Parker Ranch facts for kids
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Parker Ranch is a famous and very large cattle ranch located on the Island of Hawaii. It is one of the oldest and biggest ranches in the United States. Today, the ranch is managed by a charitable trust, which means its profits are used to help the local community.
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History of the Ranch
The story of Parker Ranch is a big part of Hawaii's history. It began long before many famous ranches on the U.S. mainland.
How It All Began
The ranch was started in 1847 by a man named John Palmer Parker. He came to Hawaii and helped King Kamehameha I with a big problem: wild cattle were roaming the island and causing trouble. As a reward for his help, the king gave Parker land. On this land, he started what would become the Parker Ranch.
For many years, the ranch grew. From 1899 to 1937, it was managed by Alfred Wellington Carter, who helped make it even more successful.
The Ranch in World War II
During World War II, a part of the ranch became a training base for the United States Marine Corps. The base was called Camp Tarawa. Thousands of Marines from the Second and Fifth Marine Divisions trained here. They prepared for important battles like the one on Iwo Jima.
A New Chapter for the Ranch
The last private owner of the ranch was Richard Smart. When he passed away in 1992, he left the ranch to the Parker Ranch Foundation Trust. This trust makes sure that the money earned by the ranch helps important local places. These include the North Hawaii Community Hospital and schools like Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Parker School.
Life on the Ranch Today
Parker Ranch is still a working cattle ranch. It covers about 130,000 acres (53,000 ha), making it one of the largest ranches in the United States.
What is a Paniolo?
In Hawaii, a cowboy is called a paniolo. This word comes from the first cowboys who came to Hawaii from Mexico and spoke Spanish (Español). The Hawaiian language changed the word "Español" into "Paniolo." These skilled riders are a big part of the ranch's culture and history.
Helping the Community
In 2014, Parker Ranch started a project with Ulupono Initiative called the Paniolo Cattle Company. The goal was to raise more local, grass-fed beef for the people of Hawaii. This was a big step in providing more fresh, local food across the state.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the ranch showed its community spirit. It canceled its yearly rodeo and instead donated 6,500 pounds (2,900 kg) of beef to families in need.
Visiting the Ranch
You can visit parts of the ranch to learn about its history. Two of the old family homes, Puuopelu and Mana Hale, are open for tours. They are located just outside the town of Waimea. The ranch also has an arena and a racetrack where it holds a rodeo and horse races every year on the Fourth of July.
Family Tree
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