KAUKONAHUA RANCH
NATIVE FORESTRY
AGRICULTURE
LIVESTOCK
Kaukonahua Ranch is devoted to the restoration, preservation, and mālama ʻāina (responsible care of the land) of more than 2,300 acres of working agricultural and conservation lands in Waialua. We steward these landscapes through sustainable agricultural practices, cattle ranching and reforestation of native Hawaiian species such as koa, ʻiliahi (sandalwood), and lama (Hawaiian ebony), along with comprehensive wildfire mitigation, and endangered species management, while perpetuating ongoing archaeological preservation of wahi kūpuna (ancestral sites).
By offering the community unprecedented access for the first time via thoughtfully designed, accessible trails and infrastructure, the Ranch creates opportunities for ʻike (knowledge) sharing, local employment, and the protection and celebration of Hawaiʻi’s cultural and historical sites. As a living model of responsible resource management and aloha ʻāina (love for the land), Kaukonahua Ranch is committed to minimizing environmental and visual impacts, empowering keiki (children), kūpuna (elders), and all generations to forge meaningful connections with Oʻahu’s rural landscape and heritage for generations to come.
CATTLE
RANCHING
Kaukonahua Ranch is a mountainous ranch with a commitment to diversified agriculture. Cattle ranching has been active here for over 80 years and remains central to our operations. The Ranch has a long-term partnership with Flying W Ranch, one of Oʻahu’s most active cattle, goat and sheep ranchers. We are currently raising over 200 head of cattle that graze and pasture on the Ranch’s various upland and lowland pasture areas on both sides of the Kaukonahua Valley, with 58% of the ranch currently being utilized for agricultural operations. Future expansion plans include sheep and goat herds.
Historically, the valley included settlements with loʻi kalo (taro terraces) and rock wall livestock pens, which are slated for educational and cultural restoration. Our grazing activities play a vital role with our wildfire mitigation objectives to help minimize fuel loads.
NATIVE
REFORESTATION
Since WWII, the Ranch was managed by the U.S. Army and then Dole Food Company, with significant neglect and proliferation of non-native species. Our current vision incudes the restoration of native forest and improved management of existing native species.
An initial forestry zone has been established to test a variety of Waiʻanae koa to select the most vigorous seed stock for future expansion. Some of our seed stock trees now stand over 20 feet in height and we are currently working on propagating koa, ʻIliahi (sandalwood), and lama (Hawaiian ebony) saplings from seeds collected from existing trees on the Ranch.
AGRICULTURAL
CROPS
Working with the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Research Center, we have established several research and development test plots for assessing strain viability and accelerating future crop expansions. Our current crops include papaya, banana, ulu, agave, and dragonfruit. Future expansion will include reintroduction of cultural crops on historical terraces that our archeological team has identified along the Kaukonahua Stream. Plans include reviving cultural farming on historical terraces and providing plots for community members to grow cultural crops for hula halau or lāʻau lapaʻau (traditional Hawaiian plant-based medicine practices).
UPLAND
PRESERVATION
The forest areas on the upper slopes of the Ranch will be preserved and utilized for native species restoration and conservation efforts. Our Ranch’s staff are working with native koa, lama and ʻIliahi in the area to support our native reforestation efforts.
Kaukonahua Ranch has completed a detailed Threatened & Endangered Species survey across the Ranch working in conjunction with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Fish & Wildlife, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Land & Natural Resources and is committed to protecting and conserving large tracts of the Ranch in perpetuity.
Kaukonahua Ranch is working towards providing unprecedented access to the Ranch with guided and unguided activities, like hiking and mountain biking, along with educational and Hawaiian cultural programs for the community to engage with the ʻāina that has been inaccessible for more than 100 years.
Farmers markets will also be a regular activity that will bring our Ranch’s agricultural products directly to the community. Affordable pass rates will be available to all Hawaiʻi residents.
For more information about how our project aligns with the North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan, read our Alignment Analysis.
For further details about the agribusiness activities and structures, please see the FAQs.
AGRIBUSINESS
ARCHAEOLOGY
The Ranch has completed both a Ka Paʻakai Analysis and an Archaeology Inventory Study which have identified some important cultural sites along sections of the Kaukonahua Stream.
Historically, the valley included settlements with loʻi kalo (taro terraces) and rock wall livestock pens, which are slated for educational and cultural restoration. The north part of the Ranch, called Keawawaihe, holds significant historical importance as a site for Hawaiian martial arts (lua) training and as a historic trail connecting Honolulu and Waialua.
We are currently developing a Preservation Plan to codify the highest standard of preserve and protect in place as recognized by the Hawaiʻi State Historic Preservation Department.
Working with ASM Affiliates (archeological consultants), the Ranch is currently developing programming to engage archaeologists, cultural practitioners and students to have access to the significant sites and to study, preserve, restore and maintain these important lands on Oʻahu.
GALLERY
STAY INFORMED
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