Kauai’s Historic Irrigation Tunnels: Water, Labor & Island Legacy
Island Emory takes The Little Grass Shack to Kauai for a journey through the island’s historic irrigation tunnels—remarkable structures carved through volcanic rock that helped transform agriculture and life on the Garden Isle.
Learn why plantation-era irrigation systems were needed, how thousands of workers—including Native Hawaiians and immigrants from Japan, China, the Philippines and Portugal—helped build them, and how engineers used gravity, precise angles, ditches, flumes and tunnels to move water across Kauai’s rugged terrain.
Emory also shares his own experience tubing through the tunnels and explores how these once-essential agricultural lifelines have become historic landmarks and visitor destinations. Along the way, the conversation turns to preservation, safety, cultural respect and the importance of remembering the labor and sacrifice behind the places visitors enjoy today.
Plus, enjoy nearly two hours of Hawaiian music, island favorites and the spirit of aloha from 91.5 Jazz & More KUNV.
The Little Grass Shack — your source for island stories, island music and the spirit that connects generations.
