During the 1950s and 60s, America was enjoying post-World War II prosperity and Hawaii was gaining in popularity with tourists arriving on the great luxury liners. Richard H. “Manduke” Baldwin (Sam’s oldest son, born in 1911) took over as President of the ranch in 1968. But it was in the 1930s that Manduke began his career with Haleakala Ranch.

As a student, he spent his summers on the ranch, often heading to Ulupalakua Ranch to rope wild cattle with legendary Hawaiian cowboy, Ikua Purdy. Manduke enjoyed talking story about Ikua, regaling us with tales of his sixth sense with the animals. While watching a wild bull in a pen of cattle, Ikua knew ahead of time that the bull was going to escape over a lava rock wall. Ikua pulled his kaula‘ili (lasso) from his saddle, and made a loop just in time to rope the bull as he was jumping over the wall.

Often referred to as the “Cattleman of the Century,” Manduke was renowned for his ability as a cowboy and his ability to understand genetics as it related to the breeding of better cattle. He was very knowledgeable about all the grasses and clovers growing on Maui, and was at the forefront of introducing new species to increase forage production for cattle. He was also the first cattle rancher to bring the Santa Gertrudis breed to Maui. Throughout your ride at Piiholo Ranch, you’ll still see evidence of this strong cattle breeding and the benefits reaped from Manduke’s soil and forage work. During the dark years of World War II, Manduke kept a close watch on events, listening to the news every night. Because of Maui’s proximity to Pearl Harbor, he was very concerned for the safety of his family and his men.

Manduke loved adventure and sport, and was hailed for his skill as a polo player both at Cornell University and on the famous Maui team of the 50s playing with Gordon von Tempsky and Oskie Rice for many seasons. Manduke liked to relate his favorite polo stories, especially one from the 1930s about then Major George S. Patton, who after a game on Maui, attended a big party at Ulupalakua Ranch and stood on his head while drinking a glass of whiskey “upside down.” An avid marlin fisherman, Manduke along with his wife Haku Baldwin (1913-2002) competed in the Kona Billfish Tournament every year during the 60s. Haku held a world record marlin catch for over 10 years. Haleakala Ranch was popular for its bird dog field trials and pheasant hunting. Every year at the beginning of the season, there would be an “opening hunt party” at the ranch’s hunting lodge located near the Crater. Manduke’s son Peter, a young boy at the time, remembers the parties and the games that go along with them – you’ll have to ask him to tell a tale or two.