Imagine standing on a volcanic mountain range overlooking acres of lush grass and seeing the Pacific Ocean in the distance and the island of Maui rising above the clouds. Now add beef cattle to the scene. Our travel to the Big Island of Hawaii included just that view.
When we selected Hawaii as a winter destination we didn't have beef farming and ranching on the "reasons to go" list. However, with some online searching and tips from Instagramers we arrived knowing there is a long established beef industry on the Big Island of Hawaii.
It's a fascinating history! Beef cattle first came to the island as a gift to King Kamehameha I from Capt. George Vancouver in 1793. Over time and with many hardships the cattle herd developed. The paniolo (cowboy) developed cattle handling traditions that continue today. Parker Ranch in the Waimea area was the centre of cattle country for both ranching and community life. We visited the original homestead and were immersed in the story of cattle ranching in paradise.
After visiting Parker Ranch Headquarters, we continued further up the Kohala Mountain. The highlight of our day was ahead of us - Ponoholo Ranch. With breathtaking views and cattle grazing in pastures along the roadside we knew this was a once in a lifetime adventure. Ponoholo is an 11,000 acre ranch and is at an altitude of 4800 ft. The island of Maui can be seen in the distance.
We met up with Chris English who greeted us with the same genuine "Aloha" that we enjoyed throughout our trip. We talked cattle breeds, grazing practices, kinds of grasses, environmental management, calving experiences and marketing opportunities. It was a great afternoon. We even did a pasture check for new calves. Sabrina, Chris's wife, joined us as our discussions continued on. She and Chris are the management team for the ranch. The Ponoholo Ranch herd is the second largest on the island. The cattle graze in managed pastures. They finish some cattle for market on the island. Others go to be part of a grass finished beef program in Oregon.
Our day ended with a sunset horseback ride along the especially picturesque paths of the ranch. Old Bill, the most experienced horse in the group, maintained an easy pace for Joan the least experienced rider in the group. Elgin proved to be a natural on horseback, however, he learned that riding tall in the saddle one day does not mean you'll be able to walk tall the next day.
Throughout the rest of our vacation we saw many beef cattle farms. Grazing happens year round and there are few buildings on their farms. Restaurants featured beef as main menu selections with kalbi ribs, steaks, and brisket being the most popular. Classic and specialty burgers were fun to try. McDonald's serves a McTeri burger along with Haupi pie. A choice unique to Hawaii.
Hawaii was a wonderful destination for a winter vacation. We enjoyed many sights and experiences. Our days learning about cattle ranching in paradise were the highlights. Aloha!
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