Horse handler Mark Vinluan shows one of the 69 horses to be sold on Saturday at Hoku Ranch. Photo by Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin

Hoku Ranch, a riding stable adjacent to the Dole Pineapple Pavilion near Wahiawa, has to sell off all its animals, harness gear, feed, some vehicles, former shipping containers used as offices and other items.

"Dole called the lease on the land," said auctioneer David St. John, of Able Auction Co., who will conduct the sale.

"I'm going to auction each horse, with a rider, saddle and halter," St. John said. "They don't get to keep the rider, though," he joked.

American Fence Co. is building a special pen and fence system to create a show box where each horse can be shown, he said.

Most of the horses are riding animals, but there are also some Percheron draft horses, the white animals seen towing carriages around Honolulu Hale for Christmas light viewing. The carriages are also for sale. "You could make it your business," St. John said.

There are some polo ponies, quarter horses - some of them registered - and various other riding horses, 40-50 saddles, bridles, blankets, various wagons and other equipment.

Brian Rodrigues began operating Hoku Ranch in the summer of 1992, in partnership with Dole Corp., as an adjunct to the pineapple show place. Sebastian Spina, manager, said Tuesday that the horses are housed on 42 acres of land, but the trail rides on Dole property extend over about 1,000 acres.

There is one foal, 10 months old, but the rest of the horses are two years old and up, Pina said. They are basically calm animals, he said, although there are few spirited animals good for roping, barrel racing and other rodeo activities.

Because it's livestock, St. John has arranged inspections before the auction. The horses will be on view Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and again Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., when the auction begins.

Buyers also ought to be aware that horses need upkeep and they should check out stables to inquire about costs and conditions, he said.

However, St. John said he is also able to house them on pasture a few miles from their current location, for $75 a month each. The new owners won't need to buy feed, St. John said, because there is plenty of grass growing at the location.

The auction will take place at the stables at 64-1550 Kamehameha Highway. For more information, call Able Auction at 526-3755.