Hard work + dedication for over 70 years.

our history

Waimanalo Country Farms, formally known as Golden Melon Farm, was started in 1948 by our Great-Great-Grandfather, Gee Chong Wong, Great-Grand-Unlce Tuckee Wong, and our late Great-Grand-Uncle Ronald K.S. Wong. With the help of family, they managed to start something that would generate the course of our lives that we wouldn’t trade for the world. Tuckee Wong went to the department of agriculture and registered the farm one day. The original farm was only the portion of what is known now as field four. As time went on, the farming neighbors would give up their plot of land and our family farm slowly but surely expanded. Now here we are today, six generations later; planting good seeds on good ground.

1948-1960

The farm was known for doing “truck farming”. Truck farming consisted of produce such as broccoli, kai choi, green onion, Chinese peas, sweet potato, and tomatoes.

1960-1972

Melons galore. The farm became well known for their melons; all thirteen varieties to be exact. We grew every type of watermelon that was around back in the day. We were also the first to grow the “golden melon” which is golden yellow on the outside and dark red on the inside. The farm was known as “Golden Melon Farms” all the way until 2001. Then in the 70’s, all the boys went off to Vietnam so the family was forced to transition to corn crops. Corn crops seemed to be a simpler way of farming without the man power.

1972-2009

Corn seemed to be the right fit crop for farming; at least for our family. Although Shawn has been working on the farm since she was a little girl, both her and Dominic (who are now the current owners), studied under Uncle Ronald and learned how he farmed (between 1991-2001). In 2001, Uncle Ronald handed over the tractor keys and a full-time farming life to Shawn and Dominic. Up until 2009, the farm was strictly a corn crop producing farm.

2010-Present

The pumpkin patch was created in 2010 along with the first batch of sunflowers. Before Uncle Ronald passed away, he taught us about the watermelons and how to grow them just as he did. We’ve also added bees for our very own honey! The farm is well-known for our sunflowers, corn, and pumpkin patch. Today, not only has out crops grown, but our family has as well. With an additional two son-in-laws and four grandchildren, it truly is a family affair.