Hana Hou Cowboys
By Jan Wizinowich
Photo by: Margie Sims
It is probably safe to say that the most unique attribute of Waimea is its location within one of the world’s largest ranches. Where else can you see top-notch working cowboys strut their racing, riding, roping stuff? One of the events to be celebrated by Parker Ranch in this one hundred fiftieth anniversary year, is the thirty-sixth annual Fourth of July meet. Over the years, it has been a showcase for the riding skills of local paniolo as well as an opportunity to honor visiting dignitaries and retiring employees. In reading past accounts of the rodeo in the “Paka Paniolo”, one senses that this celebration was one of closure for the events of the year, a reflection on the past year.
The meet begins with an opening ceremony in which both retired and current paniolo, on well-groomed Parker Ranch horses — flags and banners waving — ride past the reviewing stand for the raising of the flag and the national anthem. Traditionally, the flag raising has been accompanied by various bands from the Big Island and O’ahu. Following this, Richard Smart would announce the year’s honorees and then pronounce, “let the games begin”, which consisted of a series of races (relays, 1/4 mile grade, 3/8 and ¾ mile thoroughbred), reining, wild cow milking and roping.
In 1963, a large banner proclaimed “Keiki O Ka Aina”, designating the meet as Frances I’i Brown Day. “It was one of the largest turnouts in years. Weather was good, the track fast and beaming through it all was Frances I’i Brown, whose day it was.” That year the Boy Scouts handled the flag raising, Kent Bowman manned the mike and Morgan Brown judged the events. Yutaka Kimura came in first on the quarter-mile race, riding Thunderbird; Masa Kawamoto, riding Miracle, made first in reining and calf roping; and Joe Hui won the barrel racing riding Lucky Legs.
The meet begins with an opening ceremony in which both retired and current paniolo, on well-groomed Parker Ranch horses — flags and banners waving — ride past the reviewing stand for the raising of the flag and the national anthem. Traditionally, the flag raising has been accompanied by various bands from the Big Island and O’ahu. Following this, Richard Smart would announce the year’s honorees and then pronounce, “let the games begin”, which consisted of a series of races (relays, 1/4 mile grade, 3/8 and ¾ mile thoroughbred), reining, wild cow milking and roping.
In 1963, a large banner proclaimed “Keiki O Ka Aina”, designating the meet as Frances I’i Brown Day. “It was one of the largest turnouts in years. Weather was good, the track fast and beaming through it all was Frances I’i Brown, whose day it was.” That year the Boy Scouts handled the flag raising, Kent Bowman manned the mike and Morgan Brown judged the events. Yutaka Kimura came in first on the quarter-mile race, riding Thunderbird; Masa Kawamoto, riding Miracle, made first in reining and calf roping; and Joe Hui won the barrel racing riding Lucky Legs.
Although the year’s meet began with a snafu that prevented Schofield Barracks’ Second Brigade, Twenty-fifth Division band from arriving on time, this did not affect Masa Kawamoto’s stellar performance. Teaming up with Miracle, Masa took the Linfoot trophies for best horseman and best horse. The prized silver bowls were his for keeps, as he had won three years running. Also honored that year was Willie Kaniho Sr., a sixty-nine year old veteran of the ranch. John Wayne, in the islands filming “In Harm’s Way”, was on hand to sign autographs.
Cold, misty Waimea weather set the scene for the 1966 celebration, which honored Neal S. Blaisdell, then mayor of Honolulu. The flag raising was serenaded by the Konawaena High School Band who were, “nattily outfitted in their green and white uniforms…[and] opened the day’s festivities with a snappy march.” However, the four legged participants had their own agenda. “Perhaps the weather was a little unsettling for the horses, or maybe they were a little bored because….some of the horses chose not to compete in the races but to put on a wild west bucking exhibition.”
Two special events took place in 1966. There was a calf tying for budding young paniolo eleven to fifteen years. The first and second place winners were Valerie and Joel Hui (children of cowboy Joe Hui and Aletha Lindsey). Also that year, was an old-timers roping exhibition with Willie Kaniho, 71; Yutaka Kimura, 61; Joe Pacheco, 62; Frank Vierra, 60 and Henry Ah Sam Sr., 68, who all learned their roping skills many years ago on the wide open range lands of Parker Ranch. A new award, the Parker Ranch riding stable perpetual trophy, was added for the trainer of the winning thoroughbred.
The following year’s celebration belonged to Yutaka Kimura, who retired in 1967 after forty years of service. “As the paniolo paraded past the reviewing stand, they were led by flag bearers Joe Pacheco, Billy Boy Lindsey, Charley Stevens and Walter Stevens. Leading the riders was Yutaka Kimura, honoree, on his favorite palomino. He paused at the finish line and watched his buddies file by, then galloped out of the track and up to the reviewing stand…” With the graceful style that is his signature, Yutaka bid aloha saying, “Although I am leaving, my heart will always remain with Parker Ranch.”
In 1968, the celebration was an emotional one that was filled with losses. The tragic death of John Hu, “who was killed as a result of an accident early one morning in the Pu’uhue corral when his horse suddenly and without warning leaped up into the air falling backward on John…” was commemorated by the presentation of a flag to the Paka Paniolo Horsemen’s Association from John’s family. A moment of silence was also observed in memory of Billy Boy Lindsey and Pedro Delos Santos, who had recently passed away.
Cold, misty Waimea weather set the scene for the 1966 celebration, which honored Neal S. Blaisdell, then mayor of Honolulu. The flag raising was serenaded by the Konawaena High School Band who were, “nattily outfitted in their green and white uniforms…[and] opened the day’s festivities with a snappy march.” However, the four legged participants had their own agenda. “Perhaps the weather was a little unsettling for the horses, or maybe they were a little bored because….some of the horses chose not to compete in the races but to put on a wild west bucking exhibition.”
Two special events took place in 1966. There was a calf tying for budding young paniolo eleven to fifteen years. The first and second place winners were Valerie and Joel Hui (children of cowboy Joe Hui and Aletha Lindsey). Also that year, was an old-timers roping exhibition with Willie Kaniho, 71; Yutaka Kimura, 61; Joe Pacheco, 62; Frank Vierra, 60 and Henry Ah Sam Sr., 68, who all learned their roping skills many years ago on the wide open range lands of Parker Ranch. A new award, the Parker Ranch riding stable perpetual trophy, was added for the trainer of the winning thoroughbred.
The following year’s celebration belonged to Yutaka Kimura, who retired in 1967 after forty years of service. “As the paniolo paraded past the reviewing stand, they were led by flag bearers Joe Pacheco, Billy Boy Lindsey, Charley Stevens and Walter Stevens. Leading the riders was Yutaka Kimura, honoree, on his favorite palomino. He paused at the finish line and watched his buddies file by, then galloped out of the track and up to the reviewing stand…” With the graceful style that is his signature, Yutaka bid aloha saying, “Although I am leaving, my heart will always remain with Parker Ranch.”
In 1968, the celebration was an emotional one that was filled with losses. The tragic death of John Hu, “who was killed as a result of an accident early one morning in the Pu’uhue corral when his horse suddenly and without warning leaped up into the air falling backward on John…” was commemorated by the presentation of a flag to the Paka Paniolo Horsemen’s Association from John’s family. A moment of silence was also observed in memory of Billy Boy Lindsey and Pedro Delos Santos, who had recently passed away.
Highlights of the races saw Jiro Yamaguchi come in a winner in team ropping with Masa Kawamoto. Jiro and Molly Yamaguchi’s son Mark, won the Shetland pony race. Riding Cherokee Rose, Louis Akana captured best horseman, breaking Masa Kawamoto’s six year winning streak. The events of the Fourth of July Rodeo and its skilled participants are one of the many things that make Waimea so unique.
The rodeo carries on through decendents of Parker Ranch Paniolos and reminds us each year of the legacy of skill and toughness exemplified by such greats as Ikua Purdy, who won the 1908 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo.
The rodeo carries on through decendents of Parker Ranch Paniolos and reminds us each year of the legacy of skill and toughness exemplified by such greats as Ikua Purdy, who won the 1908 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo.
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