When did Rum Production in Hawaii Cease?

[ralph124c]

Years ago, i remember seeing an ad for Leilani hawaiin Rum. It is no longer made. knowing that hawaii still grows a lot of sugar cane, why is rum no longer made there?
Are there any new entrants into the business?

[samclem]

Between 1961 and 1967, in cooperation with Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, HC&S operated a rum distillery in a Seagram structure adjoining the Puunene factory. Ethanol produced from cane sugar molasses was blended in Seagram’s Leilani brand rum and sold in Hawaii and on the mainland. Seagram’s terminated operations in 1967, and A&B acquired ownership of the distillery in 1976. Maui Distillers, Inc. purchased the plant in 1980, refurbished it, and produced rum for awhile. The company closed in 1986.

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[Q.E.D]

Hawaii will once again produce rum.

[astorian]

In general, sugar production in Hawaii has been declining for years, mainly because the land has become so valuable, farmers saw they could make a hell of a lot more money by selling the land than by growing sugar.

A lot of the condos and hotels and strip malls you see all over the islands are sitting on land that used to be sugar plantations.

[Slithy_Tove]

But what of the Hawiian traditon of spurious advertising?

Legend has it that early seafarers rattled vanilla beans in empty rum bottles at sunset to entice migrating whales to their boats to guide them to the tropical haven known as Hawaii.