Andrade Ranch
Hawaiian Homes
Ethel and Alfred Andrade, Founders, 1952
Ethel and Alfred Andrade, Owners and Managers
Location: Waimea (Mana Road)
Elevation: 3000'
Annual Rainfall: 45-50"
 Operation: Primary: Cow-calf, Secondary: Finisher
Breeding: Year-round
Andrade Ranch is located in Waimea, the heart of the Big Island's ranching
community. It is approximately 305 acres of lush green pastures, surrounded by
rolling hills at the base of Mauna Kea. Tree lines, planted as wind-breaks, run
up and down the property. The wind blowing through their branches is all you
hear as puffy gray clouds roll by. Alfred tends to a small garden of sweet
potatoes, macadamia nuts, grapes, and peaches. The garden is just outside the
seldom used ranch house located there.
Keawe fence posts form a perimeter around the property. The posts were
originally purchased for $0.35 cents and $0.75 cents, for posts and
 corners in
1952. The posts came from Puako where Ethel trucked them back up to Waimea and
paid Parker Ranch cowboys to help build the fence! The project, including the
wire, took a weekend and is a testament to Ethels work ethic and ability to get
things done.
Ranch History: On June 11, 1952, Ethel
was at work when her friend, Leona Ching Spencer, arrived from Oahu to pick her
up. After some persuasion from her boss, Ethel agreed to go to Waimea for the
day with Leona to try their luck at getting some of the land that was to be
given away by lottery. 
300 Hawaiians crowded the small hall where 48 parcels to be given away. The
14th name drawn was Ethel's and it is history from there.
The first cattle on the ranch were seven steers given to the Andrade's by
John Solomon (Solomon Ranch) in Kohala. Later, Frank Deluz would pasture cattle
on the property and over time paid his pasture fees with cattle. Today the ranch
is fully stocked.
Andrade Residence: Ethel and Alfred live
a short drive from their ranch in a beautifully landscaped residence, maintained
in no small part by Alfred. They have received recognition and awards over the
years for the landscaping, including awards from Governor King and the Outdoor
Circle. The driveway
 welcomes you through its arch. Poinsettias line the
property and every year tour busses from Hilo and Kona drive by filled with
tourists.
A 550 gallon gas tank, originally used to help the Hawaiian's establish a
foothold in the community, rests peacefully on the property; it is a remnant of
the history in this small community.
Awards/Associations:
Oregon Hall of Fame (Only cowgirl in the hall of fame)
1981 Outstanding conservation cooperator by Mauna Kea SWCD
In Library of USDA as Homestead Ranchers
Rodeo Historical Society and National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in
Oklahoma City
| 
Grass-Fed
~ Pasture Raised
