Don't discount Gabriel Davion ?
The slide guitar developed in many cultures around the world, but there are many deep connections between Hawaiian guitar and Indian music. The earliest known report of anyone playing slide guitar in Hawaii dates from 1876, when Gabriel Davion, an Indian boy kidnapped by Portuguese sailors and brought to Hawaii, is reported to have been playing slide guitar on his lap. Of course, there are Indian string instruments that utilize slide known to have existed since the 11th century A.D.
AND :-
After leasing Campbell's ‘Ewa and Kahuku land in order to start two sugar plantations Dillingham obtained a government charter for a railroad. It was granted by King David Kalakaua on September 11, 1888, and soon after the OR&L was organized. After securing the necessary capital, Dillingham broke ground in March 1889 with a goal of connecting the twelve miles between Honolulu and ‘Aiea (as demanded in the charter) by the fall of 1889. On November 16, 1889, the king's birthday, the OR&L officially opened for traffic, giving free rides to more than 4,000 curious and excited people that day. Over the next ten years the OR&L would see exponential growth.
BROKE GROUND in March 1889..?
So the railroad only got permission to START building in September 1888 and the laying of tracks started in March 1889.. NO Earlier..not even on the sugar plantations because.. :-
Ewa 1
Built 1890 by Baldwin Locomotive Works
Wheel Arrangement: 0-4-2T with tender
Weight: 12 tons
First steam locomotive used on the Ewa
Sugar Plantation.