[3] Since many of his relatives were also named Alfred, he went by his initials "A. W." Carter attended Punahou School and became an officer in the Honolulu Rifles militia in July 1887.

He moved to the island of Hawaiʻi and became manager of the ranch, although his wife stayed in Honolulu where the children attended school.

Carter was often at odds with the other half-owner, Samuel Parker, who wanted to use income from the ranch to fund his lifestyle instead of expansion.

[8]: 263 In 1909 he formed the Hawaii Meat Company as a cooperative with other ranchers (although Parker Ranch was majority owner).

[10] Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area was originally named A. W. Carter Park for him, since he helped the territory acquire the land from the ranch.

[11] As a member of the territorial board of forestry from 1903 to 1907 and 1909 to 1912,[4] he helped establish the Hawaii forest reserves while his cousin George R. Carter was governor.