Kualoa Ranch History

Kualoa is one of the most historically significant destinations on Oahu. Ancient Hawaiians considered Kualoa one of the most sacred places on Oahu. It was a residence of kings, a place of refuge and sanctuary - a pu`uhonua - and a training ground for royalty who were instructed at Kualoa in the arts of war, history and social traditions.

In 1850, Kamehameha III sold approximately 622 acres of land in Kualoa and all its fishing rites offshore (which included Mokoli`i or Chinaman’s Hat) to Dr. Gerritt P. Judd. (Dr. Judd was a missionary doctor who arrived in Hawaii in 1837 and was a personal advisor to Kamehameha III.)

Then, additional acreage in Hakipu`u and Ka`a`awa were purchased by Dr. Judd from the Wilder family. This purchase increased the size of the estate to the 4,000 acres it is today and is now under the Morgan Family name, who are Dr. Judd’s descendants.

This estate, Kualoa Ranch, was so named in 1927 and has been used for various purposes over the last eight decades. During World War II, some of the lands of this estate was used as an auxiliary airstrip with many of the large monkeypod trees providing natural hangars for small planes.

The current family owners strive to be role model stewards of the 'aina (land), by preserving and protecting it from development.

KUALOA NAME: Kualoa means 'long back'; the ranch is full of beautiful valleys and mountain peaks.

KANEHOALANI: The shroud of sacredness born by Kualoa, in great part exists because of the majestic mountains rising from it.

The highest peak atop the Kualoa ridge called Kanehoalani, towers 1900 feet skyward and means "Kane's heavenly companion".

This photo taken from the air in front of the ahupua`a of Kualoa. The beachfront area extended out much further then than it does now.

There were very few homes along the beach, the pastures were sparse with trees but the beauty remains the same today. Circa: 1926.

Sugar Mill operated between 1863 - 1870

The Kualoa Sugar Mill was built by Charles H. Judd and Samuel G. Wilder in 1863. The mill was closed around 1870 after years of meager rainfall that effectively brought an end to sugar farming here.

This very old photo taken from a pasture in old Kualoa shows the old sugar mill faintly in the background. Circa: 1920.

Chinaman's Hat before major development along Kamehameha Highway

Dr. Gerrit P. Judd's house

World War II landing strip on the flat lands of Kualoa.