Alpacas

Production and Operations

On Hawaiʻi Island, only a handful of farms keep alpaca since their recent introduction to the state. In 2016, three Hawaiʻi Island breeders jointly imported 14 alpacas from Oregon to Hawai'i establishing the first herds, citing rising local demand for these South American camelids. Today, Hawaiʻi Island’s alpaca operations remain small-scale – typically family-run farms with a few dozen animals – but interest has been “small but growing” statewide. Alpacas thrive in the island’s mild climate (especially in upland areas) and are prized for their soft, lanolin-free fleece. Farms like those in Honokaʻa and North Kohala shear their alpacas annually and process the fiber into yarn and felt, selling these value-added products at island farmers’ markets and local shops. The fleece, often blended with sheep’s wool, is popular among crafters for its light weight and hypoallergenic qualities. Breeding stock is another revenue source; healthy, well-tempered alpacas are sold to new farmers or as companion animals.

Alpacas are integrated into sustainable farm systems on Hawaiʻi Island. They are gentle grazers and serve as “eco-friendly lawnmowers,” helping control pasture grass without the heavy impact of larger livestock. Notably, alpaca manure – dubbed “Alpaca Gold” – is a sought-after fertilizer. Farmers compost the pelleted droppings or even steep them to make “alpaca tea,” a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer for gardens. This repurposing of waste underscores the species’ low environmental footprint. Unlike traditional livestock, alpacas are not slaughtered for meat in Hawaiʻi; instead, they contribute economically through fiber production, farm tourism (many farms offer tours or “alpaca experiences”), and soil health improvements. Alpaca farmers on Hawaiʻi Island often collaborate, forming informal hui (groups) to share resources. For example, the 2016 import mentioned above was a collective effort to diversify bloodlines and split transportation costs. Such cooperation helps overcome the challenges of distance and logistics when sourcing animals from the mainland.

Markets and Value-Added Products

The market for alpaca fiber and related products on Hawaiʻi Island is boutique-sized but enthusiastic. According to Hawaiʻi Business Magazine, local alpaca yarn and felt products sold through venues like the Waimea farmers’ market tend to “regularly sell out,” indicating strong local consumer interest in island-grown fiber. Some Hawaiʻi Island alpaca farms have established retail partnerships; for instance, farms supply yarn to local craft stores and finished goods to gift shops. There is also emerging interest in alpaca manure products – entrepreneurs have noted a “burgeoning market” for packaged alpaca compost and fertilizer teas, though this remains a small-scale, on-farm endeavor so far. Beyond product sales, alpacas contribute to agritourism: visitors are drawn to the novelty of alpacas in Hawaiʻi, providing farms with income from tours, petting zoos, and educational workshops on fiber arts.

References

Hawaiʻi Business Magazine (2017) documented the early growth of Hawaiʻi Island’s alpaca sector, including breeder collaborations and fiber marketing. Industry anecdotes and farm profiles highlight how alpacas are being integrated into local agriculture. While official census data for alpacas is aggregated under “Other animals,” the qualitative reports suggest a modest increase in alpaca numbers driven by fiber-market potential and diversification of island livestock.

• Sources:

  • Hawaiʻi Business Magazine – “Not Your Father’s Stock” (Jan. 2017)

  • Hawaiʻi Magazine – “Did You Know There are Alpaca in Hawaiʻi?” (2018)

  • Hawaiʻi Business Magazine – interviews with Hawaiʻi Island alpaca breeders