LIHUE - The Kauai Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 100th anniversary today.
The Garden Island said that the chamber began in 1913 with a meeting of 17 people. It now has 450 members.
The newspaper says when the chamber was formed, sugar plantations had been around for more than 50 years. The chamber's financial records suggest those plantations provided much of the membership dues in the early days.
Chamber President and CEO Randall Francisco said that the chamber's concerns remain much the same today as they have for decades. The list ranges from taxes to health and unemployment insurance to zoning initiatives.'
The chamber is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a fundraiser at the Sheraton Kauai Resort.
