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Hawaii’s
Back Yard
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi
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COURTESY PANIOLO PRESERVATION SOCIETY
In this early 20th century photo, Hawaiian paniolo move cattle to shore via row boat.
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Paniolo legend developed link with Cheyenne
Hawaii's paniolo (cowboys) consider Ikua Purdy to be the Duke Kahanamoku of the rodeo world.
Kahanamoku, of course, was the legendary waterman who brought Hawaii international acclaim by winning three gold and two silver medals for swimming events in the 1912, 1920 and 1924 Summer Olympics.
WAIOMINA CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Place: Various venues in Waimea, Big Island
Call: 769-0215
E-mail: paniolopreservation@gmail.com
Web site: www.paniolopreservation.org
About the society: The nonprofit Paniolo Preservation Society was founded in 1998. Its mission is "to increase public awareness of the historical, present-day and future significance of Hawaii's ranching industry, with emphasis on the roles and traditions of the paniolo." PPS hopes to establish a Ranching and Paniolo Cultural Center in Waimea, and an Internet-accessible archive of historical documents, maps and photos. For information, visit www.paniolopreservation.org.
» See the schedule
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Purdy, a Hawaiian paniolo from Waimea on the Big Island, accomplished a feat of equal significance when he won the World Championship in Steer Roping on Aug. 22, 1908. His record time of 56 seconds stunned the 30,000 spectators at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo in Wyoming; after all, American cowboys had long been regarded as the kings of rodeo.
A sister-city bond was established between Cheyenne and Hawaii County last July. Three months later, Purdy was inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame at the city's Old West Museum.
The Paniolo Preservation Society kicks off the Waiomina (Wyoming) Centennial Celebration this month to mark the 100th anniversary of Purdy's victory.
"Ikua was the first nonpolitical hero of the territory of Hawaii," said Keawe Vredenburg, program manager of the Waiomina Centennial committee and a member of PPS' board of directors. "When Ikua won, Hawaiians were validated as competent ranchers, agriculturists and athletes."
COURTESY PANIOLO PRESERVATION SOCIETY
Hawaiian paniolo herd cattle through the water.
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Last month, PPS sent 22 paniolo, artisans, teachers, musicians and dancers from Waimea to support the opening of a paniolo exhibit at the Old West Museum, held in conjunction with the 112th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. On view through Nov. 15, 2009, the display comprises 65 artifacts (including one of Purdy's saddles) plus audio recordings of Hawaiian chants and newspaper articles translated into English.
Vredenburg was among those who made the trip.
"We played music, danced hula and demonstrated lau hala weaving, feather lei making and saddle making," he said. "We also met with Cheyenne educators to share a Waimea school curriculum developed to celebrate the centennial.
"It's oriented toward ranching but extends to land and water conservation; the Hawaiian sense of place that bonds local people to the land; and chants, songs and dances written and choreographed to document local geography and history. It is our hope that this curriculum can be converted for use in Cheyenne to help make those values part of their instructional system."
PPS' educational programs emphasize the importance of self-sufficiency in Hawaii's agriculture and ranching industries.
"We celebrate the ancestries, knowledge and skills of all of Hawaii's paniolo, from ranches big and small," said Vredenburg. "We hope to preserve paniolo culture, artifacts, wisdom, arts and music from 1830 to the present -- everything that makes Hawaii's paniolo unique."
COURTESY PANIOLO PRESERVATION SOCIETY
From left are paniolo Archie Kaaua, Jack Low and Ikua Purdy.
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THE SCHEDULE
Saturday
» Paniolo Family Day: Enjoy games, paniolo crafts, dummy roping and pau-wrapping demonstrations, a historic photo and DVD exhibit, paniolo music by Kimo Hoopai and friends, and a presentation by Brother Noland. Bring lunch or purchase food at the event. At Anna Ranch, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free.
» Real Beef by Real Cowboys: Pukalani Stables: Hawaii Cattlemen's Association members prepare a paniolo-style cookout from 3 to 6 p.m.; $35 per person.
Aug. 22
» Centennial's official opening event: Cocktail reception at Daniel Thiebaut restaurant, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The day marks Ikua Purdy's win. Wear your boots, jeans, hats and palaka shirts. Cost of $50 per person includes pupus, beer, wine, and silent and live auctions.
Aug. 23
» Craft fairs: At Parker Ranch and Waimea shopping centers, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free
» Old Hawaii on Horseback: Costumed horseback riders re-enact key events in paniolo history. Bring mats or beach chairs. No alcohol or coolers. At Minukeole Park (YMCA lawn and soccer field), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $15 general; $10 for students with school ID and seniors 65 and older; free for children under 12.
» Hawaiian Cowboy Concert: Melveen Leed and Jerry Santos headline a concert featuring paniolo songs and other Hawaiian favorites. No alcohol or coolers. At Minukeole Park, 2 to 5 p.m. Cost is $30 per person, $25 for students and seniors, or purchase a package with admission to Old Hawaii on Horseback and the concert, at $40 and $35 for the respective age groups; free for children under 12.
Aug. 24
» Trail ride and ranch activities: At Ponoholo and Kahua ranches, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
» Barbecue dinner and entertainment: Enjoy horseback, ATV and wagon rides; ranch tours; and a barbecue dinner with entertainment and cultural activities, including demonstrations of hula, lei making, lau hala weaving, and leather and rawhide crafts. At Kahua Ranch, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $125 per person for the ride and dinner, $75 for the dinner only. Space is limited.
Aug. 30 and 31
» Parker Ranch Round-Up Club Rodeo: This scholarship fundraiser for children of ranch employees takes place at Paniolo Park (Parker Ranch rodeo arena), noon to 4 p.m. Advance tickets are $5 at Parker Ranch Store; $6 at the gate. Free for children under 11.
Aug. 30
» An Evening at Puuopelu: The Black & White Ball: "Paniolo formal" is the attire for this PPS fundraiser at the home of the late Richard Smart, Parker Ranch's last owner. Pianist Jay Larrin and guitarist Dick Solmssen will provide entertainment. Among the items in the silent auction is the first in the numbered, limited-edition series of Waiomina Centennial belt buckles. Runs from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Cost is $300 per person.
Sept. 1
» Cowgirls of the Pacific Brunch & Fashion Show: Cowboys and cowgirls model paniolo creations by local fashion designers, with entertainment by Darlene Ahuna. At Daniel Thiebaut restaurant, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $45 per person.
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Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based free-lance writer and Society of American Travel Writers award winner.
