Alfred Hartwell Carter
Year Inducted: 2011
Parker Ranch | Hawai'i
Alfred Hartwell Carter, commonly known as Hartwell, was the only son of Alfred Wellington Carter and Edith Hartwell Carter. He became Parker Ranch manager in 1937 upon the retirement of his father, A. W. Carter. In 1949, Carter Sr. passed away leaving his son with complete responsibility for management of the huge Parker Ranch. Hartwell retired on December 31, 1959, after nearly 23 years of service. During his time as ranch manager, he made significant contributions to Parker Ranch. He directed the effort to move toward polled cattle and a uniform purebred Hereford herd. It was no longer necessary to lead horned cattle through water or lift them onto cattle ships. Hartwell also converted the Parker Ranch horse program from its focus on the thoroughbred horse to one on a Quarter Horse mixed breed for use on the ranch. As a testimony to his passion for animal health, Hartwell surrounded himself with the best of the best in all areas of ranching from Dr. Leonard N. Case and Dr. Wallace T. Nagao to Harold Baybrook, Bull Johnston, and James Dowsett.
After the close of WWII, Hartwell was instrumental in getting further military operations relocated from the area near Richard Smart’s home in Waimea to Pōhakuloa. With equal historical importance, Hartwell helped return more than 20,000 acres of land to the Hawaiian Homes Commission for homesteading and provided foundation stock for a pastoral program on these lands.
After his retirement, Hartwell turned his full attention to a mini-ranch he called Homestead Farms in Waimea. With his good friend and companion, Yutaka Kimura, they turned to raising and improving purebred Herefords. Many would proudly win the title of Grand Champion at the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Association Annual Bull and Horse Sale at Parker Ranch’s Pukalani Stables. Dianne Kimura Sugiyama, says: “I can’t remember a year when Hartwell didn’t win with a Grand Champion or Reserve Champion bull or cow.” Through his efforts, Hartwell perpetuated a better, well-proportioned and heavier Hereford breed.
In the early 1980’s, Hartwell sold 40 plus acres of his mini-ranch and downsized to the area around his home, Greenbanks. He continued to raise Hereford cattle for a few more years. He passed away on November 12, 1985, leaving his now small herd of cattle and horses to his wife, Rebecca White Carter. “Becky” Carter decided to sell the balance of the cattle at Greenbanks and lease the property for grazing. Becky died on February 11, 2000 and Greenbanks was sold thereafter.