Statewide County HI Archives Biographies.....Lucas, George May 7, 1821 - March 2, 1892
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
J. Orr orr@hawaii.com October 5, 2009, 7:12 pm

Source: The Story of Hawaii and Its Builders. Published by The Honolulu Star Bulletin, Territory of Hawaii, 1925
Author: Edited by George F. Nellist

GEORGE LUCAS, Pioneer Honolulu Builder. George Lucas, one of the first 
contractors and builders in Honolulu, who died here on March 2, 1892, erected 
many of the business buildings of the city, established the Honolulu Planing 
Mill, was the founder and first president of the old Mechanics’ Library, now 
the Honolulu Library, and in many other ways contributed to civic advancement.
  Mr. Lucas had an interesting career. In 1849 he left Australia for the 
California gold mines, seeing Hawaii for the first time when the sailing 
vessel on which he traveled en route for San Francisco stopped here three 
weeks to re-provision. Mr. Lucas reached California on the last day of 
December, 1849, but gave up the idea of going to the gold mines, deciding to 
remain in San Francisco and establish himself as a carpenter.
  He could not forget Hawaii, however, and in July, 1856, he returned here to 
make his home. With the late Robert Lewers, of Lewers & Cooke, Mr. Lucas 
worked on the building of the old Customs House. In 1864 he began his 
contracting and building business, and founded the Honolulu Planing Mill. 
Although the plant began in a small way, turning out finishings and equipment 
needed by Mr. Lucas for his contracting jobs, its volume of business grew 
steadily and at the time of Mr. Lucas’ death it was the largest concern of its 
kind in the islands, a leadership that it still maintains. All of the interior 
work in the old Palace, now the Capitol, was turned out by Mr. Lucas and he 
erected the Campbell Block, the old Pantheon Block, and many other large 
downtown buildings. The old Royal Hawaiian Hotel, once the resort of kings, 
now the Army & Navy Y.M.C.A., was built under government supervision, Mr. 
Lucas being responsible for all the woodwork construction of the building.
  For many years Mr. Lucas was chief engineer of the Honolulu Volunteer Fire 
Department, and during the reign of King Kalakaua he was offered the position 
of superintendent of public works, but declined it.
  Mr. Lucas was a native of Ireland, born on May 7, 1821. His father, the 
first George Lucas, was sent to Australia by the British government to take 
charge of the government domain there. In 1849 in Australia, George Lucas 
married Sarah Williams, of Limerick, Ireland, and of their nine children, the 
seven who lived were Thomas (now deceased), Charles, John, George, Albert, 
William Lucas and Mrs. Eliza Dunbar. Of the sons who worked with their father 
in the planing mill, John Lucas is now president and manager of the company 
operating it.


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