KONA, Hawaii (RFD News) — A sixth-generation ranching family in Hawaii is continuing a long cattle tradition while working to keep local beef production alive on the islands.
McCandless Ranch has been in Cynda Unger’s family for generations, and today she and her husband, Keith, oversee the operation along the slopes of Mauna Loa.
Founded in 1915 by her great-grandfather, the ranch sits near the area where cattle were first introduced to Hawaii in 1793. Alongside their team of paniolo, the Ungers manage cattle while also caring for the surrounding land.
However, Cynda says ranching involves much more than simply working cattle.
“The ranching part, at least for us and I’m pretty sure for other ranches, it’s really just one of the little things that you do. There is lots of property management. There is a lot of other things that you do besides going out and rounding up cattle. There’s more to cattle ranching than cattle.”
Much of the beef raised in Hawaii is shipped to the mainland, but the Unger family says they are committed to keeping more of that product on the islands while helping support Hawaii’s ranching industry.
