About Us
Local and Visiting Talent. Family Fun. Paniolo Heritage.
An annual, two-day event that occurs during the President's Day weekend, this rodeo showcases both local and outside talent spanning multiple generations. Paniolo culture, both in its modern and traditional forms, is in full display here at the Panaʻewa Stampede Rodeo- from the inclusion of Hawai'i-only rodeo events to the educational displays, from the Hawaiian tree saddlery to the Hawaiian print cowboy shirts, from the local foods to the multi-generational rodeo competitors. We welcome all ages to this family-friendly event! We have a variety of local food and craft vendors, educational booths, and entertaining events. Bring your friends and family for this exciting event!
Be sure to visit our Cultural Tent, hosted by the Paniolo Preservation Society!
Hosted By
Hawaii Horse Owners, Inc.
Hawaii Horse Owners, Inc. is an organization whose members are Hawai’i Island horse lovers dedicated to preserving the rich Paniolo traditions, skills, and lifestyles that are unique to our Hawaiian Islands. The Pana’ewa Stampede Rodeo provides an opportunity to pass on our Paniolo rodeo skills and traditions to our keiki. This fun and family-friendly event provides a great experience to thousands of residents and visitors each year.
History
A Brief History of the Paniolo
Hawai’i Island has an unheralded heritage: a rich “cowboy culture” over two centuries old. In 1793, Captain George Vancouver presented King Kamehameha I with five black longhorn cattle. The animals were in poor condition after the long sea voyage and King Kamehameha I put them under kapu law and freed them to range the island. Horses (Lio) arrived ten years later in 1803 and King Kamehameha I became the first Hawaiian rider.
In 1816, John Palmer Parker, a western advisor to Kamehameha, married royal granddaughter Kipikane and was awarded two acres of land for $10. John Parker was given permission to wrangle the wild cows (pipi ‘āhiu) that had thrived and multiplied.
By 1832, Mexican Vaqueros, who were expert horsemen with plenty of cattle experience, arrived in Hawai’i. They came with boots, saddles, a new language and a new lifestyle for the island. Called “Paniolo” by Hawaiians, the Vaqueros taught the Hawaiians how to ride, rope and make their own Hawaiian tree saddles (Noho Lio). The Hawaiian Paniolo perfected the art of cattle ranching, riding and roping.
In 1908, Ikua Purdy was invited to compete in the Frontier Days Rodeo in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He and fellow Paniolo Archie Ka’aua and Eben Low shocked the rodeo crowd by taking top honors. They became instant celebrities known as the “Hawai’i Roughriders".
Paniolo traditions continue and will be seen today at our Pana’ewa Stampede Rodeo when Paniolo compete in Hawaii’s Own Events of Po’o Wai U, Double Mugging and Kane and Wahine Ribbon Mugging.
