Founded in Hawaii in 1851, the company built its reputation on its commitment to "quality, and quality". These were the words of James Drummond Dole's "Statement of principles, "upon which he founded and operated the company. James Dole came to Hawaii with an intial invesment of $1000, degree in business and horticulture and a love of farming. With these, he began the first successful pineapple growing and canning operation, then called the Hawaiian Pineapple Company.