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Auntie Hanai Alii Hayashida was hard at work instructing volunteers in lei making for Hawaii's first paniolo participation in the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Lei for rodeo an
‘awesome’ challengeA master lei-maker and her volunteers
want Hawaii's debut on the national rodeo
stage to befit the rich history of paniolosBy Rosemarie Bernardo
Star-BulletinWith a small ice pick, Hayashida pierced a hole through the middle of a bright-yellow straw flower and ran a piece of wire through it. She intertwined four straw flowers together with Norfolk pine.
"Make sure it's subtle," Hayashida said to Robert Kahee, who was bundling straw flowers while seated across from her at home on Palolo Avenue yesterday. "You don't want the Norfolk pine to stick up too high," she said.
Hayashida, who has been nominated for a National Heritage Fellowship Award for master folk and traditional artists, has been making leis for 30 years. Raised in the paniolo country of the Big Island's Parker Ranch, she is also an accomplished kumu hula and drum-maker.
Still, she cannot make fresh flower and greenery leis for 50 horses and riders by herself. The 50 will participate in the rodeo's grand entry event next Friday.
Hayashida is leading volunteers from two hula halaus under kumus Dwayne Kaulia and Nalani Keale. The lei-makers are trying to make sure that Hawaii's premiere on the national rodeo stage befits the rich history of paniolos.
"This is the first time Hawaii has been recognized at the world rodeo," said Hayashida. "We've been trying for many years."
Coordinator Keikilani Kainoa said: "The National Finals Rodeo is like the Super Bowl of rodeo. For Hawaii to do a ceremony of this caliber is a challenge.
"But it's going to be awesome."
Adorned with leis created under the direction of Hayashida, the paniolo and pau riders will present a Hawaii-style, six-minute ceremony called "Old Hawaii on Horseback: A History of the Paniolo."
The presentation will include a historical narration of paniolo history, beginning with King Kamehameha I's reign and re-creating the excitement of paniolo Ikua Purdy winning the World Rodeo Steer Roping Championship in 1908.
The grace and beauty of costumed princesses along with Tahitian hula dancers, fire knife dancers and drummers will be part of the ceremony.
Kimo Hoopai Sr. from Punaholo Ranch on the Big Island will be carrying the Hawaiian flag during the event. Hoopai, 63, has spent 41 years as a cowboy. His father, Clement, was also a paniolo.
Ranch owner Pono Donholt said, "In Hawaii the paniolo tradition predates Western cowboys" and ties the past to the present.
Sunny Keakealani, 57, will also participate in the ceremony. Keakealani came from four generations of paniolo who have worked at Puuwaawaa Ranch on the Big Island.
"Our tradition is still strong," said Keakealani. "We may be few in numbers, but the love is still there."