This postcard was mailed in 1911 and documents the presence of water buffalo in Hawaiʻi during the islands’ territorial period of agricultural expansion and plantation labor.
Water buffalo were introduced to Hawaiʻi in the nineteenth century as working animals for hauling, plowing, and transport, particularly in wet lowland environments where conventional livestock struggled. Their appearance on postcards reflected both their practical role in rural industry and their novelty to visitors, who often associated them with broader Pacific and Asian farming traditions.
The image shows a small group of water buffalo standing together in a farmyard setting, identified in the printed caption as Caribou or Water Buffalo — Hawaii. The animals are shown close to the camera with visible horns and harnessing, emphasizing their size and utility rather than a scenic backdrop. The card is posted and bears an early twentieth-century message and cancellation, reinforcing its use as a firsthand travel or curiosity postcard from territorial Hawaiʻi.
The item shown in the listing is the exact item the collector will receive. We have tens of thousands of items to choose from. Shipping will always be combined (or refunded) to save you as much money as possible. Please contact us with any questions, or visit our store page for specifics.
