As resource manager for the ranch, Duke has been integral in setting up and maintaining the sanctuary for the endangered Hawaiian nene birds. He’s had hands-on involvement in every phase of the project from site preparation, fence building, pond construction, and native plantings, to making spot checks on the birds to ensure they are thriving. Duke’s overall vision for Piiholo Ranch is to protect what native plants exist, develop an eradication and control program for invasive plants, and re-populate fenced areas with native species such as the beautiful koa trees that were once abundant in this area. He states, “We are putting back into the land what generations have taken out!”

For the past twenty years Duke has been a helicopter pilot, logging more than 12,000 flight hours. He has flown for the police department, fire department, conservationists, and visitors, and earned the Medal of Honor from the Maui Police Department for his heroism when saving the lives of three police officers during a helicopter accident in 1998.

As chief pilot for Windward Aviation for eleven years, he provided airlift for firefighters and search and rescue missions, saving 25-30 people who were stranded or lost hiking in the streams and mountains of Hawaii. “I have experienced some intense, difficult and dangerous rescues, but it was an extremely rewarding career, full of long and hard days,” says Duke. He also flew Alex Air for three years, was a flight instructor for Japanese visitors at Maui Flight Training Center, flew for Air Cavalry in Los Angeles, and was a contract pilot for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in Maui and Guam.

Duke’s interest in native plants and forests was stimulated by many hours of flying top research biologists into and out of some of the most remote and exotic forest areas that exist in Hawaii. His piloting would include aerial surveys of the forests, flying researchers to conduct ground surveys of plants and birds, and swingloading materials for fencing projects. All of this has given him an incredible perspective of the rainforest ecosystem of Hawaii that very few people have had the opportunity to experience. This has naturally added an important dimension to his transition as resource manager at Piiholo Ranch. “I’ve joined the family team at Piiholo Ranch for my children,” he states. “If we don’t act now, there will be nothing left of the native ecosystem for future generations. I want to preserve and protect what makes this place unique. While we are a small part of the larger picture, my job is very rewarding and I feel we are growing something to be left behind as a legacy. I think people enjoy the tradition of Piiholo Ranch, and I believe we set a good example for other ranchers and landowners.”