1823
The first vaqueros are brought to Parker Ranch on the Big Island of Hawaii
History of the Paniolo
A Fascinating Story
People tend to be surprised when they learn about Hawaiian cowboys or Paniolo. The history of the Paniolo goes back to the early 19th century when several Mexican vaqueros (cowboys) were sent to the islands to teach Hawaiians how to ride horses and maintain cattle.
How Did This Culture Get Started in Hawaii?
A Short History Lesson – Mexico’s Influence
History tells us that in 1793, while Hawaii was still an independent nation, British Captain George Vancouver gave a few cattle to King Kamehameha I. With six cows and a bull, Kamehameha instituted a kapu, or prohibition, to protect the herd and promote its growth by forbidding their hunting or killing.
And grow they did, not only thriving but becoming a nuisance and even a danger. They rampaged through villages, consuming everything in their path – eating people out of house and home. They devoured the thatch from roofs, destroyed crops, and occasionally injured or even killed people. From the air (helicopter tour) you can see dozens of rock wall formations. These were built around Hawaiian hale (houses) to keep the cattle out. Later the population would learn to build walls and fences around the cattle.
Fed up with the nuisance, in 1812, Kamehameha lifted his ban and allowed the capture of wild cattle. Initially, Hawaiian ranching involved driving these wild cattle into pits dug in the forest. Once subdued by hunger and thirst, the cattle were hauled up a steep ramp and tied by their horns to those of a domesticated steer. The older, more manageable steer would then be led to a fenced-in area.
Kona Rock Wall
Paniolo herding cattle at the Parker Ranch
The beef industry in Hawaii began to grow under Kamehameha’s son Liholiho (Kamehameha II). Liholiho’s brother, Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III), heard about Mexican cowboys called vaqueros and invited several of them to Hawaii to teach his people how to work cattle.
In 1803, about the same time the cattle became a nuisance, an American merchant ship brought four horses from California as gifts for Kamehameha I. So, the vaqueros from Mexico were not only able to train the Hawaiians in roping, slaughtering, breeding cattle, curing hides, and constructing fences; they worked with the locals to teach them how to handle horses.
Cowboy Culture – Roping and Music
Hawaiians quickly embraced riding and roping, mastering the vaqueros’ tools and techniques, and developed a distinctive Hawaiian cowboy culture. They designed their own saddles and gear and created a unique musical style featuring songs accompanied by guitar and/or ʻukulele.
Po’o Wai U Roping
Sol performs ‘Hawaiian Cowboy’ at the 1986 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Convention
Cheyenne (Wyoming) Frontier Days
More than a Hula Show
Cheyenne Frontier Days is an annual outdoor rodeo and Western festival held in Cheyenne, Wyoming, since 1897.
What does this have to do with Hawaiian paniolo?
In 1908, three Hawaiian paniolos competed in the festival. Unlike the typical cowboys of the American West, Ikua Purdy and his cousins, Archie Kaʻauʻa and Jack Low, were not white and wore pāpale (hats) decorated with lei. Their ʻohana (families) had been riding and roping long before the American cowboy culture became popular.
L- R: Ikua Purdy, Archie Ka’aua & Jack Low
What happened at the festival challenged many prevailing ideas about Hawaii. In the World Championship finals, Ikua Purdy won the steer-roping contest with a time of 56 seconds. Archie Kaʻauʻa took second place, and despite battling an asthma attack during the event, Jack Low secured sixth place. The Hawaiian paniolo triumphed over the top American cowboys and showcased Hawaiian cowboys on the global stage.
Their performance in Cheyenne occurred during a significant period when the Kingdom of Hawaii was grappling with losing its sovereignty. As the Hawaiian Star newspaper noted: “Having witnessed a man from the Parker Ranch defeat all their champions, they will come to understand that the Hawaiian Islands are more than just a hula platform in the middle of the Pacific.”
Pacific Commercial Advertiser, August 23, 1908
(Courtesy Library of Congress)
Style and Art
The Influence of Hawai’i on the Cowboy Culture
Clyde “Kindy” Sproat
(1930-2008)
The paniolos influenced riding styles, attire, and a unique collection of cowboy songs that blended traditional Hawaiian slack-key guitar and vocals. Clyde “Kindy” Sproat, a native of Pololu Valley on the Big Island, became renowned for his skillful performances of Hawaiian cowboy songs with his acoustic guitar. His commitment to his musical craft earned him a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1988. In 1989, he traveled to Washington, D.C., to represent Hawaii and showcase his songs at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
One of the cowboy songs Sproat performed on the National Mall was “Adios Ke Aloha.” He introduced the song with these words: “‘Adios Ke Aloha’ was composed by Prince Leleiohoku in tribute to the Mexicans who came to teach the cowboys how to rope and ride. This is part of my heritage, believe it or not. One of my great-grandfathers was among those Mexicans who came to instruct the Hawaiians in roping and riding.”
Many years later, this song remains relevant to paniolo culture.
Paniolo Culture Today
The Transformation of Waimea Begins
Waimea, located on the northern side of the Big Island of Hawaii, radiates tranquility and grandeur with its rolling hills and lush greenery; you can imagine it as a fitting backdrop for a romance novel. This area epitomizes cowboy culture, characterized by its expansive cattle ranches and wide-open spaces. Waimea is also the site of Parker Ranch, a functioning ranch established in 1847.
In 1815, John Palmer Parker, Kamehameha’s western advisor, introduced an American musket to the Hawaiian Islands, which he had acquired during his travels to China amidst the War of 1812. Parker received authorization to hunt cattle for meat and hides, and within a year, the Hawaiian salt beef industry thrived. Shortly after, Parker married Chiefess Kipikane, Kamehameha’s granddaughter, and was granted two acres of land, marking the beginning of the Parker dynasty.
Kohala & Waimea Area Ranchland Cattle, Big Island of Hawaii
At its peak the ranch encompassed 500,000 acres. Today, with roughly 130,000 acres (53,000 hectares) of the island, Parker Ranch ranks as one of the largest cattle ranches in the nation. It is Hawaii’s oldest business and the second-largest private landowner. During World War II, a section of Parker Ranch was utilized as a United States Marine Corps training base known as Camp Tarawa. The Second and Fifth Marine Divisions carried out training exercises there in preparation for the assault on Iwo Jima.
A trust with several non-profit beneficiaries now manages Parker Ranch. These include the local community hospital (which has since become part of a larger local system), two private schools in Waimea, and the Hawaii Community Foundation, which supports various charitable causes.
Parker Ranch in 1960s
Immerse Yourself in Paniolo Culture
Cowboys don’t count the days ’til the weekend ’cause every day’s a rodeo
We encourage you to visit Parker Ranch and enjoy the stunning views. A worthwhile way to spend some time is at the Heritage Center. At the Heritage Center, the history of the paniolo is vividly brought to life through a collection of artifacts, photographs, and original Hawaiian saddles. Visitors can discover the stories of the paniolo, view the saddles they used, and discover why the paniolo holds a significant place in Hawaii’s ranching history.
If horse culture interests you, consider a horseback riding tour and, if the timing is right, add the annual July 4th Rodeo and Horse Races at Parker Ranch to your itinerary when you visit the Big Island. It’s a truly unique experience – even if you’ve been to “traditional” rodeos in the past.
Experience The Paniolo Culture With Our Adventures
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Hilo Horseback Riding Tour
Take a morning or afternoon horseback ride to a secluded... More
- 2.5 Hrs. Horse Riding Tour in Hakalau
- Family-Friendly Adventure Tour, Ages 8+
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Horseback Ride On WOH Ranch
Enjoy a peaceful horseback ride on the WOH Ranch and take in the... More
- 3hrs. Horseback Riding From WOH Ranch
- Transportation, Guide, Equipment, And Snacks
- Open Daily
5:00am to 9:00pm, HST
