August News: Caring for the Land and Kaua‘i’s Future
Grove Farm Community Newsletter
August 2026 Edition
Rooted in Ranching: Will Pavao
You may know Will Pavao as Grove Farm’s property manager, helping care for thousands of acres of land across Kaua‘i. But long before he took on that role, Will’s life was already rooted in ranching.
Born and raised in Kalāheo, Will grew up in a household filled with animals. While he once imagined becoming a veterinarian, he found another way to build his life around the animals and outdoors he loved.
In the early 2000s, Will began helping close friends whose family had raised cattle for generations on land leased from Grove Farm. When they were ready to step away from ranching, they gave Will the opportunity to carry the work forward.
He began with a 285-acre ranch lease and approximately 30 cattle. Over time, as neighboring leases became available, Will fenced and cared for additional pastures. Today, he is working toward nearly 3,000 acres of grass leased from Grove Farm.To Will, more grass means the opportunity to grow his ranch, bring more cattle to market, and work toward a future where more locally raised beef can remain in Hawai‘i.
In addition, by rotating cattle and keeping invasive plants from taking over, Will helps sustain healthy pastures and reduce dry fuel that can feed fires.
Balancing his work as Grove Farm’s property manager and his ranching keeps him busy seven days a week, but Will does not describe it as a burden. His work carries forward Kaua‘i’s agricultural roots across generations. His grandfather worked in Kaua‘i’s sugar industry, and his father raised food for the family table and freezer. Now, Will hopes what he raises can one day serve more than his own family—it can help feed the island.
At the end of the day, his goal is simple: Caring for the land, supporting Kaua‘iʻs agriculture, and leaving the pastures better than he found them.
Celebrating at Kōloa Plantation Days
This year’s Kōloa Plantation Days theme was “The Last Harvest.” The theme carried special meaning during Grove Farm’s “Look Back Through the Sugar Era” tour, held on July 23 at the historical grounds where cane trucks once delivered their final loads of sugar cane to Kōloa Mill.
Tour participants learned how sugar cane, or kō, was transformed into raw sugar, with Kōloa Mill serving as the backdrop. They then boarded a bus to visit the Wilcox Tunnel, which helped transport cane efficiently to the mill and raw sugar toward Nāwiliwili Harbor.
Mahalo nui to Jan TenBruggencate and Allan Smith for once again sharing their stories and knowledge of Kaua‘i’s sugar era. Their insights helped bring this important chapter of the island’s history to life.
Mahalo as well to the Grove Farm team, led by Marleen Duarte, for organizing another successful tour. Although the activity was offered free to the public, participants were invited to donate to Kōloa Elementary School. Proceeds from the donations and sales of Jan TenBruggencate’s book, Grove Farm, Kaua‘i: 150 Years of Stewardship and Innovation, will be matched by the Grove Farm Foundation and presented to the school.
Congratulations to Arryl Kaneshiro, Kaua‘i County Councilmember and president of Kōloa Plantation Days, and the entire festival team for organizing another successful 10-day celebration honoring Kōloa’s plantation history, culture, and community.
Best Wishes to the 2026 Grove Farm Scholars
This fall, the 2026 Grove Farm Scholars will begin the next chapter of their education at colleges in Hawai‘i and on the continent.
David Braman will attend the University of Missouri in Columbia, where he plans to study kinesiology before pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Skyler Tanicala will study Management Information Systems at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Samantha Tominaga will attend Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where she will begin her path toward a career in medicine.
As recipients of the Grove Farm Scholars Program, David, Skyler, and Samantha will each receive a $20,000 scholarship to support their college education. Now in its 17th year, the program recognizes Kaua‘i public high school seniors whose academic achievement, leadership, character, and commitment to serving others reflect the promise of the island’s next generation.
As they prepare to leave home, each scholar carries forward not only their own goals, but also the encouragement of the families, teachers, and community members who helped them reach this milestone. We wish them confidence, curiosity, and success as they meet new people, embrace new opportunities, and begin this exciting journey. Congratulations, David, Skyler, and Samantha. Kaua‘i will be cheering you on.