Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL HomeMaui ranch agrees to historic land deal
Member Center:
Ulupalakua, MAUI (HawaiiNewsNow) - The green rolling hills stretch across the leeward slopes of Haleakala as far as the eye can see.
Ulupalakua Ranch is the second biggest cattle ranch on Maui and a partner in a history-making move.
"Nothing this large has been done before, especially on a private level," ranch president Sumner Erdman said.
The Erdman's, owners of the ranch, have reached a preservation agreement with Maui Coastal Land Trust.
"This is our mission -- to help land owners protect and preserve those special places of conservation areas or values that are of benefit to the greater public," Maui Coastal's executive director Dale Bonar said.
The land agreement means 12,000 acres on the ranch will always be a working cattle ranch for livestock grazing and farming.
There's a general store and a winery.
The Erdman's are also environmentalists.
"They are an active partner in the leeward Haleakala watershed partnership which is doing restoration of a lot of that upcountry area, replanting Koa, replanting Ohia, and other native species," Bonar said.
By forging the agreement the ranch forfeits rights to sell off hundreds of parcels of land.
The owner says it's for the greater good.
"It's an absolutely beautiful place, one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to, and we really want to keep it that way," Erdman said.
The Erdman family has owned Ulupalakua Ranch since 1963.
The agreement with Maui Coastal Land Trust safeguards their operation and guarantees the green rolling hills stay that way.
Copyright 2009 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Comments Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. Notify us of any inappropriate comments by clicking the “Mark as Offensive” link. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. By submitting a comment, you agree to these
Terms of Service
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login or register See all comments |
One person is dead after a rental car plunged off a cliff and burst into flames in Leeward Oahu Saturday night. A passer-by reported seeing More>>
A man is hospitalized after being pinned underneath a van that crashed. It happened at a construction site on Skyview Loop in the... More>>
Crews have fixed a broken water pipe in the Wahiawa town area on Sunday. Water has also been restored to all affected businesses. The Board of More>>
A motorcyclist was in critical condition with a head injury, after a crash on the H-1 Freeway Sunday afternoon. It happened on the east-bound side near the University off-ramp... More>>
Hawaii's leaders react to the passing of former Congressman and broadcaster Cec Heftel. Heftel died Thursday... More>>
Safety. That's what Hawaii Toyota dealers say comes first after a massive nationwide recall of some of its vehicles, all involving sticky gas More>>
A somber memorial was held Friday to honor a young woman who died at a McDonald's drive-thru. About 30 of Raelynn Adam's friends and family... More>>
Frank Fasi, who served as Honolulu mayor longer than any other person, died Wednesday night... More>>
Viewers fondly remember "The Mayor". Please send us your memories of Mayor Frank Fasi... More>>
The search for a missing Oahu real estate agent intensified Tuesday, after his car was located on Oahu's... More>>
>
