James Bicknell Castle

James Bicknell Castle (November 27, 1855 – April 5, 1918) was a Hawaiian businessman in the times of the Kingdom of Hawaii, Republic of Hawaii and Territory of Hawaii.

Life James Bicknell Castle was born November 27, 1855, in Honolulu. His father was Samuel Northrup Castle (1808–1894), and mother was Mary Tenney Castle (1819–1907). He attended Punahou School 1867–1873, and then Oberlin College. He greatly expanded Castle & Cooke in the sugar and railroad industries. He is credited with winning control of the Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company from Claus Spreckels in 1898, which he sold to Alexander & Baldwin for a large share of their stock. This episode resulting in a lawsuit by the former manager of the plantation, William J. Lowrie. He bought large amounts of land, such as Kaneohe Ranch.

During the decade up to 1906, he tried to lure white labor colonists to the Islands. A failed effort was organized by Peter Demens who arranged to bring all Spiritual Christians from Russia, who were immigrating to Canada, whom he diverted to Los Angeles, to Hawaii. This first Russian labor experiment failed within six months and cost Castle about $30,000.

He built a large house called Kainalu near Diamond Head. When the Honolulu Rapid Transit & Land Co. was in danger of failing, he used his financial resources to keep the effort alive. They also had two sons Nelson Northrop (1885) and Kenneth Kingsbury (1888) who both died young.

He and his wife are buried in the cemetery at Kawaiahaʻo Church, across the street from where he was born. James B. Castle High School and the Castle Medical Center are named for him.

Family tree