A Hui Hou Miki Kato

Mikio "Miki" Kato, one of Kona's legendary cowboys, recently passed away. He was known for his exemplary stewardship to the lands of Puʻu Waʻawaʻa while living in the spirit of aloha ʻāina. He was a preservationist to the core, who paid attention to the rhythms of the land he lived and worked on. He respected the land. It was part of him and everything he did.

Miki was first employed by Puʻu Waʻawaʻa Ranch in 1956 as a carpenter. Later, he ventured into working with cattle and became the ranch's manager. A distinguished member of the Paniolo Preservation Society’s Paniolo Hall of Fame, Miki was a respected cowboy with a strict work ethic and an innovative mind. He worked on horseback for nearly 50 years and developed ways to make cowboy work easier. Even after retiring from the ranch, he spent many years helping care for the land of Puʻu Waʻawaʻa under the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources.

To us at Kona Historical Society, Miki was a treasure, dear friend, and mentor. He contributed to our exhibitions, collections in our archives and educational programs. His work and legacy lives on in the priceless knowledge, photographs, oral history, and artifacts he shared.

We extend our deepest and heartfelt aloha and gratitude to Miki's ʻohana. Weʻre sorry for your loss. Mahalo nui loa for sharing this incredible man with us! He will be greatly missed.