Ainahou Garden and Ranch House - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery

In 1941, Herbert C. Shipman, son of W. H. Shipman and manager of W. H. Shipman, Ltd., built the 'Ainahou Ranch House that exists on the site today. His original intent in constructing the house was to establish a remote, mountain retreat for his family in the event of a military invasion of Hawai'i by Japan. The main residential complex, including ranch house and the surrounding grounds were used by Shipman as a residential retreat amid the larger 6324 acre cattle ranching property. During World War II, 'Ainahou Ranch supplied beef to the military. After World War II, the ranch supplied meat to Hilo outlets for approximately 20 years.