Kahuku Ranch

Photo by NWHIT

Kahuku Ranch on Island of Hawai`i now part of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park

116,000 acres purchased for $22 million from the Damon Estate

Located on the slopes of the active volcano Mauna Loa, Kahuku is the largest ahupua`a in Hawai`i. It belonged to William Pitt Leleiohoku of the Kamehameha line in 1848 and sold for 5 cents an acre to Charles Harris in 1861. A cattle ranch since the 1860s, it passed through several hands until the Damon Estate bought it in 1958.

In July 2003 with the help of the Nature Conservancy, it became part of the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Since then, the park service has been trying to restore the land to native plants and animals.

Because restoration is not complete, access is limited but the park tries to offer to the public hikes and other programs at least once a month.

The next guided hike takes place on Oct. 15th from 9:30am to noon. For more information, contact Ruth Levin at (808) 985-6014.