Four Generations of Farmers

Kahuku Farms is a result of two farming families spanning back three generations in Hawaii. Descendants of the Matsuda/Fukuyama families migrated to Hawaii from Japan to work in the sugar plantations back in the 1900's. 

Today, a member of the fourth generation, Kylie Matsuda champions the task of running the operations for Kahuku Farms. A graduate of the locally-cherished Kahuku High School as well as the Travel Industry Management School at the University of Hawai’i, Kylie returned to the farm to put her education into practice in 2005. She began by opening a small farm stand that has evolved into a beloved cafe and North Shore refuge from the crowds of tourist hotspots. Kylie says, “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.” The farm remains full of history and family, with members of the Matsuda and Fukuyama families filling diverse roles to keep operations running smoothly.  

History of “Kahuku Brand”

Shinichi and Torie Matsuda started farming bell peppers, papayas, watermelon and bananas in Kahuku back in the 1940's and were later joined by their son Melvin in the 1960's. During a similar time Masatsugu and Nora Fukuyama, also of Kahuku, were farming watermelon, eggplant, papaya and cucumbers and were later joined by their son Clyde in 1965. Clyde and Melvin became long time friends and did several farming ventures together, one of which took them to Australia where they both worked for a year growing watermelons. With similar philosophies and goals, they both decided to merge the Matsuda and Fukuyama Farms in 1986 creating Kahuku Brand. Kahuku Brand is a company dealing primarily with growing and distributing Hawaii wholesale fruits and vegetables.

With the love of agriculture deeply rooted with both Mel and Clyde, they felt compelled to create a way to diversify and share the wonders and bounty of farming with friends and family, to educate, share and offer hands-on experiences that would enhance the quality of life and result in a deeper appreciation of agriculture as their purpose.

Thus, Kahuku Farms was created. A place intended for learning, enjoyment, and experience of diversified agriculture at its finest.