Proudly paniolo

Lyman House Museum in Hilo declined to take the donation. So did the Kona Historical Society on the other side of Hawaii island.

Frustrated, the man wondered what he was going to do with all the horse and paniolo (cowboy) gear and saddle-making tools and materials he had found in the garage of his family’s home in Hilo. The items had belonged to his late grandfather, a longtime Parker Ranch cowboy.

The man was selling the house and didn’t want to take the artifacts with him when he moved to the mainland. Neither did he want to throw them away, but he couldn’t think of other options.

When he told his aunt about his predicament over breakfast in Waimea one morning, she said, "Call Billy Bergin." The founder of the Paniolo Preservation Society and former Parker Ranch veterinarian gladly accepted the man’s entire collection of memorabilia.

"Hundreds of paniolo artifacts have trickled in to PPS over the years because people know we care about them," Bergin said. "From the time PPS was established in 1998, we hoped we would one day have a place to store and display the wonderful things we were gathering. We don’t want them to wind up in the dump. We want people to know there is now a repository for their precious ranching heirlooms."

PPS received the keys to Pukalani Stables from Parker Ranch on April 1, and spent two months and $50,000 refurbishing it for its new role as the Paniolo Heritage Center. There, PPS plans to fulfill its mission of preserving and perpetuating Hawaii’s paniolo lifestyle; increasing public awareness of the historical, present-day and future significance of the local ranching industry; and collecting, safeguarding and interpreting ranching photos, maps, documents and artifacts.

"At the Paniolo Heritage Center, the community can learn about Hawaii’s ranching traditions, participate in them and support PPS’ goal to keep them alive," Bergin said. "It’s especially important to engage the younger generation because they will be the ones carrying the torch in the future."

Pukalani Stables has a long and colorful history. A.W. Carter, the trustee who managed Parker Ranch from 1900 to 1949, built the 14-stall facility to breed thoroughbreds around 1909.

During World War I (1914 to 1918), the cavalry was an integral part of the U.S. army. Top horse farms nationwide, including Parker Ranch, participated in the Remount Program created by the War Department to keep the cavalry supplied with premium mounts. Thoroughbreds were ideal because of their speed, strength, agility, endurance, courage and intelligence.

World War II Gen. George S. Patton was a customer at Parker Ranch. The brilliant, controversial four-star general was also an expert horseman. He served two stints in Hawaii, from 1925 to 1928 and from 1935 to 1937, and during his second tour of duty in the islands, he was responsible for buying horses for the Army. One of his primary sources was Parker Ranch.

Pukalani Stables was the ranch’s center for horse-breeding operations for more than 50 years. By 1970, it had been converted to an equine hospital. In subsequent years, it was also a care facility for orphan calves, a visitor attraction, a real estate sales office and a staging area for a Japanese tour company.

Bergin believes Pukalani Stables will play a lasting role as the home of the Paniolo Heritage Center. Inside the 8,000-square-foot structure are an exhibit hall (see sidebar) and a large function room where PPS’ monthly Paniolo Talk Story series is being held. Launched in October, the series is hosted by Kuulei Keakealani, who comes from a multigenerational ranching family.

"Real cowboys will be sharing their personal stories, dances, music, food and skill in arts such as rope- and saddle-making," Bergin said. "The programs will be fun and interesting, but the intent is not just to entertain. We hope they will encourage people to join PPS’ efforts."

Debuting next month at the center, the annual Lifetime Achievement Awards will honor paniolo whose expertise, dedication, hard work and mentorship built a strong foundation for Hawaii’s ranching industry. The inaugural recipients, all from Hawaii island, are Donnie DeSilva, Sonny Keakealani, Clement Andrade, Casey DeSilva, Willy Gomes, Miki Kato, Eugene Olivera and Kimo Hoopai Sr.

"Right now we’re using only 15 percent of the Pani­olo Heritage Center’s available space," Bergin said. "As funding allows, we’ll be able to set up other displays and offer other events that shed more light on the challenges and achievements of our paniolo. We envision the center as a valuable community resource and gathering place that connects people with the heart and soul of Waimea."

HORSING AROUND

Events will be at the Paniolo Heritage Center unless otherwise noted. For more information, call 808-854-1541, email paniolo@paniolopreservation or go to www.paniolopreservation.org.

>> Jan. 6: First Friday Paniolo Kanikapila Jam. Cost: $5 for adults, $3 for seniors 55 and older, free if you bring an instrument. n 4 to 7 p.m.

>> Jan. 14: Paniolo Talk Story on paniolo food traditions. Cost: free, although a donation to PPS would be appreciated. n 5 to 8 p.m.

>> Jan. 21: Lifetime Achievement Awards. Cost: $20 for adults, $5 for children 5 through 10, including a reception and dinner. Advance reservations are required. n 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

>> Feb. 4: PPS celebrates the contributions of the paniolo kepani (Japanese cowboys) as part of the 19th annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival. Planned are a paniolo breakfast ($5 for children 5 through 10, $12 for everyone else), an exhibit of saddles and photos of Waimea’s best-known Japanese cowboys, and “talk-story” sessions throughout the day (find out why Japan’s prestigious Imperial Palace Riding Club bought thoroughbreds from Pukalani Stables in 1960). Free shuttle service to Pukalani Stables and elsewhere around Waimea town will be available. n 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

>> Feb. 18: An escorted trail ride will explore the historically significant Waimea Field System, as documented by historian Abraham Fornander in the mid-1800s, renowned Hawaiian historian Marion Kelly in the early 1970s, and, more recently, Ross Cordy in his book “Exalted Sits the Chief.” This activity is for experienced riders 18 and older who must use their own horse or rent one. Cost: $275 per person, including a barbecue supper. Advance reservations are required. n 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

>> Feb. 29: Sadie Hawkins Day Shotgun Wedding Ball, a fundraiser for the Paniolo Heritage Center, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Featured are just-for-fun wedding ceremonies, bachelor and silent auctions, food stations, a costume contest and live entertainment. Cost: $125 per person (a portion is tax-deductible). Advance reservations are required. n 6 to 9 p.m.

>> March 2: First Friday Paniolo Kanikapila Jam. n 4 to 7 p.m.

>> March 17: This St. Patrick’s Day Paniolo Talk Story focuses on famed Hawaiian cowboy Ikua Purdy, who was of Hawaiian-Irish descent. n 5 to 8 p.m.

ARTIFACT-PACKED PANIOLO HERITAGE CENTER IS OPEN TO VISITORS, EVENTS

The Paniolo Heritage Center houses an impressive array of ranching memorabilia from the Paniolo Preservation Society’s collection, including maps, documents, bits, spurs, rawhide lariats, century-old saddles and photographs dating back to the mid-1800s. Also on view is the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Association’s Paniolo Hall of Fame — a display of photos and biographies of 115 respected cowboys and cowgirls from Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai and Hawaii island.

Hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Although there’s no admission charge, a $5-per-person donation to PPS is suggested. You can also support the cause by joining PPS or making a tax-deductible contribution. Checks made out to the Paniolo Preservation Society can be mailed to P.O. Box 640, Kamuela, HI 96743.

The center is available for equestrian and ranching exhibits, activities and presentations as well as private events, including parties, weddings and corporate meetings.

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Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won several Society of American Travel Writers awards.