About Kualoa
ABOUT US
With not one, but two listings on the US Department of the Interior’s National Register of Historic Places since the 1970’s, Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve is owned and managed by sixth, seventh and eighth generation descendants of Dr. Gerritt P. Judd. Kualoa’s mission is to enrich people’s lives by preserving Kualoa’s sacred lands and celebrating its history. Established in 1850, Kualoa’s company vision is to be a role model of sustainable tourism as stewards of these amazing 4,000 acres of land known as Kualoa, Hakipu’u and Ka’a’awa. Come and experience the beauty of Kualoa Ranch, where your visit supports local culture, sustainable tourism practices and the communities of O'ahu's eastern shores, from La'ie to Kailua.
Our goal is to protect and enhance the natural beauty of these lands while developing sustainable recreational, agricultural and aquacultural enterprises that are compatible with the environment. All tours and commercial activities enable Kualoa to keep the lands undeveloped so that future generations will be able to enjoy them as well. We truly care about and strive to educate all visitors … kama’aina, military and malihini … about traditional Hawaiian values, reverence for our natural environment, respect for the host Hawaiian culture and most importantly, the sacred history of Kualoa.
Today, Kualoa is a 4,000 acre Private Nature Reserve as well as a working cattle ranch with more than 600 head of cattle, 120 horses and 200 sheep, stretching from the steep mountain cliffs to the sparkling waters of Kaneohe Bay. Located on the eastern shores of O’ahu, Kualoa is just 24 miles from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. The reserve terrain varies from waonahele … dense Hawaiian rainforest … to waokanaka… broad open valleys. It is truly a paradise for outdoor recreation and Kualoa offers guided tours by several forms of transportation … electric Mountain Bikes, ATV Raptors, Zipline, Horseback, Trolley, Bus, Boat, Jungle Jeep, Catamaran or your own two feet!
If the views look familiar, it’s because Kualoa has been the site of over 70 Hollywood movies since the 1950’s. Blockbuster films such as Jumanji, Kong Skull Island, Jurassic World, Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom, Jurassic Park, Windtalkers, Pearl Harbor, Godzilla, Tears of the Sun, and 50 First Dates have all been filmed at Kualoa. TV shows like Hawaii Five-O, Magnum P.I. and LOST have also used the amazing backdrops of . Kualoa is known as Hollywood’s “Hawaii’s Backlot,” and has been seen by more than a billion people in all the movies filmed at the ranch over the past 60 years!
There are two major areas of the property: the northern half which includes Kaʻaʻawa Valley, nick-named “Jurassic Valley” and containing many of the movie locations; and the southern half that includes the verdant Hakipuʻu Valley rainforest, Moli’i, an 800-year old ancient Hawaiian fishpond which is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, and our Secret Island Hokule’a beach.
Kualoa is one of the most historically significant areas on Oʻahu, and in ancient times, it was one of the most sacred places on the island. Legends say Kualoa was once a pu’uhonua (place of refuge), where kanaka maoli (Hawaiian natives) could come to seek forgiveness. It was also used to host the Makahiki, an annual event where kanaka maoli came to train and participate in warrior games of skill.
Come experience the aloha and special sense of ʻohana (family) that the 400+ Kualoa employees share. Your patronage helps keep Kualoa Private Nature Reserve sustainable so that we can keep it undeveloped and preserved for future generations to enjoy and explore.
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A Brief Timeline
A Residence of Kings
Ancient Hawaiians considered Kualoa one of the most sacred places on the island of Oʻahu. It was the residence of kings, a place of refuge and sanctuary – a puʻuhonua – and a training ground for Hawaiian royalty who were instructed in the arts of war, history and social traditions.
King Kamehameha III and Dr. Gerritt P. Judd
In 1850, King Kamehameha III (Keaweaweʻula Kiwalaō Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa) sold approximately 622 acres of land at Kualoa to Dr. Gerritt P. Judd. Dr. Judd had previously been a missionary doctor who arrived in Hawai'i in 1828 and who served as personal advisor to King Kamehameha III and translated medical journals into the Hawaiian language.
The initial land sale included much prime ranch land and all fishing rights including Mokoli'i, which means, 'Little Lizard' in Hawaiian.
Later, additional acreage in the Hakipu'u and Ka'a'awa valleys were purchased by Dr. Judd's son Charles Hastings Judd from Queen Kalama's land holdings. This purchase increased the size of the estate to the 4,000 acres it is today and is now under the Morgan Family name, who are Dr. Judd's descendants.
The Kualoa Sugar Mill
1863 to 1870
Between 1863 – 1870, the Kualoa Sugar Mill was built and operated by Charles H. Judd and Samuel G. Wilder. The mill was closed after years of meager rainfall that effectively brought an end to sugar farming at Kualoa.
KUALOA
Sustainability
Kualoa’s Sustainability Plan One of the primary objectives for Kualoa is the preservation of its Agriculture and Conservation zoned land. Kualoa Ranch, its owners and employees all work towards this goal of environmental preservation and sustainability by conducting complimentary activities on the 4 C's of Sustainability.
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