1916 Kobayashi Shoten Plantation Store Kahului Maui Hawaii Letterhead Estate Sale

Original Antique Letter . . . dated December 19, 1916 (in Japanese). . . 8 1/2” x 11” . . . Territory of Hawaii . . . Kahului

Kobayashi Shoten was a prominent Japanese-owned general store (shoten) in Lahaina, Maui, during the 1910s. Located in the heart of West Maui's booming sugar plantation era, it served as a vital community hub where locals purchased daily provisions, imported goods, and gathered for news.

Era & Setting: Lahaina transitioned heavily from the whaling era to a massive sugar production center, seeing an influx of Japanese immigrant laborers. Stores like Kobayashi Shoten were essential for supplying these workers and their families with both familiar Japanese products and American staples.

Community Hub: Like many "mom and pop" general stores of its time across the Hawaiian islands, Kobayashi Shoten functioned as an informal community center for the plantation workers and local fishermen

Excuse my attempt at translation (AI): 

“Deep within the forest grove, the clappers echo loudly”    (Mori no uchi  ~  Naruko  ~  Takataka)

P.S. Estate Sale –

Day of parting/separation day

Sorting, classifying, or organizing items - Selling off the goods/possessions of a household

Condition:    Good condition – general age toning and edge wear . . . light water stain on lower left corner  ~  two hole punched at top – please review the photos

Look at my feedback and bid with confidence!  ~  I combine shipping  ~  Thanks for looking!  14542