Federation Camp at Kaiolohia Bay

Information about the Federation organization and their Federation Camp fishing village at Kaiolohia bay near Shipwreck Beach on the island of Lanai in Hawaii.

About Kaiolohia Bay and the NOAA's Lanai Project
The Hawaiian word "Kaiolohia" describes the smooth sea of this sheltered bay at the eastern end of Shipwreck Beach. The area is also sometimes known simply as "Shipwreck." During an NOAA reconnaissance of their Lanai Project survey area in June 2009, project staff received permission to establish the survey camp at Kaiolohia Bay. They Set up tents around the group of the buildings known as Federation Camp.

Federation Camp Background Information
Federation Camp itself has a fascinating history relating directly to the plantation period in the Hawaiian Islands. For many years, the island of Lanai was the largest pineapple plantation in the world, owned by Dole Pineapple Company (later Dole Food Corporation). Plantation laborers came from many different locations. By the 1930’s, Lanai’s population reflected a multicultural plantation society: Korean, Puerto Rican, Chinese, Caucasian, Portuguese, Hawaiian, Japanese, and Filipino.

About the Federation Organization and Their Camp
The Filipino Federation of America (FFA) was a mutual aid society, formed in 1925 in response to contract labor migration and the difficult working conditions throughout the Pacific region. Some of the beach shacks on Lanai’s coast were built in the 1940’s by the local FFA organization as a meeting place, a place to relax during the brief respite from field labor. Some of the timbers used in the construction of the camp came from the 19th century ruins of the Maunalei Sugar Company village at Keomoku. Over the years these shacks have been maintained by local families as recreational spots. The 2009 NOAA survey team was fortunate to have shelter for the food stores and equipment, and camp at a location associated with plantation history while diving on a plantation-era steam vessel.

Resource: Naval Ocean and Atmospheric Administration

More About Federation Camp

Lanai Guide App "Federation Group" Article

Pierce Myers "Federation Camp" Photograph

Lanai Magazine "Federation Camp" Paragraph

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Visitor Attractions on Lanai Island

Lanai Island Travel Guide

Visitor Destinations in Hawaii

Hawaii for Visitors

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