whereof we hereby acknowledge, do grant, bargain, and sell … unto B. F. Angel and unto his heirs and assigns forever all that certain lot of land situated in the Island of Oahu, known and described as follows:

Commencing at the mauka South corner at point of this land at a place called Lae Kekai at the Bend of Pearl River and running along the edge of Pearl River makai side taking the fish ponds call Pamoku, Okiokilipi and Pakule to the open seas, thence following along the sea coast reserving the reef in front of the end of a stone wall in the sea on a land called Kupaka at the mauka West corner of the land, thence running North 25 East to place of Commencement.

Being the same lot of land conveyed to Isaac Montgomery by M. Kekauonohi by a Deed dated Sept. 7, 1849, and by the said Isaac Montgomery conveyed to Charles W. Vincent by an instrument dated September 15, 1849, which said instruments are of Record at Liber 4th pages 41 & 42. Miscellaneous conveyances to which said Deeds a plot of survey is appended by which the above described land is said to contain an area of two thousand two hundred and forty four acres.

To have and told the above described premises and all the tenements and hereditaments thereon situated with this my covenant of warranty and lawful seizure unto the said B. F. Angel and to his heirs and assigns forever.

Provided nevertheless that if the undersigned shall pay or cause to be paid unto the said B. F. Angel, his heirs or assigns the aforesaid sum of five thousand dollars with interest of 2 percent per month on or before the 1st day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five as expressed in a certain promissory note of concurrent date with these present to which said note this mortgage is collateral with this Deed together with the said note shall both be absolutely void to all intents & purposes … Personally appeared before me Maria Mauli Vincent, to me well known as the wife of Charles W. Vincent, and being examined apart from her husband acknowledge that she signed the foregoing document for the purposes there set forth of her own free will.5

On November 1, 1855, Charles W. Vincent declared that the mortgage had been paid in full, and Daniel Montgomery had full title of the property returned to him.6

Daniel Montgomery mortgaged the land of Puuloa Salt Works and vicinity to Benjamin F. Angel in 1855. The following deed records that conveyance.

This indenture made and entered into this first day of November A.D. 1855 between Daniel Montgomery of the island of Oahu … of the first part and Benjamin F. Angel of the second part. Witnesseth that the said party of first part for and in consideration of the sum of five thousand dollars to him in hand paid by the party of the second part … hath hereby granted, bargained and sold unto the said Benjamin F. Angel… that certain tract or parcel of land and the improvements thereon situated, lying and being in the island of Oahu … and described and bounded as follows to wit:

Commencing at mauka South corner or point of this land at a place called Lae Kekai at the bend of Pearl River and running along the edge of Pearl River makai side taking the fish ponds call Pamoku, Okiokilipi and Pakule to the open sea. Thence following along the edge of the sea reserving all the reef in front to end of a stone wall by sea on a land called Kupaka at the mauka West corner of the land. Thence running North 25 East 283 direct including two thousand two hundred and forty four acres.

Said land so described being known and designated as the Puuloa Salt Works. To have and to hold the above described tract of land with the buildings and improvements thereon unto the said Benjamin F. Angel, his heirs, executors and assigns forever. This conveyance is intended as a mortgage to secure the payment of the sum of five thousand dollars in the year from the date of these presents, with interest at the rate of two per cent per month under the condition of a certain promissory note bearing even date.7

On October 31, 1856, Benjamin F. Angel declared that the mortgage had been paid in full, and Daniel Montgomery had full title of the property returned to him.8

Daniel Montgomery conveyed the Puuloa Salt Works and vicinity via the following mortgage deed to James F. B. Marshall in 1857.

This indenture made and entered into this twenty fifth day of May, A.D. Eighteen Hundred & fifty seven. Between Daniel Montgomery of the Island of Oahu… of the first part, and James F. B. Marshall of Honolulu… Witnesseth that the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of Three Thousand Dollars in his hand paid by the party of the second part… hath granted, bargained, and sold… unto the said James F. B. Marshall… all that certain tract or parcel of land with the improvements there on, situate or lying and being in the Island of Oahu… and described & bounded as follows to wit:

Commencing at mauka North corner on point of this land at a place called Lae Hukaa at bend of Pearl River and running along edge of Pearl River, makai side taking in three fish ponds called Pamoku, Okiokilipi and Pakule to open sea; thence following along edge of sea, reserving all the reef in from to end of stone wall by sea in land called Kupaka at the makai west corner of this land; thence running North 25 East 283 direct, including an area of Two thousand two hundred and forty four acres. Said land so described by known and designated as the Puuloa Salt Works. TO have and to hold the above described tract of land with the buildings and improvements there on unto the said James F. B. Marshall… forever.

This conveyance is intended as a mortgage to secure the payment of the sum of Three Thousand Dollars in one year from the date of these present, with interest at the rate of one and one half per cent per month, payable semi-annually according to the conditions of a certain promissory note bearing even date.9

On February 23, 1858, James F. B. Marshall declared that the mortgage had been paid in full, and Daniel Montgomery had full title of the property returned to him.10

Montgomery mortgaged Puuloa Salt Works and vicinity to Henry J. H. Holdsworth in 1858.

Know all men by these presents, that I Daniel Montgomery of Puuloa, Island of Oahu, for & in consideration of the sum of Four Thousand Dollars to me in hand paid by Henry J. H. Holdsworth of Honolulu… do hereby grant, bargain, sell, alien, release & confirm unto the said Henry J. H. Holdsworth… all that tract of Land called & known as the Puuloa Estate and Salt Works on the Island of Oahu which was granted by M. Kekauonohi to Isaac Montgomery by deed dated the 7th day of September 1849 and recorded in Liber 4 on pages 41 & 42, & afterwards legally vested in me by assignment together with houses, buildings & improvements, rights of easements & appurtenances thereunto belonging… To have & to hold the said land & premises unto the said Henry J. H. Holdsworth… forever. But subject to the proviso for redemption herein after contained, that is to say that whereas the said Henry J. H. Holdsworth has this day loaned to the said Daniel Montgomery the sum of Four Thousand Dollars for which and the interest to grow due thereon the said Daniel Montgomery has made this promissory note… of even date herewith payable twelve months after date with interested at Eighteen per cent per annum payable semiannually.11

On May 14, 1859, Henry J. H. Holdsworth declared that the mortgage had been paid in full, and Daniel Montgomery had full title of the property returned to him.12

Montgomery again mortgaged the land in 1859 to Charlotte Coady.

Daniel Montgomery and Charlotte Coady (widow of Richard Coady) of Honolulu, entered into a mortgage deed agreements for the lands known as “All that tract of land called & known as the Puuloa Estate & Salt Works.”

The description of the mortgage agreement follows the same general format as those in preceding years, with conditions being:

The sum of Three Thousand Dollars, payable in two years from date, with interest at the rate of one per cent per month, payable quarterly.13

In 1863, Charlotte Coady declared that the mortgage had been paid in full, and Daniel Montgomery had full title of the property returned to him.14

John Meek deeded the Puuloa Salt Works and vicinity to Puanani in 1866. The following document records that conveyance.

This conveyance of land is executed on this 22nd day of June, 1866, between John Meek of Honolulu… party of the first part, and Puanani (k), heir of the late Kauouo of Honouliuli, Ewa… of the second part. Witnesseth that the party of the first part aforesaid hereby grants bargains and sells to Puanani, his heirs and assigns that parcel of land situated at Honouliuli, known in Royal Patent Number 3091, granted to Kaopala by Kamehameha, and conveyed by Kaopala to John Meek, and known by the following boundaries:

Parcel 5 in Kalokoeli – beginning at the Western corner and running South 56° East 154 links, along Kahawai; North 27° East 204 links along Keole; North 83 1/2° West 184 links along Kaalawahi; South 80° West 244 links along Kama to the first corner. .396 acre. And containing all things appertaining to it, being conveyed to Puanani, his heirs and assigns for all time. He has granted to John Meek a parcel of land as described

The party of the second part aforesaid hereby conveys and grants by this instrument unto John Meek, his heirs and assigns all that parcel of land situated at Honouliuli, Ewa, Oahu, which was granted to Kauouo in confirmation of Land Commission Award No. 756, and inherited by me from Kauouo, known by the boundaries given below. The moo land of Maui in the ili of Kaaumakua, Honouliuli E. O. Beginning at the North Eastern corner and running South 4° East 6.42 chains along the boundary of Mokumeha; then South 70° West 2.35 chains along the boundary of the pa aina; thence North 10° 3.78 chains along the boundary of Kanuwahine; thence North 30° West 3.14 chains to the corner; thence North 72° East 1.82 chains along the land boundary of Wahinenui; thence East 2.80 chains to the point of commencement. Containing 1 acre 9.22 chains total, along with all things appertaining there. Being conveyed to John Meek, his heirs and assigns for all time. This being granted in exchange for the land granted to Puanani, as described above.15

In 1862, Daniel Montgomery transferred his interest in the Puuloa Salt Works to Isaac Montgomery.

Know all men by these presents that I the undersigned Daniel Montgomery of Honolulu … for & in consideration of the sum of one dollar to me in hand paid by Isaac Montgomery of the same place … do grant, bargain, & sell unto the said Isaac Montgomery all my right, title & interest in & to the Estate known as “The Puuloa Salt Works” on the island of Oahu, being the same Estate conveyed to me by C. W. Vincent by a certain instrument dated the 19th day of June A.D. one thousand eight hundred & fifty five & of Record in the Office of the Registrar of Conveyances in Liber 7 on pages 108 & 109, & miscellaneous records. To have & to hold thee above described property unto the said Isaac Montgomery, his heirs & assigns forever.16

Later, in 1863, Isaac Montgomery and wife sold the Puuloa Salt Works to Prescove S. Wilcox and Charles L. Richards.

Know all men by these presents that we the undersigned Isaac Montgomery and Kepani Montgomery his wife for & in consideration of Ten Thousand and Seventy Nine Dollars to us in hand paid, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained and sold … unto Prescove S. Wilcox and Charles L. Richards of Honolulu… all that tract or parcel of land situated on the Island of Oahu known as the “Puuloa Salt Works” being the tract of land conveyed to Isaac Montgomery by a certain Deed from M. Kekauluohi [Kekauonohi] dated the 7th day of Sept. A.D. 1849 together with all the buildings, improvements & appurtenances thereto belonging or thereon situated…

To have & to hold to the said Prescove S. Wilcox and Charles L. Richards, their heirs & assigns forever.17

The confirmation of the transaction is below.

Know all men that whereas Isaac Montgomery and Kepani his wife have this day made to us [Wilcox and Richards] a Deed conveying the Estate known as the Puuloa Salt Works, and another Estate in the said Deed described as having been conveyed to Daniel Montgomery by Henry Chamberlain on the 6th day of August 1855. Now therefor it has been understood & agreed between us, that we the undersigned shall receive all the product of the said Estate and sell and dispose of the same for the benefit and account of Isaac Montgomery, And that an accurate account shall be kept of all transactions. And an account state each six month. The said Isaac Montgomery to carry on the Estate and at any time when the said Isaac Montgomery his heirs & assigns shall have paid up the sum now advanced by us or anyone on his behalf shall have so paid the said sum & interest advanced as aforesaid. We will & our heirs or assigns shall reconvey to the said Isaac Montgomery his heirs & assigns the said “Puuloa Salt Works” & other Estate by the said Deed of Conveyance above referred to.18

In 1870, Isaac Montgomery deeded the Puuloa Salt Works Estate to Abraham W. Peirce, Ebenezer F. Nye, and Peter C. Jones, Jr.

Know all men by these presents that I, Isaac Montgomery of Honolulu, Island of Oahu … for and in consideration of the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars to me in hand paid by Abraham W. Peirce, Ebenezer F. Nye and Peter C. Jones, Jr., all of Honolulu… have given, granted, bargained, and conveyed … unto the said Abraham W. Peirce, Ebenezer F. Nye and Peter C. Jones, Jr., their heirs and assigns forever, all that tract or parcel of land situate on the island of Oahu … known as the Puuloa Salt Works, being the same estate as conveyed to me by M. Kekauonohi by deed dated the 7th day of September A.D. 1849, and recorded in the Registry Office in Honolulu in Liber 4 on pages 41 and 42, and therein more fully bounded and described; and also all buildings, erections, structures, improvements, salt in bulk, or in vats, furniture in the houses, cattle, horses, carts, boats, canoes, nets and all other property of whatsoever name and nature on the said Puuloa Estate being together with all the rights, privileges, tenements, hereditaments, to the said premises belonging… and all my right, title, interest, claim and demand, in law and in equity in the said above granted premises.19

Subsequently, Peirce, Nye, and Jones mortgaged the said estate to Montgomery.

Know all men by these presents that whereas we, Abraham W. Peirce, Ebenezer F. Nye and Peter C. Jones, Jr. … are justly indebted to Isaac Montgomery… at the day of these presents in the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars, half of the purchase money of the estate known as the Puuloa Works for which we have given our joint note, therefore for the better securing of the payment of said note, we have given, granted, bargained, sold and conveyed… unto the said Isaac Montgomery, his heirs and assigns forever, all that tract or parcel of land… known as the “Puuloa Salt Works… ”

To have and to hold the same with the appurtenances unto the said Isaac Montgomery, his heirs and assigns forever. This conveyance is intended as a Mortgage to secure the payment of a certain promissory note for the said sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars, dated the 20th day of April A.D. 1870… and payable to the said Isaac Montgomery on order in two years from date with interest at nine per cent per annum.20

W. C. Parke, executor of the estate of Isaac Montgomery, declared that the Mortgage had been paid in full in 1874.21

1Liber 3, p. 212–213, July 16, 1847.
2Translated by Maly.
3January 12, 1848.
4Translated by Maly.
5Liber 6, p. 363–365, November 4, 1854.
6Ibid., p. 364.
7Liber 6, p. 762–763, November 1, 1855.
8Ibid., p. 762.
9Liber 9, p. 266–267, May 25, 1857.
10Ibid., p. 266.
11Liber 10, p. 164–165, February 24, 1858.
12Ibid., p. 164.
13Liber 11, p. 502–503.
14Ibid., p. 502, February 23, 1863.
15Liber 12, p. 357–358, June 22, 1866. Translated by Maly.
16Liber 16, p. 258, December 28, 1862.
17Liber 16, p. 259–260, January 17, 1863.
18Liber 16, p. 260, February 17, 1863.
19Liber 31, p. 24–25, April 20, 1870.
20Liber 31, p. 25–27, April 20, 1870.
21Ibid., p. 26, May 6, 1874.

Honouliuli: Significant Occurrences in Land Tenure and Land Use, 1836–1910

There are thousands of references contributing to the history of Honouliuli Ahupuaa. From those references are found classes of information covering such topics as

•  Residency: land ownership and access;
•  Paakai: salt making;
•  Kai lawaia: fisheries and access;
•  Ranches and the land development programs in Honouliuli;
•  Water development, railroads, and the Ewa Plantation; and
•  Military condemnation of Honouliuli lands and offshore waters.

The selected narratives categorized as Land Use: Development Period provide eyewitness accounts to historic events. While there are few identifiable references for the immediate area of the Hoakalei program, the narratives give us an historical context for understanding changes on the land since western Contact.