Robert L. "Bobby" Hind Jr.

Robert L. "Bobby" Hind Jr.

Year Inducted: 2013

Puʻuwaʻawaʻa Ranch | Hawai'i
McCandless Ranch | Hawai'i
Daleico Ranch | Hawai'i

“Bobby,” as people referred to him, was raised on Puʻuwaʻawaʻa Ranch in Kekaha, North Kona. His grandfather, Robert Hind, founded the ranch in 1895.

Bobby attended school at Puʻuanahulu in his early years with cousin Billy Paris, and then continued on to Punahou School on Oʻahu where he graduated in 1940. He also attended Stanford University.

He returned home and began working for Puʻuwaʻawaʻa Ranch. From 1942 through 1950 he served as foreman for the ranch. At the time, market cattle were driven down to Kīholo Bay where they were delivered to the SS Humuʻula steamer by swimming them out to longboats for loading onto the larger vessel—truly arduous and dangerous work.

From 1950 through 1953 he served as manager for the Hōlualoa section of Puʻuwaʻawaʻa Ranch. From 1953 through 1957 he served as manager for the Honomalino section. It was here that he was instrumental in turning a wild cattle operation into a productive, controlled section with the development of water systems and the introduction of grasses and legumes that enhanced the nutritional value of the pasture land there.

Puʻuwaʻawaʻa Ranch was sold in 1947, and soon after Bobby was hired as manager for McCandless Ranch in Hoʻokena, South Kona. Again, he turned a wild cattle operation into a productive program by culling the herds and replacing them with stronger cattle stock. He retired from McCandless Ranch in 1968.

While working at McCandless Ranch full-time, Bobby, with wife, Florence “Coco” (Vredenburg), founded a small ranch called Daleico in Kamāʻoa, Kaʻū in 1959. After his retirement from McCandless in 1968, he enjoyed managing his own operation until his passing in 1988.

Bobby was active in many different “arenas” during his lifetime. He was on the board of Kahua Beef Sales where he set policies regarding the slaughter plant and marketing business. He founded and chaired the Hawaii Bull and Horse Sale in 1965. He was president of the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Association and Council, as well as a University of Hawaii Regent. Bobby was instrumental in securing funding to provide water to South Kona for agriculture use when he served as Representative in the Territorial Legislature.

Even though Bobby was surrounded by animals his entire life—cattle, horses, dogs, pigs, et cetera— his famous words of advice to his four children were: “Never buy anything with a mouth.”