Supporting Growth
Our land management approach supports the preservation of historic sites and enhancing the many plants, birds, and other endangered species. Partnering with key businesses and organizations to support the needs of our island community is one of many ways Grove Farm is working to build a more sustainable Kauaʻi.
Livestock and Diversified Agriculture
Through its long history, Grove Farm has always encouraged diversified agriculture. Supporting and promoting our local farmers and ranchers increases food security, provides fresh produce, and bolsters our economy. Today, Grove Farm has over 100 leases and licenses with farmers and ranchers. Pasture lands are leased to ranchers who raise high-quality Kauaʻi beef and keep the tradition of the paniolo alive. Areas with high-quality soil and access to water sources have agricultural tenants that grow a plethora of produce from taro, fruits, vegetables, tropical flowers, and sod. Produce from our farmers and ranchers can be found at farmer's markets, grocery stores, and restaurants across the island.
Creative land management is always encouraged. Sometimes a site can be productive in both renewable energy and agriculture. At the Tesla Solar facility and the Kōloa Solar Farm, over 250 sheep are used to maintain the vegetation around the solar panels. This creative mixed-use practice is an economic win-win for both the solar facilities and the sheep farmer through shared costs.
Security & Best Management Practices
To ensure the safety of our lessees, Grove Farm proactively manages its lands via a licensed security firm’s services and a specialized security system for our gates. It is vital that lessees feel safe, and their property is being protected from theft and vandalism. In true Kaua‘i spirit – working as one big ʻohana – Grove Farm’s lessees are always vigilant in watching out for each other.
Our lessees are also aware of Grove Farm’s Best Management Practices while on property. The eradication of invasive species, restricting the use of plastics or BPA-containing products, and being mindful of not leaving items that will encourage the proliferation of invasive species, such as feral pigs, are always encouraged.
Realizing the need for invasive animal control to protect agricultural and conservation lands, Grove Farm formed the Animal Control Eradication (ACE) Team. It is made up of hunters and lessees that completed their eradicators’ license training. The ACE Team continues to do an excellent job of curbing the feral pigs on the property.
Recreational Use
Grove Farm partners with local ecotourism companies who offer zipline, tubing, skeet shooting, ATV off-roading, bass fishing, and even waterfall rappelling tours that operate in Lihuʻe and Kōloa. Besides providing interesting outdoor activities and learning opportunities for their guests, these tour operators contribute to Kaua‘i’s economy by providing jobs to hundreds of island residents. Many of these recreational activities allow you to experience some of the most secluded areas of Kaua’i, which are not normally readily accessible.
Movies and Visual Media
With a multitude of truly breathtaking vistas, Grove Farm lands offer a stunning array of backdrops used for many feature films, countless videos, and photo spreads. It's no surprise that Kauaʻi's nickname is "The Garden Isle" and have been used in a number of films spanning generations, from "South Pacific" (1957), "Diamond Head" (1962), "The Hawaiians" (1970), “Tropic Thunder” (2007), to the most recent being "Hobbs and Shaw" (2019), and a new Disney release coming soon.
Private Roads and Water Systems
Grove Farm manages former cane haul roads that once supported the sugar industry. Grove Farm maintains roads in Kōloa, Haiku, Lihuʻe, and Hanamā’ulu. One of the most appreciated and utilized private road provides guests vehicular access to Māhāʻulepū beach on the south side of Kaua’i. In times of bad weather, the road often gets damaged and access may be temporarily restricted for safety reasons. Still, Grove Farm maintains this road for public access to Māhāʻulepū beach year-round. This access road is open for public use from 7 AM to 6 PM daily.
Other critical infrastructures located on Grove Farm’s property include the Department of Water wells, storage tanks, and water transmission lines. Grove Farm proactively manages six reservoirs along with miles of flumes, ditches, and tunnels. These water resource elements are crucial to the delivery of potable water as well as providing for agriculture, ranching, and recreational activities.