James Allen Gomes
Year Inducted: 2019
Ulupalakua Ranch | Maui
James Allen Gomes is currently the Operations Manager for Ulupalakua Ranch, Inc. on the island of Maui. “Jimmy” started his employment with the ranch as a contractor in 2003. In August of 2004, he was hired directly as Operations Manager.
As Operations Manager of Ulupalakua Ranch, Inc., Jimmy’s responsibilities are to the land, the cattle, and overseeing all aspects of the day-to-day operations. This can include the purchasing and maintenance of all the trucks and equipment, as well as, working with the ranch neighbors. He also serves as the ranch liaison to local and state governments and to both private entities and businesses who are intertwined with the cattle industry.
Jimmy’s passion has always been ranching so he learned to master every job that the cowboys did. Jimmy’s grandfathers, and granduncles were cowboys. His great grandfather was a rancher and farmer in Kula in the late 1800s into the 1900s. Growing up during the 60s, 70s and 80s, Jimmy worked for his father who had a business supplying truck and equipment parts throughout Hawaiʻi but Jimmy spent every chance he got out on Ulupalakua Ranch working with the cowboys. Andrew Kauai Sr. and James Hapakuka Sr. were mentors for Jimmy. They taught him how to ride, rope, hunt and fish.
Jimmy currently serves as a director and past president of the Maui Cattlemen’s Association and on the board of directors for the Hawaiʻi Cattle Producers Cooperative Association. He is the Vice President of the Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council. In the past, he served as President and as a director for of the Ulupalakua Ranch Rodeo Club.
Jimmy served as a board member for over 5 years, representing Maui, on the Board of Land and Natural Resources (DNLR). While serving on the DNLR board, Jimmy worked with stake holders across the state. The mission of the DNLR board is to enhance, protect, conserve, and manage Hawaii’s unique and limited natural, cultural, and historical resources that are held in public trust for current and future generations of the people of Hawaiʻi. Our ranches are stewards of over 1 million aces of land, a lot of which is leased from the State.
Jimmy also has his certificate of completion from the “Ranching for Profit” school. While attending a National Cattlemen’s College, he met Dr. Tom Noffsinger, who he later brought to Ulupalakua to teach low-stress cattle handling while driving, sorting, doctoring and weaning. Jimmy likes to say he “is a steward of the land, just passing through” and he has dedicated his life to being just that. He would like to say that he had a hand in leaving our ʻāina a little better than it was before he passed through.