Lanai Pineapple Festival
LCA Brief History
Lana’i Community Association (LCA) is the oldest non-profit organization currently operating on the island of Lana’i. LCA serves as the equivalent to the United Way on other islands. LCA started in the 1940s and has been active in the community ever since. Originally LCA operated the theater and the bowling alley (until the 1950s). They have continued to provide support for local groups, including youth sports and activities and special events. LCA started the annual Christmas celebration for the children of the town with visitation by Santa and photos with Santa in the mid 1980s. They continue to be one of the main sponsors of the Tree Lighting Ceremony currently held on the first week-end of December.
LCA has been the parent organization for many of the newer non-profits on Lana’i. LCA wrote the original grants for the Lana’i Youth Center and for the Coalition for a Drug Free Lana’i. LCA continued to administer both organizations until they were able to receive their own non-profit status. LCA wrote the original grant for the Youth Center and was the sponsoring organization when Lana’i received the federal grant for the Coalition for the Drug Free Lana’i.
Brief history of the Pineapple Festival:
In 1976 LCA received some funds from the County for a Bi-centennial event. LCA scheduled a day of activities in the park with an evening program including fireworks. LCA continued the event as their annual fund raising kick-off for many years.
Lana’i’s Pineapple Festival was conceived in 1992. Initially, this event was a two day event formerly known as the “Pineapple Jam.” The island was known to be the largest pineapple plantation in the world, therefore, the event was intended to honor
the pineapple history. The previous organizers of the event scheduled the festival in conjunction with Castle and Cooke Resorts’ Kaamaina month promotion to boost the island economy during this traditionally slow season for travel to Lana’i
LCA has been the parent organization for many of the newer non-profits on Lana’i. LCA wrote the original grants for the Lana’i Youth Center and for the Coalition for a Drug Free Lana’i. LCA continued to administer both organizations until they were able to receive their own non-profit status. LCA wrote the original grant for the Youth Center and was the sponsoring organization when Lana’i received the federal grant for the Coalition for the Drug Free Lana’i.
Brief history of the Pineapple Festival:
In 1976 LCA received some funds from the County for a Bi-centennial event. LCA scheduled a day of activities in the park with an evening program including fireworks. LCA continued the event as their annual fund raising kick-off for many years.
Lana’i’s Pineapple Festival was conceived in 1992. Initially, this event was a two day event formerly known as the “Pineapple Jam.” The island was known to be the largest pineapple plantation in the world, therefore, the event was intended to honor
the pineapple history. The previous organizers of the event scheduled the festival in conjunction with Castle and Cooke Resorts’ Kaamaina month promotion to boost the island economy during this traditionally slow season for travel to Lana’i