Question 1

What is the vision for Kaukonahua Ranch?

Accepted Answer

Kaukonahua Ranch is devoted to restoring, preserving and stewarding more than 2,300 acres of rural, agricultural and conservation lands in Waialua on Oahu’s North Shore. We are achieving this through sustainable practices - including cattle ranching, crop production, forestry, silvopasture, native plant restoration, and the preservation of archaeological sites - while working to provide the community with unprecedented access to the Ranch lands and job opportunities for North Shore residents.

Question 2

What is currently happening at the Ranch?

Accepted Answer

We continue to work diligently to manage and maintain Kaukonahua Ranch, with 58 percent of the ranch lands currently being utilized for diversified agriculture.  In response to increasing wildfire concerns, our core focus is currently on cattle ranching. Future expansions include management of our approximately 200 head of cattle with plans to add sheep and goat herds, reforestation of native Hawaiian trees—koa, iliahi and lama—and cultivation of crops, including agave, papaya, dragon fruit, bananas and ulu.

Question 3

What is the status of the project’s permitting?

Accepted Answer

Kaukonahua Ranch received a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) in 2019. Through the Minor Modification application recently submitted, we significantly reduced the project’s scale and scope based on feedback from the community, agricultural partners and agency officials. We continue to work closely with the DPP on our planning efforts to ensure our agribusiness project aligns with the City’s requirements.

Question 4

What are the economic benefits?

Accepted Answer

Kaukonahua Ranch will create more than 200 full-time and part-time jobs in the agricultural and agribusiness fields. The Ranch will also support multiple local businesses and nonprofit organizations in the community.

Question 5

Why is a gondola necessary for this project?

Accepted Answer

A gondola was selected as the best and most efficient mode of transportation to minimize impact to the environment. Unlike the road construction and operations of shuttle buses, a gondola offers the smallest and cleanest ecological footprint for providing staff, guests, and agricultural supplies/products with access to remote areas of the Ranch.

While the highest elevation of Kaukonahua Ranch is 2,400 feet, the highest elevation of the gondola in the Ranch’s proposed Minor Modification application has been lowered to 1,250 feet. Meanwhile, the summit of Mount Kaala is high above the Ranch at more than 4,000 feet. The top gondola station will be more than two miles away from the summit of Mt. Kaala.

Question 6

Is Kaukonahua Ranch being turned into an amusement park?

Accepted Answer

No. Our vision is to provide access to the public that is similar to a natural, state park type of setting. While some incorrect information has circulated publicly, our project is focused primarily on sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, low-impact outdoor recreation, such as hiking and biking, and educational programs sharing the stories and history of Kaukonahua Valley.

Question 7

Is Kaukonahua Ranch currently doing or planning to do any real estate or housing developments on the property?

Accepted Answer

No. With an agribusiness permit we will have a very different stewardship approach, aiming to preserve the open agricultural spaces on the more than 2,300 acres of Kaukonahua Ranch.

In addition to providing public access to the Ranch’s lands, we will be keeping them operationally active and largely undeveloped so that they remain intact for agriculture, preservation, and cultural uses. This preservation and agricultural use is made possible, and supported by, the agribusiness activities that are governed by our Conditional Use Permit.

We strongly feel this is a more sustainable and community friendly approach to the long-term stewardship of these lands that comprise a large portion of the Kaukonahua Valley. We look forward to making the Ranch and the valley accessible to the public in ways not previously thought possible and preserving the Ranch and the Valley for generations to come.

Question 8

What archeological work has been done?

Accepted Answer

A Ka Paakai Analysis and Archaeological Inventory Survey have both been completed by ASM Affiliates.

ASM has identified key areas along sections of Kaukonahua Stream that are slated for preservation and restoration. We are working with the Hawaii State Historic Preservation Division to develop a preservation plan to codify their highest standard—preserve and protect in place—and ensure these sites are documented and preserved. We are also developing a program to provide archaeologists, cultural practitioners and students with access to study, preserve, restore and help maintain these significant sites.

Question 9

What ecological work has been done?

Accepted Answer

A detailed Threatened & Endangered Species biological survey and a pueo owl survey have been conducted in conjunction with feedback from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hawaii State Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources, to ensure the Ranch’s trails and agricultural activities are designed to avoid ecological impacts. We have also implemented mitigation measures, including wash stations to prevent tracking in Rapid Ohia Death and other invasive species, and will continue ongoing environmental monitoring throughout the project.

Question 10

How will this affect traffic?

Accepted Answer

Traffic studies indicate minimal impact on daily commutes. A Transportation Impact Assessment Report (TIAR) was completed and submitted to the city’s Traffic Review Branch. Preliminary studies show that the project’s peak traffic hours are projected to be mid-day, avoiding the morning and afternoon traffic flows. We are utilizing the TIAR to guide future access to the Ranch, prioritizing safety and roadway improvements.

Question 11

Are there wildfire mitigation plans?

Accepted Answer

In 2024, we spearheaded the Kaukonahua Community Wildfire Mitigation Working Group, hosting sessions led by HawaiiWildfires.org, Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) crews, community members and neighboring landowners. The resulting plan derived from the working sessions has been completed and shared with the participants to develop aligned efforts. HFD is now using the working group as a model for other communities.

Our strategy to help mitigate wildfires includes maintaining fire breaks, installing dip tank reservoirs for firefighting helicopters, and enhancing cattle grazing of wild land grasses to reduce fuel loads. Operationally, we enforce a strict no-smoking policy and will implement increased early detection practices and response management in the case of emergencies.  In June 2025 the plan was shown to be highly effective when the fuel reduction strategy through expanded grazing operations proved to be central in suppressing that multi-day wildfire.

FAQs