APEC 2011 Hawaii — Historical Tidbits — Ice From Boston
Editor’s note: Honolulu’s visitors have told fascinating stories over the years. Civil Beat looked through vintage news clippings to give today’s APEC visitors a sense of the history of visits to this place. Look for a historical tidbit every day through Nov. 13. With thanks to Pake Zane and Julie Lauster of Antique Alley.
One thing we take for granted in Honolulu is ice for our shave ice, ice coffee and, yes, ice water.
But that hasn’t always been the case.
It was in 1858 that C.H. Lewers built the first ice house at the foot of Nuuanu St. An article from 1931 in the now-defunct Honolulu Star-Bulletin quotes a 19th century journal.
“It was built of wood, double sided, the space being filled with charcoal. Ice was to be brought from Boston and the first lot of 400 tons landed from the Mountain Wave on Oct. 14. Every one who could afford it bought ice at 25 cents a pound. Several large shipments came and then the importation was discontinued. The last shipment was in July 1859. Five hundred tons came and sold at 5 cents a pound.”
To , 25 cents in 1858 would be $6.83 in 2011.
