About Kapapala Ranch
Update: Roads Damaged in March 2026 Storm
Update March 21, 2026
All Public Access Roads are open but some in places in rough shape. Travel at your own risk.
'Āinapō road is especially rough. No AWD vehicles, true 4WD only, ATV/UTV recommended on 'Āinapō road.
Life on the Ranch: A Pictorial Journey
Watch the Documentary "Island Cowgirls"
Island Cowgirls. On PBS
OrFilmmakers Liz Barney and Alison Week spent several years filming and doing interviews to tell the story of two very different Ranches, both with leases with the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Their work has helped educate viewers as to the legacy of ranching on State Lands in a Multi-Generational setting. Search "Pacific Hearbeat - Island Cowgirls
or View Here .
Kapapāla Ranch EcoSystem Services
Water
Water and Wildlife
Water and Wildlife
A reliable source of water for cattle is a must. In 2011 we completed Kaniwai Reservoir. This high altitude reservoir can gravity feed throughout the ranch. In the early days we relied on pumps to make water available. We no longer burn fossil fuels for water distribution.
Water and Wildlife
Water and Wildlife
Water and Wildlife
Wildlife, like the endangered Nēnē rely on Ranch water. A recent count by Forestry showed over 70 Nēnē gather in the area around 'Āinapō Reservoir
Fire Suppression
Water and Wildlife
Invasive Weed Control
In addition to water resource the ranch tractor, trucks and personal have been used for firefighting. Grazing keeps fuel loads manageable.
Invasive Weed Control
Rangeland as a Carbon Sink
Invasive Weed Control
Intensive, managed grazing of our large goat herd helps control Faya, Guava and Christmas berry. They also help with overgrown grasses and Popoki.
Rangeland as a Carbon Sink
Rangeland as a Carbon Sink
Rangeland as a Carbon Sink
Grazing land represents an important component of terrestrial carbon dioxide (CO2) offset and is a significant sink for long-term carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation.
Where does our beef go?
Hawaiʻi Cattle Production: 101
How Much Beef Stay in Hawaii From Kapapāla Cattle?
Hawaiʻi Cattle Production: 101
Lifecycle of a Cow
How Much Beef Stay in Hawaii From Kapapāla Cattle?
Hawaiʻi Cattle Production: 101
The Lifecycle of the Cow explains the years of a Cow used for breeding and, in the end, for meat that stays in Hawaiʻi.
How Much Beef Stay in Hawaii From Kapapāla Cattle?
How Much Beef Stay in Hawaii From Kapapāla Cattle?
How Much Beef Stay in Hawaii From Kapapāla Cattle?
Enough for the protein in about a million school lunches!
Contact Us
Business Contact Information
Mailing Address: PO Box 537, Palaha, HI 96777
email: Kapapala.ranch@aol.com
Response times vary pending work load and cell service availability.
Forest Reserve Access
email: operations@KapapalaRanch.com