Health, Wealth, Wisdom & Fun

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/hawaii-ranches-p-619.html

Hawaii ranches is akin to a "double paradise" for rural property seekers: one, they're in Hawaii, and two, owning a land in that island paradise is a treat like no other.

Hawaii's Big Island has an unexpected heritage, a rich "cowboy culture" more than 100 years old, centered in the upcountry ranchlands, populated with interesting characters as well as endless stories. But what characterizes a cowboy culture? Cowboys, horses and, of course, cows.

It was way back in 1793 when Captain George Vancouver presented 5 black longhorn cattle to King Kamehameha I - so it was purported that cows arrived on the island even before cowboys and horses did. The animals were in poor condition after the long sea voyage, and Kamehameha immediately put them under kapu (taboo, "hands off"), and freed them to range the island.

Horses arrived 5 years afterward, in1803. David Malo, a historian, lists the horse (lio) as among the imported animals in his Moolelo Hawaii. Men sit upon his back and ride; there are no horns on his head. Even if the dictionary gives "lio" as the Hawaiian word for horse, Hawaiian authority George S. Kanahele notes that horses were first called "wa a holo honua" ("canoes that travel on land").

Without a doubt, Hawaii holds a colorful and profound ranching history. "Paniolo" became the Hawaiian word for cowboy and is a Hawaiianized pronunciation of Español. Even at present, the traditional Hawaiian saddle and several other tools of the ranching trade have a distinctly Mexican look, and many Hawaiian ranching families still have the surnames of vaqueros who made Hawaii their home.

On the Big Island, sprawling ranches and upscale development co-exist with tiny farms and older plantation-style homes all over the island. 2,000 feet above sea level on lush mountain slopes, you'll find treasures of rural properties for sale.

For about a long time, sugar plantations are the main entries of agricultural land; but in the last 30 years, this industry has dropped and large parcels of land were made available for Hawaii ranches. Then, in January 2005, Hawaii received almost $2million in federal funds for conservation easements to protect Hawaii farm and ranch land. Such easements thwart the conversion of farm and ranch land to non-agricultural purposes. There are numerous available ranch properties for sale, ranging from small mountain hideaways to sprawling working Hawaii ranches.

So what are you waiting for? Take a few minutes to experience the pleasures brought about by Hawaii ranches.

Big Island Land Co Ltd
519 Manono Street, Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-6874