The last Japanese American farm on the Peninsula will not longer turn a profit, but that’s by design
Hatano Farm, the last vestige of Japanese American farms that were prominent on the Peninsula prior to World War II, may soon be converted into a native plant farm — and Rancho Palos Verdes could pursue historical status for the land.
Overlookng the Hatano farm in Rancho Palos Verdes. The city of Rancho Palos Verdes is beginning the process of designating the only Japanese American farm on the Palos Verdes Peninsula a local, California and national historic landmark. Doug Hatano grew up working on his father’s farm in Rancho Palos Verdes. He’s pictured at the farm where he periodically returns to help with maintenance on the farm’s tractors. The farm is the last Japanese American farm on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Its fate will be determined at the Feb. 15 Rancho Palos Verdes City Council meeting.
Postcard image shows aerial view of coastal farming along the west side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula around 1911 to 1920. Because of the complexities of applying for historic status, though, the city plans to hire a consultant to assist with the nomination process, Deputy City Manager Karina Bañales said at the Tuesday, June 7, council meeting
The Peninsula conservancy has expressed interest in hiring Martinez as a contractor or employee to oversee the native plant farm operation. But, according to city staff, Martinez’s availability might be limited in the future since he is currently growing crops on a farm in Fillmore, in the Bay Area. The U.S. Army was the farm’s original landlord, since it sat on former federal Nike Missile Site LA-55