Hawaii Farms and Ranches: Agriculture History, How Farms Make Money and Strategy
Guide updated November 2026
Hawaii farms numbered 6,569 in the 2022 Census of Agriculture, on 1,053,302 acres with an average size of 160 acres. Sales were about $673.8 million in 2022, roughly 76 percent from crops including nursery and greenhouse, and the farm count fell from 7,328 in 2017.
| Farms and land in farms | 6,569 farms and 1,053,302 acres (2022 Census of Agriculture) |
|---|---|
| Top commodities | Crops including nursery and greenhouse, coffee, macadamia nuts, cattle and diversified food crops |
| Market value of ag products sold | About $673.8 million in 2022 (crops about $514.5 million; livestock about $159.3 million) |
| State agriculture department | Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity |
| Land-grant extension | University of Hawaii CTAHR Cooperative Extension |
| Farm Bureau | Hawaii Farm Bureau |
Agriculture in Hawaii: A Short History
Hawaii agriculture was long dominated by sugar and pineapple plantations. Civil Beat notes that small farms growing many crops have taken over since the plantations closed in the 1990s. Cattle ranching, which began in the 1800s on Hawaii Island and Maui, remains central, with Parker Ranch, Ulupalakua Ranch and Haleakala Ranch among the best-known operations.
Between 2017 and 2022 the farm count fell about 10 percent and the state lost roughly 82,000 acres of farmland, according to Civil Beat's reporting on the census. The average value per farm rose from just under $77,000 to about $103,000.
How Farms in Hawaii Make Money
Commodity sales
Crops make up about three quarters of sales. Kauai Coffee Company farms 3,100 acres and is described as the largest coffee grower in the U.S. Cattle and calves are the leading livestock sector, with Parker Ranch among the nation's larger calf producers.
Value-added and direct sales
Ranches sell grass-fed beef, lamb, elk and venison through stores and grills, as at Ulupalakua Ranch. Coffee growers sell certified products to premium buyers.
Agritourism, leases and diversification
Haleakala Ranch leases land to tourism and farm tenants, and Ulupalakua Ranch hosts a wind farm. Visitor experiences, events and energy leases supplement agricultural income.
Agriculture Strategy for Hawaii Farms
Soils, water and climate
Islands span rainforest to dry leeward slopes, so water access, elevation and pests shape every decision. Civil Beat cites pests, water, land and infrastructure as main challenges. Holistic grazing and watershed protection, as practiced at Haleakala Ranch, protect forage and water.
Production and risk
Hurricanes, wildfires, drought and invasive species are the main risks. Haleakala Ranch uses grazing to control invasive gorse and a biological control moth for fireweed. Crop insurance and USDA conservation programs are listed on farmers.gov.
Technology and inputs
Shipping cost and imported feed and fertilizer raise input costs. On-farm renewable energy and local processing can reduce them.
Farm Business Strategy in Hawaii
Margins and markets
Local branded products, certifications and tourism channels support margins. Kauai Coffee Company holds non-GMO and Rainforest Alliance certifications, per Hawaii News Now.
Land, credit and succession
Land tenure is the key issue: Kauai Coffee's 2026 lease of 15 years shows how important long leases are to perennial crops. Ulupono lists low-interest loans for farms and food businesses, and USDA FSA and Farm Credit also lend. Parker Ranch shows a charitable trust model for continuity.
Marketing and diversification
Direct sales, ranch stores and visitor experiences capture retail margins. Producers should consult CTAHR Extension and the state department of agriculture.
Farm Insight: Hawaii Trends to Watch
Land is the limiting factor. Farmland is finite, and experts cited by Civil Beat point to development and farm closures as causes of the loss of acres.
Data is thin. Civil Beat reports the state's data-collection team was gutted in the late 2000s, so producers rely on USDA census data.
Hawaii has cowboys, called paniolo, who were herding cattle before many mainland ranches had a name, and that deserves a laugh. At farm.FM the farm satire, farm humor, ranch humor and farm jokes travel well to the islands, even if the cattle sometimes have a better view than the ranchers. Aloha, and watch out for the wild pigs.
The outlet behind those laughs, farm.FM, is the nation's first satirical farm site, complete with Tractor Tunes country music for farmers. A farm.FM humorist's archive shows what a week of it looks like.
Elite Farms and Ranches in Hawaii
These 4 operations are profiled in full, with history, how each makes money, lessons for other farms and published contact details.
Elite operations in Hawaii
- Haleakala RanchElite operation. Maui, Hawaii. Haleakala Ranch, Maui: about 29,000 acres, incorporated 1888, five generations of Baldwin family ownership. History, revenue streams, lessons and contact notes.
- Kauai Coffee CompanyElite operation. Kalaheo, Hawaii. Kauai Coffee Company, Kalaheo, Hawaii: the largest coffee farm in the U.S., 3,100 acres since 1987. History, revenue streams, lessons and how to find contacts.
- Parker RanchElite operation. Kamuela (Waimea), Hawaii. Parker Ranch, Waimea, Hawaii Island: 135,000+ acres of grass-fed cattle ranching since the 1800s. History, revenue streams, lessons and contact details.
- Ulupalakua RanchElite operation. Kula, Hawaii. Ulupalakua Ranch, Kula, Maui: historic working ranch with grass-fed beef, lamb, elk and venison. History, revenue streams, lessons and contact details.
Who to Contact in Hawaii: Agriculture Offices and Associations
- USDA NASS Hawaii Census of Agriculture - Official 2022 state farm numbers
- CTAHR: 2022 Hawaii Ag Census - University of Hawaii extension summary
- Civil Beat - Independent coverage of the census
- Ulupono Initiative loans - Low-interest loans for farms and food businesses
- USDA Farmers.gov - Federal programs, loans and conservation
- USDA Census of Agriculture - National Census of Agriculture data
Hawaii Farming FAQ
How many farms are in Hawaii?
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 6,569 farms on 1,053,302 acres.
How much do Hawaii farms sell?
About $673.8 million in 2022.
Which Hawaii farms are profiled here?
Parker Ranch, Ulupalakua Ranch, Kauai Coffee Company and Haleakala Ranch.
Where can farmers find help?
CTAHR Extension, the state department of agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau and USDA FSA.
Hawaii farms are smaller in number than mainland states but include some of the nation's largest ranches and its largest coffee grower. See the profiled operations below for details.