Loyal to the Land – The Legendary Parker Ranch, 1970–1992, Volume 3, Agents of Change

Located in Waimea on the Big Island of Hawai‘i, Parker Ranch is not only one of the largest cattle ranches in the United States, but also one of the oldest and most historic. Originally published in 2008, this third volume of Loyal to the Land: The Legendary Parker Ranch continues the history of the ranch and chronicles the transition of its management into the hands of mainlanders Gordon Lent and Jack Rubel. This was a significant departure from past practice and marked the beginning of two decades during which dramatic redirection occurred.

As a close observer and active participant in ranch operations during this period, Dr. Billy Bergin provides a first-hand account of the events of that time. His personal insight is supported by almost 200 photographs that deftly move the reader through twenty years of life on the ranch. He describes the management influences of Lent and Rubel, who envisioned guiding the ranch to greater levels of production and economic solvency, as well as the years of Don Hanson and Walter Slater.

Ranch management soon shifted back to men of Hawai‘i when Charlie Kimura, David Ramos, and Robby Hind assumed leadership. During his successful tenure, Hind launched a new initiative exporting cattle to mainland markets through Canada. This bold move enabled Parker Ranch to export its entire calf crop―nearly 12,000 calves―to the continental US after the closure of the Hawai‘i Meat Company and Hawai‘i Milling Corporation feedlot complex on O‘ahu. This changed the way cattle were marketed in Hawai‘i for the ensuing decades.

With the deteriorating health of ranch owner Richard Smart, a decline in stewardship became evident as trustees imposed directives that put the ranch at risk. Disenchanted by the perceived lack of reasonable stewardship of ranch resources―physical, animal, and human―employees yearned for a return to the good years. The passing of Richard Smart, challenges to his will by his sons Antony and Gilliard, tax burdens, and less-than-ideal industry factors further encumbered the mission of the trustees to achieve fiscal stability. Still, the storied ranch remained a crown jewel in the midst of the cobalt blue Pacific Ocean.