Castle & Cooke Hawai‘i
In 1837, Samuel Northrup Castle and Amos Starr Cooke landed in Hawaiʻi to begin their new lives. First missionaries, then teachers, then merchants, then pineapple and sugar plantation owners, first in Hawaiʻi and then worldwide. In Hawaiʻi, the company eventually shifted focus to residential and commercial real estate development, becoming one of the state's largest developers of master-planned communities.
Building Toward A Sustainable Future
Our islands boast precious and finite natural resources, and Castle & Cooke understands what it takes to live, grow, and thrive in this special place. That’s why our company’s environmental objectives are our top priority. We’ve invested time, research, and resources into providing quality products and services for our customers while mitigating and minimizing our impact on the environment. Our aim is to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
FEATURED SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES
Dole Plantation Solar Farm
In 2014, Dole Plantation, one of Hawai‘i’s most popular attractions with more than 1 million visitors each year, went solar to help reduce energy costs and promote sustainability.
A ground-mounted solar energy system includes 746 panels on about a half-acre of land adjacent to the train tracks along the final stretch of the Pineapple Express train tour.
In addition to benefitting from the energy savings, Dole Plantation uses the system to help educate local residents and off-island visitors about clean energy’s role in current practices and the future of agriculture.
Dole Plantation EV Charging Stations
In 2015, Hawaiian Electric opened its first fast-charging station for Electric Vehicles (EV’s) at Castle & Cooke’s Dole Plantation attraction in Central Oʻahu.
Due to Dole Plantation’s popularity, as well as its strategic location as the last stop on the way to Oʻahu’s world-famous North Shore, this is a perfect spot to launch the first of the company's fast-charging EV stations.
The utility hopes the fast charger will eliminate “range anxiety” for Electric Vehicle drivers traveling between Honolulu and the North Shore.
With a fast charger, a near-depleted battery can recharge to about 80 percent capacity in 30 minutes and even less for smaller recharges.
The charger was the first of its kind on Oʻahu, supporting both types of fast charging for Asian-built EVs, as well as American and European EVs.
Dole Cannery Solar &EV Charging Stations
An iconic landmark and an important part of Hawaiʻi’s agricultural history, Dole Cannery transformed from what was once the worldʻs largest pineapple cannery operation into today’s state-of-the-art office and retail complex.
In the spirit of continuing to look forward and plan for Hawaiʻi’s clean energy future, Castle & Cooke is in the process of installing approximately 1,384 photovoltaic solar panels on the various Dole Cannery office building rooftops which will provide efficient renewable energy to the company’s wide mix of tenants.
In addition, to support clean transportation, the property also features free EverCharge Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations in the parking structure and two HECO DC Fast Chargers in the surface parking lot.
Castle & Cooke Aviation Solar Farm
As part of Castle & Cooke’s company-wide sustainability initiatives, a roof-top solar farm is planned for Castle & Cooke Aviation’s hangar in Honolulu.
Approximately 468 photovoltaic solar panels are scheduled to be installed by the end of 2021. This will help reduce the buildings’ carbon footprint and provide the facility and its tenants with clean renewable energy.
RESIDENTIAL SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES
Solar Water Heating Systems & PV Ready Homes
As part of our long-term sustainability plan for Koa Ridge, we’ve built our homes and community infrastructure to accommodate today’s clean energy technologies as well as future advancements.
Currently, all Koa Ridge single-family and paired homes are delivered Photovoltaic (PV) ready for ease of future installation of solar panels by the homeowner. By reducing the cost and hurdles to installing PV, we hope to increase our homeowners' reliance on clean energy technologies and initiatives.
All Koa Ridge homes also include a solar water heating system which provides additional energy savings.
Electric Vehicle Ready Garages
All Koa Ridge homes with a garage are delivered Electric Vehicle (EV) ready which includes a conduit for ease of future installation of an electric vehicle charging station.
An EV-ready home provides consumers with safe access to a dedicated 240V power supply for faster Level 2 EV charging. Pre-wiring new homes for EV charging during construction can translate into considerable dollar savings for our homeowners later.
Community EV Charging Stations
In addition to the Electric Vehicle (EV) ready garages available in each home, Koa Ridge will also offer community accessible EV charging stations.
Starting with the Malina at Koa Ridge neighborhood, two EverCharge charging stations will be available.
Stormwater Filtration
Castle & Cooke has a history of leading the way in new areas of master-planned community development and sustainability initiatives.
We’re proud that Koa Ridge is one of the first residential communities in Hawaiʻi to have installed an advanced biofiltration system that treats stormwater by separating trash, sediment, and pollutants before they enter our ocean waters.
This is one example of how Castle & Cooke is taking steps to reduce our environmental impact within the communities we develop and well beyond.
Leadership With A Strong Vision for Hawaiʻi’s Future
To ensure that our vision for Hawaiʻi is realized, our experienced leadership team provides a wealth of in-house expertise—from site identification and zoning to construction, project management, financing, commercial leasing, legal, and marketing.
TEAM
Harry A Saunders, III
President
Harry Saunders is the President of Castle & Cooke Hawai‘i, the affiliated Hawai‘i subsidiaries of Castle & Cooke, Inc., and has been with the company for more than 45 years. He has extensive experience in real estate, developing and marketing planned communities, and establishing long-range operating objectives.- Mr. Saunders joined Castle & Cooke in 1975 and has ascended to his current position as President, since 2001.
- Mr. Saunders oversees all Hawaiʻi operations which include residential and commercial real estate, agritourism, retail, and food and beverage operations on O‘ahu. In the course of working with Castle & Cooke’s major customers, building and finance industries, and the government and public sectors he has earned a reputation as a well-respected business leader.
- Mr. Saunders’ legacy is the continuance of Castle & Cooke Hawaiʻi as a premier residential developer in the State of Hawaiʻi.
- Castle & Cooke’s flagship development, Mililani, is Hawaiʻi’s first master-planned community. Started in 1968 and completed in 2008, Mililani provided over 16,000 homes for Hawai‘i families. Additionally, another 8,000 homes were also developed throughout the State.
- Mr. Saunders’ passion for building homes and creating communities for Hawaiʻi families now continues at Koa Ridge, Castle & Cooke’s newest surban master-planned community in Central Oʻahu that will include over 3,500 homes when completed.
A native of Hawaiʻi, Mr. Saunders’ deep commitment and passion is to make Hawaiʻi a better, sustainable, enjoyable place for all who choose to live, work, and visit here.
Troy T. Fukuhara
Vice President, Corporate Counsel & Assistant Secretary
Troy Fukuhara is the Vice President, Corporate Counsel and Assistant Secretary for Castle & Cooke Hawaiʻi, and oversees the legal affairs for all Castle & Cooke Hawaiʻi operations.
Mr. Fukuhara has been with Castle & Cooke for over fifteen (15) years and has more than thirty-five (35) years of experience in Hawaiʻi real estate. Mr. Fukuhara advises Castle & Cooke Hawaiʻi in all aspects of commercial, residential, single-family, and agricultural real estate projects.
Mr. Fukuhara is licensed to practice before all courts in the State of Hawaiʻi. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Human Resources Management and a Juris Doctor Degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law. He has served on boards and committees for various community associations.
Lauralei Tanaka
Vice President, Controller and Assistant Treasurer
Lauralei Tanaka is the Vice President, Controller and Assistant Treasurer for Castle & Cooke Hawaiʻi and performs deal analysis, financial reporting, and notable transactions for all Hawaiʻi operations. Most recently, she helped secure financing for the Koa Ridge master-planned community in Central Oʻahu.
Ms. Tanaka has been with Castle & Cooke for over nineteen (19) years and has over thirty (30) years of experience in the field of accounting. Prior to returning to Castle & Cooke Hawaiʻi, Ms. Tanaka worked for HTH Corporation where she was responsible for overseeing the financing requirements of the company, performing deal analysis, and working on notable transactions including the sale of the Pagoda Hotel, restructuring of the Pacific Beach Hotel, and the purchase of additional lands and financing of the King Kamehameha Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. She also worked at The MacNaughton Group where she was responsible for the accounting and financial reporting for the Park Lane luxury condominium project.
Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Ms. Tanaka graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. She is a Certified Public Accountant, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and on the board of the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi.
Garret Matsunami
Vice President, Residential Operations
Garret Matsunami is Vice President of Residential Operations and is responsible for the execution of Castle & Cooke’s residential planning, land development, engineering, project management, sales, site construction and house construction. He leads a highly dedicated team with a proven track record of successful communities built for Hawaiʻi families.
Mr. Matsunami has been with the company for eighteen (18) years and started as a Site Engineer in 2003. Prior to his current position, Mr. Matsunami served as Castle & Cooke’s Senior Director of Construction where he was responsible for all engineering, site, and house construction activities.
Previously, he worked as Construction Section Head for the City & County of Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Engineering Branch where he managed civil engineers and construction inspectors to administer construction projects for the island of Oʻahu. He began his engineering career with the City of Los Angeles at Hyperion Treatment Plant, one of the largest wastewater treatment plants in the world.
Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Mr. Matsunami earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Long Beach; Certificate of Public Administration from the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa and Certificate of Management from the Hawaiʻi Leadership Academy. He is a former Trustee of the Hawaiʻi Section American Water Works Association.
Christopher M. Lovvorn
Vice President, Commercial Development
Chris Lovvorn is Vice President of Commercial Development for Castle & Cooke Properties, Inc. and is responsible for the development and property management of Castle & Cooke Hawaiʻi’s real estate portfolio. Mr. Lovvorn was previously Vice President of Renewable Energy and Lānaʻi Operations for Castle & Cooke for nine (9) years while he lived on Lānaʻi.
Mr. Lovvorn has been with the company for sixteen (16) years. Prior to joining Castle & Cooke, he worked as a Certified Public Accountant in Hawaii and on the U.S. Mainland. He has extensive experience in finance and the utility, hospitality, insurance, and construction industries.
Mr. Lovvorn holds current Real Estate Broker and Certified Public Accountant licenses in the State of Hawaii. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas with four (4) degrees including a Master’s degree in Accounting and Information Systems, and he is an alumnus of the Pacific Century Fellows and Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows programs.
Mr. Lovvorn has served his community on Lānaʻi as Island Director of the voluntary Income Tax Assistance program serving low-income families and seniors as well as being Founder and Executive Director of TriLanai LLC, a not-for-profit business that supports charitable organizations on Lānaʻi.
Susan Harada
Vice President, Retail Operations, Dole Plantation
Ms. Harada is the Vice President, Retail Operations, for Castle & Cooke Properties, Inc., and is responsible for overseeing the attractions, food and beverage, and retail operations at Dole Plantation, one of the top visitor attractions in the entire state of Hawaii.
Ms. Harada has been with Castle & Cooke for over thirty (30) years and has over thirty-six (36) years of retail experience. In her current position, Ms. Harada oversees a team of sixty (60) employees. Together, they ensure that Dole Plantation provides enjoyable and educational activities for the entire family which includes the Pineapple Express Train Tour, the Plantation Garden Tour, and the Pineapple Garden Maze. Ms. Harada also ensures that all informational displays and presentations, as well as the plantation country store, offer a wide variety of gifts, local favorites, foods, and refreshments to over 1 million guests that visit the Plantation every year.
Ms. Harada graduated from the University of Hawaii with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fashion Merchandising. Ms. Harada served on the board of the State of Hawaii Agribusiness Development Corporation for three (3) years, from 2005 – 2007.
Denise Kobashigawa
Director – Human Resources
A 27-year veteran with Castle & Cooke Hawaiʻi, Ms. Kobashigawa oversees all human resource policies and programs for the company. Her responsibilities include employee recruitment, development, relations, training, compensation, safety, and health services.
Ms. Kobashigawa began her career at Amfac in the Computer Data Center, then O‘ahu Sugar Company. She joined Castle & Cooke in 1994 as a payroll coordinator, and in 2011 decided to pursue her passion for HR. She views the company as a place that promotes individual success both personally and professionally.
Ms. Kobashigawa's goal is to continue to foster a safe, healthy, and fun workplace for all employees; a cohesive, nurturing environment that facilitates growth and achievement.
Tony L. Marlow
President, Aviation Operations & Business Development
Seasoned pilot, engineer, and manager, Tony Marlow oversees all aviation operations for Castle & Cooke throughout Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Mainland.
Before joining Castle & Cooke in 2008, Mr. Marlow was a flight test engineer, a pilot with both commercial and airline transport licenses, and a manager of several aviation companies and airplane fleets. His wide-ranging experience spans over four decades and includes major achievements, such as managing an airline fleet of more than 100 airplanes and several fixed-base operations (FBOs).
Formerly, Mr. Marlow was co-founder and vice president of Raytheon Travel Air. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Wichita State University.
Now residing in Honolulu, Mr. Marlow serves on the Board of Directors for Van Nuys Airport Association. His goal at Castle & Cooke is to provide all employees with a satisfying and enjoyable work environment, and ultimately, to provide exceptional customer service that exceeds client expectations.
A Rich History Of Growth And Diversification
Historical Timeline
1837 – Early History
In 1837, Samuel Northrup Castle and Amos Starr Cooke landed in Hawaiʻi, then known as the Sandwich Islands, to begin their lives as lay missionaries. Castle's assignment was to order, unload, and distribute supplies for the mission depository. Cooke's job was to teach local residents.
1851 – Humble Beginnings
Castle & Cooke was founded in 1851 as a partnership between Samuel Northrup Castle and Amos Starr Cooke as a department store that sold farm tools, sewing equipment, and medicine.
1858 – Investment in Sugar
In 1858, Castle and Cooke first ventured out of the mercantile business to make an investment in the new sugar industry. Over the next few decades, the company continued to invest heavily in Hawaii's sugar industry.
1860s – Diversification into Shipping
In the late 1860s, the company branched into the shipping business, handling shoreside business for a number of transpacific and inter-island vessels.
1910s – Expansion of Shipping
In the 1910s, Castle & Cooke invested in the Maston Navigation Company. Although Castle & Cooke had been in the shipping business for 50 years, a 1907 agreement with William Matson to be the agent for Matson Navigation Company greatly increased the company ʻs business in this area.
1925 – Diversification into Travel
In 1925, a group of entrepreneurs decided that the travelers to Hawaiʻi needed a luxurious place to stay during their trip. Then Chairman of Castle & Cooke, Edward Davies Tenney, oversaw the building of the $2 million Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
1931 – Dole Food Company Acquisition
In 1931, the company bought a 21 percent share of the Hawaiian Pineapple Company from James Dole, which was later renamed the Dole Food Company. In 1961, Castle & Cooke bought the remaining shares of Dole.
1958 – Oceanic Properties Formed
Throughout its history, Castle & Cooke had only owned real estate indirectly, as an investor in agricultural businesses. In 1958, that changed when Helemano Company, Ltd. was merged into Castle & Cooke, adding 27,000 acres of land to its holdings.
1961 – Expansion of Real Estate Holdings
By 1961, Castle & Cooke’s land holdings grew to 150,000 acres in Hawaiʻi and California. Projects included new communities, golf courses, apartments, medical buildings, and other developments worldwide.
1964 – Standard Fruit Company Acquisition
Between 1964 and 1968, Castle & Cooke acquired the Standard Fruit Company, adding bananas and other tropical fruits to its existing pineapple operations. The company maintained Dole's large pineapple plantations throughout Hawaiʻi, including on the island of Lanaʻi, where Castle & Cooke owned 98 percent of the island.
1970s – Restructuring and Transition
By the beginning of the 1970s, a decision was made to bring Castle & Cookeʻs many diversified companies together, tightening the corporate structure. All food activities, except sugar, were brought into a single group, Castle & Cooke Foods. Real estate activities, manufacturing, and merchandising were organized into two additional groups.
1985 – Flexi-Van Merger
In 1985, the company merged with the Flexi-Van Corporation, a transportation leasing company owned by David H. Murdock. The company was reorganized into three separate operations: Flexi-Van, Dole Food, and Oceanic Properties.
In 1991, the company was renamed Dole Food Company.
1995 – Real Estate Spin-off
In 1995, the real estate operations of The Dole Food Company were spun off as the newly reformed company, Castle & Cooke.
2008 – Completion and Final Sales of Mililani
Sales of the final phase of Mililani took place in 2008, closing a major chapter in the companyʻs 150-year history. Ultimately, Castle & Cooke invested over $3.5 billion in infrastructure and improvements to create this one-of-a-kind dream community.
2012 – Island of Lanaʻi Sale
In May of 2012, Oracle Corporation CEO, Larry Ellison, signed an agreement to buy most of the 6th largest Hawaiian island of Lanaʻi from Castle & Cooke.
2016 – Koa Ridge Moves Forward
In April 2016, Castle & Cooke’s Koa Ridge master-planned community in central O‘ahu was approved to move forward by the Hawaiʻi State Supreme Court .The project broke ground in November 2017.
2020 – Koa Ridge First Homeowners
Castle & Cooke welcomed the first homeowners to Koa Ridge, the company’s new Surban planned community in Central Oʻahu. Koa Ridge will ultimately include an estimated 3,500 homes for Hawaiʻi families as well as shopping, restaurants, a planned elementary school and Healthcare Campus, a community center, a 7.5 mile pedestrian walkway, and much more.
Samuel Northrup Castle
Amos Starr Cooke
Dole Cannery (1961)
Koa Ridge Master Plan Rendering 2021
Committed To Community
Creating communities is not only part of our mission statement, it’s in our DNA. Our community relations committee was established as part of a company-wide social responsibility program. We understand that our success depends upon the health and wellness of those who live, grow, and thrive in our communities. As we look toward the future, we remain committed to our responsibility to positively impact the lives of those who live, work, and play in and around our communities. Initiatives include employee volunteering, corporate donations, fundraisers, and corporate matching programs with non-profit organizations that align with our mission.
FEATURED
HomeAid Hawaii
A founding member of HomeAid Hawaii in 2015, Castle & Cooke Hawaiʻi donates time, money, and resources to help support the organizationʻs objectives. Harry Saunders, Castle & Cookeʻs president, has served on the board since the non-profitʻs inception, and he currently serves as the President of HomeAid Hawaii.
HomeAid Hawaii is a 501(c)(3) non-profit comprised of Hawai‘i's developers, members of the building industry, and industry-related fields. The organization partners with non-profit service providers to offer pro-bono assistance to address homelessness.
Through the generosity of Hawai‘i’s builders, their trade partners, financial institutions, private foundations, and the public, HomeAid Hawaii has helped house more than 6,500 individuals and families experiencing homelessness on our streets today.
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement using sports, health, education, and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities.
For over 25 years, Castle & Cooke and its employees have supported and volunteered at the annual Summer Games on Oʻahu. The staff shows up bright and early to cheer on the athletes and to cook and prepare snacks and beverages for the volunteers and the athletes' families.
Volunteering is not only a great way for our team to give back to the community, it also provides a fun and rewarding team bonding experience.
Heart Walk
The annual Heart Walk is the American Heart Association's premiere event for raising funds to save lives from this country's No. 1 and No. 5 killers—heart disease and stroke.
As a regular sponsor of the event, Castle & Cooke gets the entire company involved in the mission by participating in the Heart Walk and setting a company-wide fundraising goal!
Weʻre proud to support the American Heart Association in their mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.
Waialua Robotics Annual Fundraiser
Every year since 2007, Dole Plantation has hosted an annual luau to raise funds for the Waialua High and Intermediate School Robotics Program. The money raised helps pay for the student’s travel to compete in global robotics competitions. The Waialua team was Hawai‘i’s first robotics-related program when it was founded in 1999—and it has become an award-winning international leader that was selected for the FIRST Robotics Competition “Hall of Fame” Chairman’s Award in 2011.
CHARITABLE SERVICES & DONATIONS
Aloha United Way
American Heart Association
American Red Cross
Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii
Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi
Child & Family Service
Hawaii First, Inc
Hawaii Foodbank
Hawaii Homeownership Center
Hawaii Humane Society
Hawaii International Child
Hawaii Mission Houses
HomeAid Hawaii
HUGS
Institute for Human Services
Kama'aina Kids
Lanakila Meals on Wheels
Next Step Shelter
Palama Settlement
Pali Momi Foundation
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Rail Society
Salvation Army
Saving Hawai'i's Forests
Special Olympics
Susan G. Komen
The Giving Tree
The Queen’s Medical Center – West Oʻahu
Toys for Tots
A Proud Part Of Hawai‘i’s History. And Its Sustainable Future.
Castle & Cooke’s roots run deep in the history of our islands—and weʻve developed a time-honored tradition built around our mission of investing in Hawai‘i, creating communities, and delivering dreams.
Formed in 1851 by Samuel Northrup Castle and Amos Starr Cooke, Castle & Cooke began as a Hawai‘i merchant partnership and has transformed into a diverse family of world-renowned companies.
Our Hawai‘i portfolio includes residential and commercial real estate management and development, agritourism, retail, food and beverage, and aviation services.
With local community planning excellence spanning several decades, Castle & Cooke has delivered more than 24,000 homes in Hawai‘i, including over 16,000 homes in our flagship master-planned community of Mililani, which was named an All-America City in 1986 by the National Civic League.
Castle & Cooke’s legacy now continues at Koa Ridge, with the creation of a smart, sustainable, and vibrant master-planned community—a place for Hawai‘i to live, grow, and thrive.
Our Mission
Investing in Hawai‘i, Creating Communities, and Delivering Dreams.
Our Vision
To create smart, sustainable, and vibrant planned communities where the people of Hawaiʻi can live, grow, and thrive.
Our Business
Castle & Cooke Hawaiʻi owns, manages, and develops residential, commercial, and mixed-use real estate throughout Hawaiʻi, including the award-winning master-planned community of Mililani, Dole Cannery, Dole Plantation, Mililani Technology Park, and Castle & Cooke Aviation. Our new Koa Ridge Surban master-planned community in Central Oʻahu includes residential, commercial, industrial, educational, and healthcare components.
Our Approach
As one of Hawaiʻi’s premier developers of communities and commercial properties, we approach planning with respect for Hawai‘i’s traditions and finite natural resources. By incorporating clean energy technologies and innovative community design that promotes non-motor traffic, Castle & Cooke embraces the principles of sustainability and smart growth. Looking forward, we remain committed to working closely with local residents, businesses, community organizations, and government agencies to develop new and forward-thinking communities designed to enhance the lives of those within and around our developments.
The Hawaiian government has good reason to legalize casinos. In addition to the obvious benefits to local tourism, it can also bring income to the struggling state's economy. However, it should be noted that the
high payout casinowill create a large number of new jobs. As a result, the Hawaiian gambling industry will be a great success. The issue of gambling in Hawaii has sparked much debate, especially after lawmakers rejected a proposal for a casino last year.