Billy Bergin

Waimea, Hawai?i, inhabited by humankind for more than twelve centuries, has been home to Parker Ranch for 175 storied years. The history of this land is lovingly chronicled in the book series, Loyal to The Land: The Legendary Parker Ranch, written by a longtime ranch veterinarian and kama, Dr. Billy Bergin. This fourth and final volume, An Enduring Sense of Place, recounts the evolution of Parker Ranch from the passing of venerable owner Richard Smart in 1992 through the following three decades. The author utilizes a variety of uncommon sources—his vast personal experience, interviews, direct observations, letters, news stories, and Parker Ranch annual reports, memos, and strategic plans—to paint a multifaceted picture of executive operations as well as the interpersonal relations and daily life of the ranch ohana. This book opens with the final years of Dr. Bergin’s tenure. At that time, the ranch was transitioning from sole-owner oversight by Smart, to governance by trustees who had to deal with a land rich, cash poor, sprawling Hawaiian ranch. As the author witnessed, the challenges confronting the ranch were considerable. The exodus of veteran employees under the Voluntary Separation Program left a younger generation of cowboys without mentorship, leading to unintended cattle loss, distrust in management, and a decline in morale. Still, the ranch endured. In the ensuing decade, a sense of organizational calm emerged when trusteeship was separated from management. CEO Chris Kanazawa’s receptiveness to field leadership and community engagement proved to be an effective business strategy. In more recent times, the horse program and the Paniolo Cattle Company witnessed progressive remodeling by CEO Neil "Dutch" Kuyper. The Paniolo Power initiative looks towards a sustainable future using wind, sun, water, and geothermal energy sources. At its core, this volume is a celebration of the men and women of Parker Ranch, who are, in the words of Smart, "the ranch’s greatest assets" Anyone who ever worked at Parker Ranch remains connected to this special place at the heart of Waimea; the stories presented here are expressions of their enduring loyalty to the land.

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.

By exploring all things equine, from prehistoric origins to the present, The Hawaiian Horse illuminates the contributions of the horse to transportation, freight service, and agronomy in industries of ranching, sugar, pineapple, taro, rice, and coffee production in Hawai‘i. Comprehensive and deliberate, the book shows the evolution of the equine species—horse, mule, and donkey—as beasts of burden, for recreational pleasure, or as highly regarded competitive mounts. Beginning with the colorful introduction of the species, with its conquistador roots, and a history of the vaquero in Hawaiian cowboy culture, the authors take the reader on a journey through time, encountering along the way Hawaiian royalty, elegant pa‘u riders in flowing gowns, horse racing, polo, rodeo, and the military's influence during both world wars. Novice and experienced equestrians will marvel at the development of the distinctive Hawaiian saddle, described with explicit detail and illustration of its artistry, production, and utility.Early equine import and export defied sheer practicality when repeatedly confronted with issues of fundamental humane care. Pioneers of this effort were determined to succeed, and succeed they did, establishing the horse as a symbol of status. As the horse gained favor with Hawaiians, the animal’s numbers grew to the point of overpopulation, with mounts seeking homes in mountains and valleys—eventually becoming wild and establishing “mustang” status similar to wild horse overpopulation in the Americas. Hawai‘i’s sugar industry, credited with progressive enrichment of horse quality through importation of genetic excellence, served as a model for major ranches such as Parker, Baldwin, Rice, Greenwell, and Dillingham, as they too, imported quality sires and mares. Two men stand out in this endeavor—A. W. Carter of Parker Ranch and Dr. J. C. FitzGerald of Maui. Two equestriennes also rise to the top for their fine work and contributions—Amy Rich, Hawai‘i’s quintessential horsemanship instructor, and Maui humanitarian, Haku Baldwin.Unique in their perspective, the authors’ depth of knowledge makes this volume a fitting tribute to the Hawaiian horse and the people involved in its advancement, elevating the noble animal to the stature it rightfully deserves in the history of Hawai‘i.

Tells the story of the Big Island's Parker Ranch, one of the largest and most beautiful cattle ranches in the United States.

Loyal to the Land is a sweeping history of one of the United States' largest working ranches, the Big Island of Hawai'i's Parker Ranch. In this wide-ranging and insightful book, illustrated with more than 250 historical photos, Dr. Billy Bergin first discusses the important Hispanic vaquero roots of ranching in Hawai'i. He then relates the histories of the five foundation families, providing information on key members who contributed to the Ranch's success. The balance of the book examines every aspect of Parker Ranch development: management, labor, improvements and diversification of livestock, veterinary and animal care programs, and the Ranch's role and influence on the Big Island and the state.