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located inside of pu'u ualaka'a wayside state park
Hawaii's First Macadamia Nut Plantation
In the 1920’s Ernest Shelton Van Tassel began importing and planting macadamia nut trees from Australia. Van Tassel planted on 22 acres of the Pu’u Ualaka’a Wayside, which he leased from the, then, Territory of Hawai’i. In doing so, he established the Hawai’i Macadamia Nut Company Ltd., the first macadamia nut plantation in the state. At its height, there were over 2,000 macadamia nut trees growing in the Nutridge grove. Today, those same macadamia nut trees can be found throughout the Pu’u Ualaka’a State Park as well as right here at the Nutridge Estate.
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1800
The Pu'u 'Ualaka'a area was planted with sweet potato ('Uala) under King Kamehameha I.
1903
The Hawai'i Division of Forestry was created and Tantalus Road was built.
1922
The Hawai'i Macadamia Nut Company, Ltd. was established as the first macadamia nut plantation in Hawai'i
1925
Ernest Van Tassel commissioned architect Hart Wood to design and build the Nutridge House.
1968
Ernest Van Tassel passes away. All macadamia nut production moves to the Big Island.
1989
Rick Ralston moves into the Nutridge House where he and his wife lived for the next 25 years.
TODAY
Millwood Ohana Productions reopens the Nutridge Estate to host gatherings for locals and Hawaii's visiting guests.
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venue faq
LATEST VENUE INFORMATION PACKET
You may view our latest venue information packet by downloading below. Please watch our virtual site tour as we are currently not offering regular site tour appointments.
DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS
In order to make sure someone is there to meet you, please arrange an appointment if visiting our office location. For directions for your guests, please see below:
We are located on the beautiful hills of Tantalus. If you are driving, enter Nutridge Street into your GPS app in order to access our gate. You will enter Pu'u Ualaka'a State Park and continue to proceed straight rather than up to the lookout. We have parking for roughly 20-30 cars which is also shared with the public hiking trails.
Want to visit us or book a private luau or maybe host your own luau?