Ed was born in San Diego in 1931 and raised in Southern California by his single mother. He took an interest in cars, especially fast ones. 

After a stint in the Marines, Olson worked his way up as a construction worker to becoming a contractor and specialized in Gunite (spray concrete). In 1956, at age 25, Olson used $500 dollars to start the Superior Gunite Company, which sprayed concrete for flood control and road projects. The company also made around 34,000 swimming-pool shells across the Sun Belt.

In 1973, Olson founded A-American Self Storage, which became one of the nation’s largest self-storage companies. At the height of its existence, Mr. Olson rapidly grew the business and A-American had over 100 locations. 

Starting in the 1980s, Mr. Olson started visiting Hawaiʻi frequently - first ʻOahu and then the outer islands.  With the decline of the sugar industry in Hawaiʻi, he was able to acquire thousands of acres of agricultural land. 

O.K. Farms was founded, in 2002, with a mission to perpetuate sustainable agriculture in Hawaiʻi. Ed Olson and Troy Keolanui partnered to fulfill their vision of a diverse tropical fruit farm that is a part of their community for generations to come. 

By the 2010s, Mr. Olson held over 15,000 acres of land in Hawaiʻi, mostly dedicated to agriculture. This included thousands of acres of macadamia nut orchards. In 2009 he purchased Hāmākua Macadamia Nut Company to process and sell the nuts. Then in 2012, Ka’ū Coffee Mill was built by Mr. Olson to provide Ka’ū coffee growers a place to process their coffee.

On July 15, 2024, Edmund C. Olson passed away in his Hilo home, at the age of 93. He is remembered as the Boss, a decisive Leader, Philanthropist, loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle and Friend. His estate is held by the Edmund C. Olson Trust No. 2, with the mission to support sustainable agriculture, protect natural resources, and invest in Hawaiʻi’s people. Mr. Olson wished that this work continue to be done through the creation of a charitable foundation.