Ainahou Ranch
Encyclopedia
The Shipman family leased 6324 acres (2,559.2 ha) of land near the Kīlauea volcano in 1937 from the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate, which they called the Ainahou Ranch. The name aina hou means "new land".
An older ranch called Keauhou (not to be confused with the Keauhou, Hawaii
on the western side of the island) had been established here in 1921, so a primitive trail existed, and the Chain of Craters Road
had recently been built within a few miles.
Herbert C. Shipman built a house on the remote ranch in 1941 for the family as a refuge for the anticipated Japanese invasion of Hawaii. It was used as a working cattle ranch, raising beef for the military during World War II
. After the 1946 tsunami devastated the Puna Shipman property, he built pens at Ainahou to continue raising the nēnē. After the war, it was estimated only about 30 birds existed in the wild. Herbert Shipman reintroduced two pairs to the Pohakuloa Training Area
, and worked with British ornithologist Peter Scott
to expand the breeding program to England, possibly saving the species from extinction. The shipman family also kept many exotic plants at the ranch, including some of the first orchids raised on the island. Herbert (president of the Hawaii Orchid Society) was awarded a gold medal in 1957 by the American Orchid Society
for contributions to the industry.
After being threatened by a lava flow in 1969 the house was evacuated. The family reached an agreement for the National Park Service
to purchase the land and house in 1971 to become part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
, under the authority of the Endangered Species Act
. Ainahou ranch was listed on the state register of historic places on December 5, 1973 as site 10-62-19429, and the National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaii
on June 23, 1978 as site 78001013. and the National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaii
on February 8, 1995 as site 94001619.
An older ranch called Keauhou (not to be confused with the Keauhou, Hawaii
Keauhou, Hawaii
Keauhou is an unincorporated community on the island of Hawaii in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States. Its elevation is 13 feet . Because the community has borne multiple names, the Board on Geographic Names officially designated it "Keauhou" in 1914...
on the western side of the island) had been established here in 1921, so a primitive trail existed, and the Chain of Craters Road
Chain of Craters Road
Chain of Craters Road is a 23 mile winding paved road through the East Rift and coastal area of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawaii, in the state of Hawaii, United States. The original road, built in 1928, connected Crater Rim Drive to Makaopuhi Crater...
had recently been built within a few miles.
Herbert C. Shipman built a house on the remote ranch in 1941 for the family as a refuge for the anticipated Japanese invasion of Hawaii. It was used as a working cattle ranch, raising beef for the military during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the 1946 tsunami devastated the Puna Shipman property, he built pens at Ainahou to continue raising the nēnē. After the war, it was estimated only about 30 birds existed in the wild. Herbert Shipman reintroduced two pairs to the Pohakuloa Training Area
Pohakuloa Training Area
Pōhakuloa Training Area is located on the island of Hawaii in the high plateau between Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and the Hualālai volcanic mountains...
, and worked with British ornithologist Peter Scott
Peter Scott
Sir Peter Markham Scott, CH, CBE, DSC and Bar, MID, FRS, FZS, was a British ornithologist, conservationist, painter, naval officer and sportsman....
to expand the breeding program to England, possibly saving the species from extinction. The shipman family also kept many exotic plants at the ranch, including some of the first orchids raised on the island. Herbert (president of the Hawaii Orchid Society) was awarded a gold medal in 1957 by the American Orchid Society
American Orchid Society
The American Orchid Society is a horticultural society devoted to the promotion, cultivation, and study of orchids . The organization was founded in 1921 and now has a worldwide membership....
for contributions to the industry.
After being threatened by a lava flow in 1969 the house was evacuated. The family reached an agreement for the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
to purchase the land and house in 1971 to become part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916, is a United States National Park located in the U.S. State of Hawaii on the island of Hawaii. It encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world's most massive volcano...
, under the authority of the Endangered Species Act
Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and...
. Ainahou ranch was listed on the state register of historic places on December 5, 1973 as site 10-62-19429, and the National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaii
National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaii
This is a list of properties and districts on the island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaii that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The island is coterminous with Hawaii County, the state's only county that covers exactly one island...
on June 23, 1978 as site 78001013. and the National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaii
National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaii
This is a list of properties and districts on the island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaii that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The island is coterminous with Hawaii County, the state's only county that covers exactly one island...
on February 8, 1995 as site 94001619.