J G SERRAO

Coming of Prohibition to Hawaii was met by J. G. Serrao, formerly engaged in conducting a winery at Kaumana, three miles above Hilo, with much of the same forcible spirit that has characterized his business life, during which he has become a man of financial means, with many friends and considerable leadership on the Big Island.

Turning from the making of wine, he began building up a market for an unfermented juice, now sold throughout the island group as "Serrao's Own Isabella Grape Juice." Being as good or better than any imported from the mainland, this grape juice soon found general favor.

Mr. Serrao came to the islands in July, 1883, and for five months was located at Pa'auhau. He then moved to Hilo, where six months later he and his brother, the late A. G. Serrao, started a store. After three and a half years, he bought his brother out and conducted the store for sixteen years. At the end of this period, he sold out to another brother and bought 88 acres of land at Kaumana, where he began planting grapes. Eighteen acres of this land, upon which he has built a fine home overlooking Hilo Bay and the adjacent coast line, is now planted to grapes.

*ref : 1820-1920 Centenary Number, Apr. 1920, Honolulu Star Bulletin publisher.