Four Generations of Farmers
ahuku Farms is a result of two farming families spanning back over 100 years and four generations in Hawai’i.
Descendants of the Matsuda and Fukuyama families migrated to Hawaii from Japan to work in the sugar plantations back in the early 1900’s. Along the way, they began farming bell peppers, papayas, watermelon, bananas, sweet potato, pineapple and other crops.
Beginnings
Growing up on neighboring farms, Clyde Fukuyama and Melvin Matsuda became childhood friends. Throughout the years, they realized they had similar philosophies and goals in agriculture and with a hand shake, they merged their family farms into Matsuda-Fukuyama Farms during the 1980’s.
What started as two small family roadside stands on Kamehameha Highway, providing freshly harvested fruits and vegetables to the local community has now evolved into a 140 acre operation
KAHUKU FARMS OVER THE YEARS
early 1980’s - The old Fukuyama Family Watermelon Stand
1980’s - Kylie on the
Watermelon Farm
1996 Watermelon Roadside Stand; Left to Right - Shinichi and Torie Matsuda, Masatsugu Fukuyama
2010 Opening of the Farm Café;
Kalyn Matsuda, Kylie Matsuda-Lum and Judah Lum
2021 Melvin Matsuda with daughters Kalyn and Kylie
KAHUKU FARMS OVER THE YEARS
1980’s - Kylie on the
Watermelon Farm
early 1980’s - The old Fukuyama Family Watermelon Stand
2021 Melvin Matsuda with daughters Kalyn and Kylie
1996 Watermelon Roadside Stand; Left to Right - Shinichi and Torie Matsuda, Masatsugu Fukuyama
2010 Opening of the Farm Café;
Kalyn Matsuda, Kylie Matsuda-Lum and Judah Lum
The Partnership
Today our parent company, Matsuda-Fukuyama farms specializes in papaya, apple banana, long eggplant and lu‘au leaf under the Kahuku Brand label and can be found in most supermarkets throughout the island.
When they started farming together over 40 years ago, Clyde and Melvin never dreamed that someday their tractors would be pulling wagons full of people instead of watermelons.
Thus, Kahuku Farms was created.
A place intended for learning, enjoyment, and experience
of diversified agriculture at its finest.
Keeping the Farm Relevant
Out of a need to diversify and perpetuate the family business, Kylie Matsuda-Lum, sister Kalyn Matsuda and husband Judah Lum stepped up as the 4th generation to create the Farm Café at Kahuku Farms which is a true Farm to Table experience where we actually brought the tables to the farm.
The team has championed the task of running and developing Kahuku Farms as a North Shore destination and a place of gathering for the community. Its Farm Fresh Café, Wagon Rides and Educational Programs are a testament to fulfilling their legacy of farming and family for future generations.
“I feel honored and grateful to perpetuate our family’s future in farming…To share our generations of knowledge and history with others, in this amazing place that I’ve known as home is a dream I’m passionate to live.”
- Kylie matsuda-lum
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