Richard Smart resided in Waimea for the remainder of his life, taking on an active and forward-thinking role in the Ranch and the community, building a shopping plaza to support local businesses. He also wrote for the Ranch’s newspaper, Paka Paniolo, published from 1961-1970. He sold coastal Waikoloa lands for more luxury resort development, and mauka acreage for what is now Waikoloa Village. In 1980, he built the Kahilu Theatre (named for his mother) as a home for the arts in Waimea.
Smart passed away in 1992, after creating the Parker Ranch Foundation Trust to help serve the education and health needs of the community, with four beneficiaries: Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital, Parker School Trust Corporation, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy and Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
The Ranch’s legacy moves forward confidently, with the strong leadership of the Trust, and its story continues to be written by the people who live and work there, and honor the vision, values, and tradition of the living Parker Ranch legacy.
More information about the history of Parker Ranch is available in books and other resources at the Parker Ranch Store, including the series Loyal to the Land, by Ranch veterinarian Dr. Billy Bergin. http://www.parkerranchstore.com/loyal-to-the-land-i-by-billy-bergin/