Paniolos

A few years ago I was doing work with a couple of ranches on Maui -- mostly trade-show brochures and special event posters. I managed to get to know a few of our local paniolo cowboys and create some images for myself. Our UpCountry ranches are incredibly beautiful. The elevation is perfect. The weather is perfect. The views are some of the best coastal views on Earth. And the people -- the people are the friendliest on Earth.

Did you know the first cowboys in America were probably in Hawai'i? The history of the "paniolo," the Hawaiian cowboy, is one aspect of Hawaii's cultural heritage that often gets overlooked.

The story begins in 1795, when the British Sea Captain, George Vancouver, gifted a few head of Mexican Longhorn cattle to King Kamehameha, as an offering of friendship. The King protected them, allowing them to multiply and roam the islands untouched for 40 years. Eventually, the herd grew to thousands, creating a need for instruction in handling and managing the descendents of those first few cattle.

While the first horse was introduced to the islands in 1803, it was not until some 30 years later that expert cattle handlers-the Spanish-Mexican "vaqueros"-were brought to Hawai'i to teach the Hawaiians. In fact, the word "paniolo" evolved from the word "Espanol" (Spanish) that was used in the early years in referring to the vaqueros.

Today, "paniolo" is a term used with well-earned respect and admiration in describing the Hawaiian, or Hawai'i-born, cowboy working on island ranches. Also, it's a general term used for the rural, ranch-related lifestyle in the islands. In the beginning, most paniolo were Hawaiian, but today the ethnic mix commonly includes Portuguese, Puerto Rican, Spanish, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and Caucasian.

Active cattle ranches can be found on the islands of Hawai'i, Maui, Moloka'i, O'ahu, and Kaua'i. Hawai'i produces over $18 Million worth of beef every year. The "Big Island" of Hawai'i has one of the largest spreads in the world, at Parker Ranch. Here on Maui there are several -- Haleakala, 'Ulupalakua, Kaupo, Pi'iholo, and Hana Ranch.

The artwork in this collection is printed on acid-free watercolor paper, double matted, and available framed in Koa wood. Remember that our guaranteed safe shipping is absolutely free on all orders shipped within the United States!

Cowboy Born, Cowboy For Life
Uncle Dan Purdy
#200

Uncle Dan Purdy was an icon at Ulupalakua Ranch-- and now a legend. Rugged, strong, competent, and handsome, he was. Uncle Dan passed away in 2007 but his grand children, and great-grand children are numerous, and frequent guests in my gallery. The Purdy's put Hawai'i on the map in 1908 when Ikua Purdy set a world steer roping record in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 56 seconds.

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Pau Hana
Day's End
#201

Maui's setting sun tells you it's time to put that saddle away and relax from a long, hard day on the ranch. This is paniolo Ricky Kekiwi of Ka'ono'ulu Ranch, in UpCountry Maui.

Paniolo Kekiwi
Cowboy Ricky Kekiwi of Ka'ono'ulu Ranch, Maui
#202

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Maui Paniolo
Maui Hawaiian Cowboy, Ulupalakua Ranch, Maui
#179

Maui's western mountain range and Pacific Ocean is a stunning backdrop for this Ulupalakua Ranch cowboy and his quarter horse. Paniolo Wong has been a fixture at the ranch for many years.