PAKALA VILLAGE, KAUAI (HawaiiNewsNow) – The bison that once roamed a wet, lush pasture on Kauai’s North Shore are now making a new home on the island’s dry West Side — and could provide an economic boost to an area that could definitely use it.
Many remember an iconic photo of an American Bison on the Hanalei shoreline. It was one of dozens that got loose during a historic flood in April 2018.
Three months ago, that same herd went through another roundup. Ranch owner Stuart Wellington led a team from Hanalei Bison Ranch, transporting 108 bison in a convoy of 17 trucks and trailers to a plateau near Waimea in West Kauai.
“A little bit on the drier side, so it does resemble the Great Plains, but the difference is the backdrop — you have Niihau on your left and Waimea Canyon on your right,” said Wellington.
The move was done in a single day — after two years of planning.
“We put in plenty work. Plenty guardrails, high beams — we had to pound everything, weld everything up,” said Wellington’s son, Austin, in a video that documented the move.
“A lot of work, all for one day of use,” he added.
The bison are now getting used to their new home — 300 acres of Gay and Robinson ag land above Pakala Village.
Their presence is seen as a way to keep the land productive — and profitable — in an area once dominated by sugar cane.
“We really want it to have an impact on the West Side economy,” said Stuart Wellington. “Since the plantation left, the West Side’s economy has struggled.”
The owners say the herd has taken well it its new environs.
“Our intentions are to get a tour, an ag tour, going,” Wellington said. “We want to share this magnificent animal. I mean, they’re totally awesome.”
The ranch also wants to increase the herd size because of the high demand for their meat.
Wellington said for now, he’ll let them roam. He plans to see how the bison adapt to the new land for the rest of the year before starting up any tours.
“We feel that the bison is a bonus, that you wouldn’t expect it in the middle of the Pacific. But while you’re here, you might as well look at them.”
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