Born in East Greenwich , Rhode Island , in 1853 he joined his brother Thomas in Hilo in the ship chandler trade . On the island of Hawaii , Charles and Thomas ran a general mercantile store , operated a sugar cane business , and engaged in the exporting of sugarcane and pulu . The 7.9 magnitude 1868 Hawaii earthquake , also referred to as " The Great Ka`u Earthquake " , occurred near the southern tip of the island of Hawaii . It triggered landslides , volcanic eruptions and a tsunami , destroying the economy on the island . As a result , the Spencer brothers relocated to Honolulu and continued in the mercantile trade . Charles eventually formed a partnership with John Smith Walker and William G. Irwin , a business associate of Claus Spreckels , to operate the Hilea Sugar Plantation . The plantation was sold in 1879
1868 Hawaii earthquake
1868 Hawaii earthquake
Charles Nichols Spencer