Kenneth "Blackie" Freitas
Year Inducted: 2009
Haleakala Ranch | Maui
Born in 1941, Blackie was raised on the 121-year-old Haleakala Ranch. In September 2008, he was recognized for 50 years of service, surpassing his father’s 49 year record. Blackie continues his role as the Ranch’s General Foreman with no plans to retire soon because “the Ranch is my life.” He has been married to his longtime sweetheart, Rose, for over 49 years. They have two children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A 4th generation employee of Haleakala Ranch, he follows in the footsteps of his father, Ernest Freitas, grandfather Louis Freitas, and great uncle Joe “Francis” DeRego. Brother Leroy “Blondie” Freitas was also a Ranch employee with over 45 years of service. Blackie worked with his father doing maintenance and started working full-time in 1958 for 67 cents an hour. When his Dad retired, he became Foreman. Current Cattle Manager Greg Friel refers to Blackie as the backbone of the ranch, helping him to train the next generation. Presently he maintains the water system with its pipelines, reservoirs, and tanks spread over the 30,000 acre Ranch. Blackie created the first tire-water trough system, used on Haleakala Ranch and other ranches as well. He is responsible for corral construction and helped design and build the Haleakala Pen, the Old Scale Pen, and others. There isn’t a part of the Ranch he doesn’t know.
Blackie has fond memories of growing up and working and playing on the Ranch. As a teenager, he delivered milk for the Haleakala Dairy. Blackie worked in the slaughterhouse and was also a stable boy under Johnny Sakamoto. Although times have changed Blackie retains the standards of the old ways that he learned from his forefathers and under the leadership of Richard “Manduke” Baldwin and Manduke’s son, Peter Baldwin.
Blackie is well known for his one-of-a-kind beautiful, handmade, stainless steel horse bits and spurs. Also Blackie makes all of the Haleakala Ranch’s branding irons. Blackie has worked with and learned from notable paniolo legends from yesterday and today: Louis Freitas, David Ventura, Harold Amoral, George “Sonny Boy” Manoa, Henry Silva, Benji Rollins, and Glen Souza. His love for Haleakala Ranch, the preservation of his paniolo heritage make him worthy of the honor of being inducted into the Hall of fame.
Blackie is well known for his one-of-a-kind beautiful, handmade, stainless steel horse bits and spurs. Also Blackie makes all of the Haleakala Ranch’s branding irons.
Blackie has worked with and learned from notable paniolo legends from yesterday and today: Louis Freitas, David Ventura, Harold Amoral, George “Sonny Boy” Manoa, Henry Silva, Benji Rollins, and Glen Souza. His love for Haleakala Ranch, the preservation of his paniolo heritage make him worthy of the honor of being inducted into the Hall of fame.