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Dairy Farming in Hawaii
Information about the dairy farming industry in Hawaii.
The last dairy farm on the island of Oahu the
Pacific Dairy in the Waianae Valley - shut
down on February 15, 2008. In the 1980's
Hawaii had about 20 dairy farms and it produced
most of its own milk.
Between 1999 and 2008 many of Hawaii's dairies shut down
including four on Oahu and three on the
Big Island of Hawaii. I think that as of 2008
Hawaii only had two cow dairy farms left, both
on the Big Island of Hawaii: Island Dairy in Hamakua
and the Clover Leaf Dairy in Upolo.
In the 1980's Hawaii produced 100% of its own
milk but today as much as 80% of Hawaii's milk
is imported.
Cow Dairies in Hawaii
Cloverleaf Dairy
This cow dairy in Upolo on the Big
Island of Hawaii has about 650 dairy
cows that are milked twice a day.
The Cloverleaf Dairy has been owned and
operated by the Boteilho family
since (I believe) the late 1950's.
Island Dairy
This dairy farm in Ookala on Big Island has about 500 cows.
Island Dairy started growing its own feed in 2008 to fight
the rising cost of feed imported from the
mainland. At one time the dairy was
spending about $1.6 million a year importing
feed for its cows. Island Dairy is planning to grow about
200 acres of corn and it may plant another 35 acres of sorghum,
alfalfa, and peanuts. The company is hoping to
eventually have about 1200 dairy cows.
2008 Island Dairy Article in West Hawaii Today
Meadow Gold Dairy of Hawaii
Processor and distributor of
fresh and cultured dairy products,
a line of juice drinks, and frozen dessert products.
Located at 925 Cedar Street in Honolulu.
Note that Meadow Gold is not actually a dairy,
they are a processor and distributor
of dairy and other products.
Goat Dairies in Hawaii
Hawaii Island Goat Dairy
This 10 acre goat cheese dairy on the Big Island of Hawaii
is located in Ahualoa and it is owned and operated
by Dick and Heather Threlfall.
The dairy produces two types of goat cheese
that are sold under the name "Big Island Goat Cheese".
They produce a soft cheese in several flavors including
garlic, macadamia nut, basil, pesto,
rocoto pepper, and chipotle. They also
produce a traditional feta cheese that is vacuum-packed
in brine.
Surfing Goat Dairy
This 42 acre goat cheese dairy farm in Kula on the island
of Maui is owned by Thomas and Eva Kafsack,
both originally from Germany. They produce
a soft goat cheese flavored with items such as
salmon, green peppercorns, herbs, curry,
mango, horseradish, sun dried tomatoes,
hot peppers, lavender, garlic, chives, and more.
Winner of several "Best Goat Cheese Spread"
awards. They also offer tours to the general public
for a fee, including impromptu, casual tours,
late afternoon "Chores and Milking" tours,
and two hour "Grand Tours" which include
feeding and milking a goat, watching cheese being
made, and sampling cheeses produced by the dairy.
Articles About Dairy Farming in Hawaii
Articles about the Dairy Industry in Hawaii
2008:
Dairy Farming: A Fading Industry in Hawaii
2008:
Waianae's Pacific Dairy Closes: Last Dairy on Oahu Closed
2008:
No Local Milk as Last Oahu Dairy Closes
2007:
University of Hawaii Sells All Its Cows
2007:
Outsourcing Hawaii's School Milk
2005:
Waianae Pacific Dairy May Close
2001:
Meadow Gold Strike Averted
2001:
Meadow Gold Labor Talks Continue Into Night
2001:
Waimanalo Dairy Farm Likely to Close
See also:
Cattle Ranching in Hawaii
Horseback Riding in Hawaii
The History of Horse Racing in Hawaii
Industries of Hawaii
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Related Links
About Hawaii
Islands of Hawaii
Hawaii for Visitors
A NOTE FROM KATHIE: If you have any corrections or updates to the information on
this page or if you would like us to add any information or
links, please send a message to the email
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