Our Story
Our roots run deep in Hawaiʻi soil, grounded in hard work, family, and a legacy that spans four generations of paniolo heritage.
Our story begins with building Griffith Livestock together. A shared vision, a deep commitment to agriculture, and a respect for the land and animals we care for every single day.
Oklahoma Roots
Dustin grew up in Oklahoma, surrounded by agriculture from day one. That’s where he learned to work cattle, manage land, and understand what it takes to do things right. Discipline, consistency, and showing up every morning whether you feel like it or not.
When he brought that experience to Hawaiʻi, it became the foundation for everything we’ve built. In 2001, we started Griffith Livestock with 30 head of cattle. Twenty-five years later, that herd has grown to over 400.
Two legacies. Hawaiʻi paniolo heritage and mainland agricultural roots. Together, they shaped who we are.
The Griffith Legacy
On Dustin’s side, the Griffith family has been in agriculture for generations. His great-grandfather was a pioneer in Mutual, Oklahoma, known for raising draft horses and introducing early custom harvesting equipment, including horse-drawn threshing machinery.
His grandfather farmed at Moscow Flats and later ran cattle and crops on leased ranch land along the Kansas–Oklahoma line north of Freedom. Wheat, hay, and livestock. Hard work and stewardship of the land, passed down the same way every generation before him had done it.
His father was raised at Moscow Flats before serving in the Marine Corps. He later returned to agriculture in Woodward, Oklahoma, where he built a program centered around registered Quarter Horses, further strengthening the family’s connection to livestock and horsemanship.
Hawaiʻi Paniolo Heritage
BobbieJo’s great-grandfather came from Scotland, bringing with him resilience, grit, and a deep respect for the land and livestock. What started as a journey across the ocean became the foundation of a family legacy built on cattle, stewardship, and tradition.
Both her grandfather and father dedicated their lives to the cattle industry here in Hawaiʻi, working at Kahua Ranch, one of the most respected historic ranches in the islands. Long days in the saddle, pride in your work, and responsibility to both land and livestock. That’s what paniolo life meant to them.
Their experience went beyond the pasture. They later ran a local slaughter and processing plant, gaining a full understanding of the industry from pasture to plate. That knowledge shaped the standards we still hold today: quality, integrity, and respect for every animal entrusted to our care.
Fourth-Generation Paniolo
We’re the fourth generation. Our kids are already in the saddle, learning the same lessons we learned from our parents. Feed early. Check water. Move the herd when the grass says it’s time. Keep the land better than you found it.
Our cattle eat grass and drink clean water. No feedlots, no shortcuts. We raise them on open pasture the same way our families have done for over a hundred years, guided by kuleana to the land and the animals on it.
This isn’t just beef.
This is our family’s story. Four generations of ranching, and we’re just getting started. We’re glad you’re here.
Mahalo for visiting us. We hope you enjoy our story and look forward to serving you.
