John Holi Ma'e
Year Inducted: 2024
1899-1990
Kukaiau Ranch, Parker Ranch | Hawaiʻi
Born July 9, 1899 in Paʻauilo, Hāmākua, Hawaiʻi, John Holi Maʻe was one of 17 children born to Maʻe Holi Moano and Kumualiʻi Kekahimoku. Homesteading in the upper elevation of Oʻokala Mauka, in an area called Niupeʻa his family was self sufficient in gardening and animal husbandry giving him skills that lasted a lifetime.
His father Maʻe Holi died in a horse accident while working for Sam Parker Jr. at Humuʻula Sheep Station when Holi was nine years old, a tragedy that accelerated him to early manhood. He went to work cowboying for Sam Parker Jr. in 1913 but was lured away to Kukaiau Ranch Ltd. for better pay, housing, and access to quality horses. But, especially to support his mother and siblings who continued homesteading at nearby Niupeʻa.
With the coming of WWI and the need for cavalry mounts, Kukaiau Ranch Ltd. was frequently called upon as a resource that offered two features; well-bred Standardbred geldings, and, a young horseman that excelled in technique. Holi was called upon to take the select three-year-old colts and present them to the cavalry as finished mounts for military officers. Holi did this parallel to developing into a lead cowboy for the sprawling Hereford herds of the ranch. Over the coming decades, the name Holi was spoken with respect throughout the Territory. But Holi yearned for his own outfit.
In 1952, he and his wife Esther legally adopted their hanai daughters Laverne Kealoha and Verna Mae Ako. It was during the same year when Holi was awarded a 99-year lease on a choice Department of Hawaiian Homelands 300-acre ranch in Nienie. Along with his family, he made plans to move to Kuhio Village and build a new home.
As Holi retired with honor from Kukaiau Ranch Ltd., capping a 45-year career at age 60, he was immediately hired by Hartwell Carter as a horse trainer for a five-year contract. With a home in Kuhio Village, it was a five-minute ride to Pukalani Stables where he worked. After fulfilling his contract at Parker Ranch, Holi “retired” again to devote his full time to refine the rotational fencing and water supply to his Nienie Ranch.
Holi paralleled his reputation in horsemanship with cattle management. Having acquired a herd of 60 bred Hereford heifers from Parker Ranch on a chattel mortgage, he purchased two quality polled Hereford bulls from Kukaiau ranch Ltd. and began paying off his note via the annual payback in calf crops after the first year. Parker Ranch would receive the calf crops at the Makahalau Section scale house. With his high weaning and production percentages his chattel mortgage was satisfied in four years.
Holi worked closely with Soil Conservation personnel in introducing new forage species and building earthen dams for water supply. In his twilight years, he turned the ranch over to his daughter Laverne Kealoha Ah Ching. In going full circle, the ranch continues to be operated by his direct descendants.
John Holi Maʻe and his paniolo legacy lives on through his family and his ranch in Nienie. In the roots of the grass and trees that he planted, in the stories of a time gone by and in the history of a genuine Paniolo who loved and appreciated the land, the animals, and the folks around him.