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After the introduction of cattle to the Hawaiian Islands by Captain Vancouver in the late 1700's many great ranches were established in Hawaii. By the early 1900's Pu'u Wa'awa'a Ranch, with more than 100,000 acres of land leased from the government, was the second largest on the Island. Eben Low and Robert Hind established the Ranch in 1894. Cattle were raised on the ranch and driven through the lava fields to Kiholo Bay and/or Kawaihae to be shipped. In the early days, the distance to market, traveling through rough lava trails, the sparse rainfall, and the large investment required to build the necessary improvements, made ranching very challenging to the ranchers and the Hawaiian paniolos (cowboys). Life had to be self-sustainable, since the small settlements of Kailua and Waimea were many hours away. The Hind family owned and resided at the Ranch until the late 1950's. Robert Hind became a Hawaii Territorial Senator in 1916.
The Hinds built Pihanakalani, their residence, in 1905. Many dignitaries and friends visited the Hind family. One of the signatures in their guest book is of Queen Liliuokalani. Still gracing the landscaping are some of the old structures from the Ranch operation, such as the water cistern, corrals, the paniolos' recreation room, and the butchery as well as many miles of stonewalls. Although reduced, a cattle operation still exists in the lands surrounding the Headquarters.
Our hope is that the Pu'u Wa'awa'a Ranch Headquarters will continue to withstand the changes of time and that it will still be here for many generations to enjoy. Pictures provided by the Kona Historical Society
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