Joseph "Big Joe" Santos
Year Inducted: 2007
J2 Santos Ranch | Maui
“Big Joe” was a much respected rancher on Maui who, along with his wife Harriet, owned and operated J2 Santos Ranch for nearly 50 years. This family ranch is still in operation today, run by Joe’s children who all helped in the success of the ranch.
As a youth, Joe was always interested in being a cowboy. When his uncles had their round-ups, he was always ready to help chase the cows from the gulches into the pen on foot. He didn’t own a horse until later years, but he always had his rope and was a willing hand with it.
In 1956 Joe married Harriet DeCambra, and in 1959 they established J2 Ranch. It was difficult for small ranchers to find an outlet to sell their beef, so Joe and Harriet opened a store on Front Street in Lahaina. They operated this business for 10 years, providing an opportunity for themselves and other local ranchers to market their home grown beef.
Joe purchased cattle for resale and did business with other ranches, big and small. He had a reputation as an honorable man who was always fair in his business dealings. As a rancher himself, Joe knew the value of quality in his herd, and never over-stocked his pastures. He said numbers didn’t count – it’s the product.
Joe was a member in good standing of the Cattlemen’s Association. He was also an active member of the Maui Roping Club and was always a leading contender at the annual Makawao Rodeo. He earned the nickname, “Big Joe”, for his stature, which was big in more ways than one.