By Ann Terry Hill
 

Left to right: Billy Walker, Jack Low and Ikua Purdy appears on the far right in this undated photo

If you don’t know the Hawaiian word paniolo,you should!  These cowboys have been herding cattle on the Big Isle since King Kamehameha imported them from Mexico in the early 1800s to teach Hawaiians how to take care of his herd.  Both the herds and the cowboys thrived and today Hawai’i  is busy securing their place in history with the PANIOLO PRESERVATION SOCIETY.

Dr. Billy Bergin, and Dexter Keawe’ehu Vredenburg, both natives, and both with long histories at the famed Parker Ranch, are heading up the effort to sustain this history.  The PPS mission, established in 1998 is to increase the awareness of the historical, present-day, and future significance of Hawai’is ranching, including with an emphasis on the roles and tradition of the paniolo.

The Society, with its home in the famed red Pukalani Stables in Kamuela, has a large collection of historial Hawaiian saddles, tack, Hall of Fame Members,  and special tribute to Hawai’i’s famed paniolo Ikua Purdy who defeated all comers at the 1908 Cheyenne Frontier Days.   A bronze of Purdy, on horse back , is prominently displayed.  Purdy and two other Hawaiian paniolos went to Cheyenne not knowing how they would do, but found the events fitted right into their cowboy lifestyle in Hawaii, and left Cheyenne heroes.  Particularly Purdy, who became the Champion of the rodeo. In 2008, 100 years later, Cheyenne held a special celebration of Purdy’s Championship.  Dr. Bergin and Mr. Vredenburg were special guests and are still talking about what a wonderful time they had.

Bergin and Vredenburg have also collaborated on a book, RICHARD SMART, last descendent of the Parker family to run the ranch. Well worth the read.

For those of you interested in visiting the Paniolo Preservation Society, or for more information on the Parker Ranch , or for making an appointment to visit, contact Keaweehu@hawaii.rr.com or call 808-640-9534.  Both Bergin and Vredenburg are deep sources of knowledge.  A visit here is time well spent.
 

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