Ranching
Stewarding Landscapes and Food Security
Overview
Ranching in Hawaiʻi encompasses more than just food production; it is a critical form of land
stewardship for approximately 20% of the state’s land mass. As the state moves toward a
climate-resilient future, the ranching sector is transitioning from traditional practices to “climate-smart” management. By integrating silvopasture (combining trees with grazing), rotational grazing, and nutrient cycling, ranchers are actively mitigating wildfire risks, restoring
watersheds, and reducing the state’s heavy reliance on imported meat.
Numbers and Targets
Key Targets:
- Double Food Production: Contribute to the statewide goal of doubling local food production by 2030 (Act 151).
- Carbon Sequestration: Utilize pasture lands to sequester carbon through improved soil health and reforestation.
- Waste Diversion: Divert organic waste (including cattle mortalities) from landfills to create biochar and soil amendments.
Emissions Profile (2022):
- Enteric Fermentation: 0.29 MMT CO2 Eq. (Methane emissions from livestock digestion).
- Manure Management: 0.01 MMT CO2 Eq.
- Net Impact: While livestock produce methane, well-managed pasture lands have significant potential to act as carbon sinks, offsetting emissions through soil carbon sequestration.
Key Features of Hawaiʻi's Ranching Sector
Ecosystem Services and Wildfire Mitigation
Ranchers are frontline defenders against wildfires. Managed grazing reduces fuel loads
(invasive grasses) that would otherwise grow unchecked, creating firebreaks that protect
communities and native forests.
Silvopasture and Reforestation
The sector is adopting silvopasture—the integration of trees into grazing systems. This practice
provides shade for livestock, improves animal welfare, sequesters carbon, and restores native
biodiversity within working landscapes.
Circular Economy
Ranching is closing the loop on waste. New initiatives aim to divert cattle mortalities and green
waste from landfills, converting them into nutrient-rich biochar and compost that return fertility to
the soil, replacing imported synthetic fertilizers.
Paniolo Heritage
Hawaiʻi’s ranching history predates that of the American West. Preserving the Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture is central to keeping these working lands in local hands and maintaining the cultural connection to the ʻāina.
Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges
- Drought: Intensifying drought conditions reduce grass availability, forcing herd reductions and threatening the economic viability of ranches.
- Invasive Species: Pests like the Two-lined Spittlebug and invasive plants (e.g., fireweed) degrade pasture quality and biodiversity..
- Processing Capacity: Limited local slaughter and processing infrastructure creates bottlenecks, forcing some cattle to be shipped out of state.
Opportunities
- Carbon Markets: Developing local carbon credit markets to pay ranchers for the ecosystem services (carbon sequestration, water retention) their lands provide.
- Local Markets: Programs like "Farm to School" provide stable demand for local beef, encouraging ranchers to keep cattle in Hawaiʻi for finishing rather than exporting them.
State and County Actions
State of Hawaiʻi
The Department of Agriculture (HDOA) implements the Compost Reimbursement Program to
support soil health. The State Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission
coordinates policies to support carbon-smart land management.
Hawaiʻi County
The Agriculture and Food Systems Program offers grants to support ranchers. The county is
also working to integrate waste and land management systems to facilitate nutrient recapture.
Maui County
The county supports the Maui Cattle Company and other cooperatives to strengthen the local
meat supply chain and ensure food security during supply chain disruptions.
City and County of Honolulu
Honolulu promotes the purchase of local meat products through its agricultural grant programs
and sustainability initiatives.
Kauaʻi County
Kauaʻi supports invasive species control on ranch lands and partners with the Kauaʻi
Cattlemen’s Association to address industry challenges.
Measure Description and Scope
| Measure | Description | Measure Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 17. Agricultural Soil Amendment | Integrate waste and land management to capture carbon and improve soil health. | Circular Economy: Divert cattle mortalities and organic waste from landfills to produce biochar and compost. Nutrient Recapture: Use locally produced soil amendments to replace imported fertilizers and improve pasture productivity |
| 19. Nature-Based Resilience Solutions | Utilize grazing and land management to reduce climate risks. | Wildfire Defense: Use managed grazing to reduce invasive grass fuel loads and create firebreaks. Silvopasture: Plant trees in pastures to sequester carbon, reduce heat stress on livestock, and improve water retention. |
Case Studies
Haleakalā Ranch (Maui)
Haleakalā Ranch is a leader in conservation and sustainable ranching. They actively partner
with watershed partnerships to protect native forests and have implemented rotational grazing
to manage invasive species. Their work includes the restoration of native koa forests and the
protection of endangered species like the Nēnē, demonstrating how ranching and conservation
can coexist.
Hawaii Cattlemen's Council (Statewide)
The Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council advocates for the sustainable development of the state’s cattle
industry. They are instrumental in advancing policies that support local food production, such as
the “Farm to State” initiative, and provide resources for ranchers to adopt climate-smart
practices like the “Beef Quality Assurance” program.
Kualoa Ranch (O'ahu)
Kualoa Ranch integrates diversified agriculture, stewardship, and ecotourism. Their “farm-to-table” approach supplies local beef, oysters, and produce to their own operations and the
community. They also engage in active stewardship of their lands, preserving native forests and
cultural sites while educating visitors about sustainability.
Further Actions
For Individuals
- Buy Local Beef: Choose grass-fed beef raised in Hawaiʻi to reduce the carbon footprint associated with shipping and grain-fed production. Look for the "Taste of Hawaii" or similar local labels.
- Support Restaurants: Patronize restaurants that explicitly source meat from local ranchers.
For Businesses
- Sourcing: : Grocery stores and restaurants can commit to purchasing a percentage of their meat products from local ranchers to stabilize the local market.
- Partnerships: Tourism operators can partner with ranches to offer educational tours that highlight the role of ranching in land stewardship.
For NGOs
- Conservation Easements: Land trusts can work with ranchers to place conservation easements on working lands, preventing development and ensuring perpetual agricultural use.
- Research: Partner with ranchers to study the carbon sequestration potential of different grazing management strategies in Hawai'i's unique climate.
Resources
State Agencies
- Hawai’i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) https://hdoa.ha aii.gov/ Supports the livestock industry through disease control, marketing, and land management
programs. - DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) https://dlnr.haaii.gov/dofaw/
Collaborates with ranchers on watershed protection and invasive species management.
County Resources
- Hawai’i County Department of Research & Development https://www.rd.hawaiicounty .gov/ Provides support for agricultural projects and food systems on the Big Island.
Non-Profit Organizations
- Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council https://www.hicattle.org/
The primary voice for Hawaii’s ranchers, providing advocacy and education.
- Hawaii Rangeland Stewardship Foundation https://www.hicattle.org/ hawaii-rangeland-stewardship-foundation
Educational Resources and Programs
- UH CTAHR Livestock Extension https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/
Provides research-based information and technical assistance to livestock producers.
Business Resources
- Paniolo Cattle Company https://paniolocattle.com/
A partnership delivering grass-fed beef from Hawaii’s ranches to local markets.
Policy and Advocacy
- Ulupono Initiative https://ulupono.com/
Invests in local food production, including the expansion of local meat processing capacity.