The 201-day strike that changed how Dole treated workers across Hawaii

Pedro de la Cruz’s 201-Day Lanai Strike Victory

In 1951, eight hundred workers on Lanai stood alone against Dole, the world’s biggest pineapple company. For 201 days, they held firm while every other Hawaiian island gave in.

Led by Filipino labor organizer Pedro de la Cruz, these workers built soup kitchens, hunted food, and even made Keiki Pond at Hulopoe Bay for their kids to swim in.

Women cooked meals, took phone shifts, and kept spirits high.

When the dust cleared, they won more than they asked for – not just for themselves but for 9,000 pineapple workers across Hawaii.

Today, Hulopoe Bay still holds the story of how David beat Goliath on an island where the company once owned everything.

Union Organizers Risked Everything on Dole’s Company Island

Pedro de la Cruz quit his job as a Filipino field boss to organize workers at Hawaiian Pineapple Company in 1946. The company tried to hire him back, knowing he threatened their control.

Organizers like Hashimoto and Shiro Hokama signed up members in secret, going house to house. They met late at night because talking union meant getting fired.

Lanai was truly Dole’s town – they controlled housing and all travel to and from the island. Workers built their union carefully and quietly.

The 1947 Strike Failed When Students Crossed Picket Lines

Lanai workers learned hard lessons during their failed 1947 strike.

Field workers stayed solid, but about 10,000 seasonal college and high school students working in Honolulu canneries crossed picket lines. Union leaders told Lanai workers to accept defeat and prepare for another fight.

The loss showed them the need for unity.

Despite this setback, workers gained solidarity, especially after union members blocked a barge from loading stored pineapples at Lanai harbor.

Dole’s Cruel Treatment of Filipino Workers Backfired

Hawaiian Pineapple Company hired Filipino workers in 1946 but then suddenly fired many, giving them just hours to leave the island. The company even stopped farewell parties with friends.

This harsh treatment made workers of all backgrounds angry. An elderly Japanese man gave money to help the fired Filipino workers.

De la Cruz made sure everyone knew about this act of kindness to build unity across ethnic groups.

Companies Tried to Break Union Power Through Divide-and-Conquer

Hawaiian pineapple companies forced the union to negotiate with each company separately after the 1947 strike defeat.

By 1951, workers at all other pineapple farms across Hawaii took small wage offers of 8 cents per hour. Only Lanai workers said no and voted to strike.

ILWU officers Lou Goldblatt and Bob Robertson warned Lanai they needed over $20,000 monthly to keep a strike going.

Lanai workers kept asking, “Do we have the right to strike? ” When told yes, they decided to fight.

Lanai Workers Stood Alone Against Hawaii’s Most Powerful Company

All 800 pineapple workers on Lanai walked out on February 27, 1951, while every other pineapple farm in Hawaii kept working.

One striker said, “I felt kind of bad about that, but I figured if we could gain something out of this it would be better for everybody.”

The company couldn’t bring in new workers because Lanai was an island where they controlled all transportation. Workers took a “go for broke” approach.

De la Cruz Created a Strike Community That Kept Everyone Fed

Strike leader Pedro de la Cruz set up committees for hunting, fishing, and what workers called “bumming” (gathering food and supplies).

Everyone got specific jobs, and those who skipped work lost their food for the weekend. Workers handled leaflets, typing, and communication with other islands.

De la Cruz turned the strike into a community effort rather than just stopping work, which kept spirits high during the long fight.

Women Became the Backbone of the Seven-Month Strike

Women volunteers ran soup kitchens cooking three meals daily throughout the entire seven-month strike. They took phone shifts talking with other islands and planned activities between meal prep.

Many played volleyball and hung out while on duty. Children thought the whole thing was like a big party.

The kitchens gave extra food to scared families to build loyalty. After the strike ended, many women became union leaders, taking roles in the fields.

Strikers Built a Children’s Swimming Pond That Still Exists Today

During the strike, workers carved out Keiki Pond at Hulopoe Bay from lava rock as a community project. They made a safe wading pool where kids could swim protected from dangerous ocean waves.

Workers took on many community projects during the strike, building things that would help island families for generations. The pond still exists today and island children and families use it.

Solidarity Poured in From Workers Across the Hawaiian Islands

Pineapple workers on other islands sent food and money throughout all seven months to support Lanai strikers. Workers across Hawaii knew that if Lanai lost, the company would break the union everywhere.

The ILWU gave money despite officers first warning against the strike. Support came from union members statewide who saw Lanai fighting for all of them.

Goldblatt’s Brilliant Strategy Won More Than Workers Asked For

After seven months, ILWU negotiator Lou Goldblatt suggested reopening all pineapple contracts to settle the Lanai strike.

Instead of the 12 cents Lanai wanted (while others took 8 cents), he got 15 cents per hour for Lanai workers. All other pineapple farms got an extra 7 cents per hour, giving 9,000 workers raises.

The deal forced the industry back into group bargaining, fixing what they lost in 1947.

The 201-Day Strike Changed Social Relations Forever on Lanai

Workers returned victorious after striking from February 27 to September 14, 1951, winning more than they originally demanded.

Bosses began treating workers better, mingling at social events and settling grievances without fights. Supervisors who previously hid on cliffs spying on workers started treating them as equals.

Workers no longer faced the harsh treatment where bosses ignored safety concerns or better work methods.

The social relations on the island transformed completely, proving that standing together could force even the most powerful companies to respect workers and their rights.

Visiting Lanai’s Hulopoe Bay, Hawaii

You can reach Hulopoe Bay with a 10-minute walk from Manele Harbor after taking the Expeditions Ferry from Maui (3 daily trips, about 70 minutes).

This free public beach was near the 1951 pineapple strike where 800 workers fought Dole for 201 days.

Learn about labor leader Pedro de la Cruz and the strike at Lanai Culture & Heritage Center on Lanai Avenue, open weekdays 11am-3pm. The beach has restrooms, showers, and picnic areas.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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