Ranching History of Kahoolawe

Information about the cattle, sheep, and goat ranching history of the island of Kahoolawe in Hawaii. in Hawaii.

1858
The Hawaiian government began leasing Kahoolawe lands for ranching purposes, however the lack of fresh water limited the success of those operations. Ranching of cattle, sheep, and goats continued on the island through the 1940's. A negative impact of uncontrolled grazing was the substantial loss of soil due to erosion caused by livestock consuming much of the vegetation on the island.

Between 1941 and 1988 the goat populatio of kahoolawe was as high as 50,000;.

In 1918, the rancher Angus MacPhee of Wyoming, with the help of the landowner Harry Baldwin of Maui, leased the island for 21 years, intending to build a cattle ranch there. By 1932, the ranching operation was enjoying moderate success.

In 1941, MacPhee subletted part of the island to the U.S. Army. Later that year, because of continuing drought, MacPhee removed his cattle from the island.

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The History of Kahoolawe Island

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