Pages from Cowboy Romance and Reality: Paniolo Preservation Society Saddles Up

By Catherine Tarleton

When I was a little girl, I caught horse fever early and as fervently as a suburban D.C. kid could. I read every horse book in two libraries, drew pictures, wrote stories and fought my brother for control of the knob on our little black-and-white TV to watch the cowboys ride Trigger, Flicka and Silver.

Decades and decades later, having finally landed in Hawai‘i, what a great surprise and honor to meet real cowboys, in real life! How cool to be invited to a branding and watch them in action, to hang on the fence rail with a hundred other people pointing cameras at the calves. To see the lei-draped pa‘u riders smile and flutter by on parade. To listen, listen to the stories and songs of paniolo, meet relatives of the famous ones and feel the real connection with human and horse, horse and land, land and spirit.

I’ve written about paniolo a few times. I know they wear baseball caps instead of Stetsons and ride more ATVs than horses. Fences are electric. Calves are shipped to mainland feedlots to be fattened up and finished, and Big Island grass-fed beef is a big deal. A lot of pastureland is populated by people now.

So Who are Today’s Paniolo?

Well, if you spend time talking with the Paniolo Preservation Society (PPS), they might be us: educators and writers, retirees, artists, telecommunications systems engineers, shop owners, event planners, foodies, musicians, doctors, veterinarians, lawyers and executives. Of course there are highly-respected ranchers and cowboys, too, but the paniolo culture has outgrown the saddle. And, thanks to organizations like PPS, the paniolo has something relevant to teach all of us, right now and in the future, about community, work ethic, respect and love of life
and the land.

PPS, established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 1998, is a group of driven individuals, more than 60 volunteers, guided by founding members Dr. and Mrs. Billy Bergin, William White, Sonny Keakealani,
Alex Penovaroff, Freddy Rice, Patti Cook and current President Robby Hind. Other members come from every walk of life. One board member, Judge James E. Duffy, sits on the Hawai‘i State Supreme Court. Two others, Donny DeSilva and Alvin Kawamoto, are master Hawaiian tree-saddle makers. And at least two, Dexter Keawe‘ehu Vredenberg and Dr. Bergin, are authors. Their recently released book, Richard Smart of the Legendary Parker Ranch, although not a project of PPS, supports its job of preserving paniolo history and culture, through the life story (and behind-the-scenes story) of one of its most interesting characters. [See Ka Puana on page 89.]

“The authors seamlessly meshed Hawaiian-style genealogical storytelling with solid research, recordation, and rationale of contemporary scholarship,” wrote Leilani Hino of Ahualoa, who grew up embraced by the paniolo culture thanks to her uncle. “The authors re-told and interpreted a wealth of local stories in one volume, a broad, deep, exquisite portrait of Richard Smart…It is a rich, textured, honest rendering of a complex human being,” she said.

A 2011 inductee into the Paniolo Hall of Fame, Richard Smart, fifth-generation descendant of Parker Ranch founder John Palmer Parker, was more entertainer than rancher. He appeared on Broadway stages, hosted grand parties, and built the Kahilu Theatre to bring music and arts to Waimea society, and yet his contributions to paniolo culture were significant and essential, particularly during the transitional years of the 20th century.

Smart, along with nine other cowboys (seven altogether from the Big Island), were inducted into the Paniolo Hall of Fame at the Hawai‘i Cattlemen’s Council ceremony at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on November 19, 2011, sponsored in part by PPS. Living honorees and their families turned out in polished boots and shiny buckles, creased jeans, spotless hats, big smiles and piles of maile lei. Humble people, raised on the concepts of pa‘ahana (hard, industrious work), family loyalty and stewardship of the land, they are unaccustomed to the spotlight, but their pride shone through.

Author Vredenberg was never a rancher himself. “It is my history,” he stated. “My great-grandfather Campbell started with Parker Ranch as a butcher, and then was a teacher at Thelma Parker School.”

“I think that cowboys have this mystery attached to them, these legendary aspects of their lives, and people like to look at that,” said Vredenberg. “Yes, there is a romantic aspect to the stories they tell, but day by day it was the same old thing.” Pa‘ahana filled their days, and in all weather—often dangerous—there was a sense of brotherhood. And after work, the love of family, of great food and good music filled the paniolo heart.

A lot of that pa‘ahana took place at Pukalani Stables in Waimea, though it’s been a long time since Pukalani housed a horse. Once central to the Parker Ranch horse-breeding operation, this 100-year-old facility sits quietly overlooking what used to be pastures, remembering, perhaps, the sounds of boots and hooves, Hawaiian language between men and animals, nicker and whinny, maybe later some pau hana music.

Recently renovated by PPS volunteers, Pukalani is now the Paniolo Heritage Center, headquarters for PPS and home to the Paniolo Hall of Fame. And the sounds around the stables today are more likely to be educational and social conversations, music and laughter, as people gather for presentations, parties and fundraising events. In October, German “oompah” music filled the courtyard for North Hawai‘i Rotary’s Oktoberfest, and a couple of weeks later, a big crowd came out to hear “chicken skin” paniolo ghost stories for Halloween to launch PPS’ new Paniolo Talk Story series.

On Friday, January 6, 4-7 p.m., PPS will premier a new “First Fridays Paniolo Kanikapila Jam,” with live music and food (admission free with a musical instrument). Then, on Saturday, January 14, 5-8 p.m., Ku‘ulei Keakealani, daughter of Hall of Fame Cowboy Sonny Keakealani, will present the second in PPS’ series of “Paniolo Talk Story” gatherings, this one focused on favorite paniolo food traditions. (See below for a schedule of upcoming community events.)

PPS has been a huge contributor to the community since day one. One of its early projects was to commission sculptor Fred Fellows to create a larger-than-life bronze statue of Hawai’i’s most famous paniolo, Ikua Purdy, now prominently displayed in front of Parker Ranch Center. In 2008, they celebrated the 100th anniversary of Purdy’s, Jack Low’s and Archie Kaaua’s famous victory at the 1908 Cheyenne Frontier Days with “The Great Waiomina Centennial Celebration.” This highly successful series of statewide events inspired a sister-city relationship between Cheyenne and Hawai‘i Island, and helped create a paniolo exhibit at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum.

PPS also assisted with the production and screenings of Edgy Lee’s extraordinary documentary Paniolo O Hawai‘i (since acquired by National Geographic for international distribution) and, with representatives from Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School, Kanu o ka ‘Āina Public Charter School, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy and Parker School, founded the Waimea Education Hui to develop curricula on ranching and paniolo culture. They have partnered with Kahilu Theatre and Parker Ranch to create unique educational programs, such as the 2009 “Paniolo Artisans Showcase” spotlighting 20 renowned saddle-makers, and, more recently, a Professional Bull Riders (PBR) clinic in partnership with Parker Ranch Round-Up Scholarship Club and Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.

PPS has also assisted or collaborated with numerous other organizations and partnered with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), the County of Hawai‘i and the Richard Smart Fund.

As if that weren’t enough, PPS has been all along collecting historical documents, maps and artifacts, treasured pieces of paniolo reality. To provide a home for the collection to continue being archived, preserved and displayed, PPS leased Pukalani Stables from Parker Ranch in April of this year. Some of the photos; PPS’ bit, spur and saddle collection, and other memorabilia are on display alongside the Cowboy Hall of Fame at Pukalani Stables.

So who are today’s paniolo? Come to Pukalani Stables and take a look around. You might be surprised. You could be one of them.

Contact writer Catherine Tarleton at catherinetarleton@gmail.com.

For more information on any of these events, to reserve Pukalani Stables for educational or social gatherings, or to learn how you can join PPS, contact the Paniolo Heritage Center: Phone
808.541/8541, email paniolo@paniolopreservation.org, or visit www.paniolopreservation.org.

UPCOMING PPS EVENTS:

Friday, January 6, 4-7 p.m. PPS introduces its new “First Fridays Paniolo Kanikapila Jam!” at Pukalani Stables, celebrating the pleasures of life in the country when work is pau – with informal music, food and everybody’s favorite: bingo. Suggested donation: $5/Adults; $3/Seniors; Free with an Instrument! Kaukau and non-alcoholic beverages available. Dress warmly.

Saturday, January 14, 5-8 p.m. 2nd “Paniolo Talk Story” at Pukalani Stables with Ku’ulei Keakealani and guests sharing memories about favorite Paniolo Grinds. Non-alcoholic beverages, cocoa and crackers and warm foods available. Dress warmly. $5 donation suggested and membership welcome.

Saturday, January 21, 5:30 p.m. Inaugural “Silver Spur Lifetime Achievement Awards” at Pukalani Stables, recognizing eight extraordinary paniolo who have dedicated themselves to mentoring the next generation. Will include a delicious paniolo pa‘ina (feast). Advance reservations required. Ticket information available soon. Dress warmly.

Saturday, February 4, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. PPS celebrates our Paniolo Kepani, Japanese cowboys, for the 16th Annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival. Come to Pukalani Stables for a cowboy breakfast from 8-11 a.m. and talk story with Dr. Billy Bergin, Leilani Hino and friends, plus enjoy a fascinating exhibit of Waimea’s Japanese cowboys, including a story about how the Emperor of Japan bought a horse from Parker Ranch’s Pukalani Stables. Pukalani will be on the free shuttle bus route around town that day. Free admission to the stables though donations are welcome; fee for cowboy breakfast.

Saturday, February 19. An Escorted Trail Ride, exploring the historically significant Waimea field system. An all-day group ride revealing extraordinary pre-contact sites and features as documented by historian Abraham Fornander in the mid 1800s, renowned Hawaiian historian Marion Kelly in the early 1970s, and more recently, by Ross Cordy in his respected book, Exhalted Sits the Chief. Escorts to include Dr. Peter Mills, Dr. Billy Bergin and Freddy Rice. Concludes with a BBQ at Pukalani Stables. For serious riders only. Bring your own mount or arrange a rental. Ticket information available soon.

 

Wednesday, February 29
(leap day),
5-10 p.m. at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. PPS Inaugural “Sadie Hawkins Day Shotgun Wedding Ball” — a fundraiser and silent auction for the Paniolo Heritage Center. Ticket information available soon.

Saturday, March 2, 4-7 p.m. “First Fridays Paniolo
Kanikapila Jam!” at Pukalani Stables.

Saturday, March 17, 5-8 p.m. “Paniolo Talk Story” at Pukalani Stables with Ku’ulei Keakealani and guests celebrating Hawai‘i’s most famous paniolo, Ikua Purdy, of Hawaiian-Irish descent, on St. Patrick’s Day!

For more information on any of these events, contact Paniolo Heritage Center at Pukalani Stables: Phone 808.541.8541,
E-mail: paniolo@paniolopreservation.org,
Website: www.paniolopreservation.org

 

 

2011 Hawai‘i Cattlemen’s Council Paniolo

Hall of Fame Inductees

 

A. Hartwell Carter

1896-1985, Parker Ranch, Hawai‘i

 

Naluahine Kaopua

1857-1961, Thomas White Ranch, Wall Ranch, Hawai‘i

 

Richard K.P. Smart

1913-1992, Parker Ranch, Hawai‘i

 

Donald G. DeSilva

Parker Ranch, Hawai‘i

 

Clarence Medeiros Sr.

Magoon Ranch, CM Ranch, Hawai‘i

 

Gary J. Rapozo

Parker Ranch, Hawai‘i

 

Harry “Pono” von Holt

Ponoholo Ranch, Hawai‘i

 

Louis von Tempsky

1859-1922, Ulupalakua Ranch and Haleakala Ranch, Maui

 

Dee B. Gibson

1919-1991, Koko Head Dairy-Oahu, Wailua Ranch,

Kauai, Saddle City,-O‘ahu

 

Peter Kama Sr.

1919-1985, Kahua Ranch, O‘ahu

 

Link: www.HICattle.org