Hawaii: The Big Five

- - Prologue of History Until statehood, Hawaii was ruled economically by a consortium of corporations known as the 'Big Five': C. Brewer and Co., sugar, ranching, and chemicals, founded in 1826; Theo. H. Davies & Co., sugar, investments, insurance, and transportation, founded in 1845; Amfac Inc. (originally H. Hackfield Inc.-a German firm that changed its name and ownership during the anti-German sentiment of WW I to American Factors), sugar, insurance, and land development, founded in 1849; Castle …

…between price per pound and cherry later in this article.) It wasn't until the influx of haoles (Hawaiian slang word for Caucasian main landers) in the early 1970's that the local Kona coffee industry began to monitor and administer its own market. Today's push for purity, up scaled means of production, direct marketing by the farmer and the gourmet reputation of the product has proven to be a lucrative means to achieving a stable marketplace.