MPI Aloha Chapter : Year of the Paniolo

In 1908 three Hawaii Island Paniolo journeyed to Cheyenne Wyoming and shocked the Western Rodeo world

by placing first, third and sixth in the National Steer Roping Competition. Almost a century later, the planning began to commemorate this auspicious event but little did the planning committee know how significant the centennial year of 2008 would actually become.

Kathy Clarke, owner/CEO of Kathy Clarke Hawaii and a 30 year veteran of the Hawaii travel industry, some how found herself volunteered to Chair The Great Waiomina Centennial Celebration (WCC) and launched her committee on the commemorative road! As Hawaii’s oldest DMC and Event Planning company, Kathy was well suited to lead her team which included, Keawe Vredenburg, Executive Director; Pat Bergin, Principal of Kanu o Ka Aina School, Raymond Foat, owner of Big Island Discovery, and Riley Smith, Operations Project Engineer for Sandwich Isle Optical.

WCC’s initial goal, as a subsidiary of the non-profit Paniolo Preservation Society, was to preserve and perpetuate Hawaii’s Paniolo and Ranching History and life style. Efforts began with educational programs at all grade levels in Waimea schools, teaching children about the Paniolo and ranch life style. The programs developed were so successful that they were extended “on demand” throughout the island.

In 2006 and 2007, the centennial committee traveled to Cheyenne, Wyoming (Waiomina in Hawaiian), to attend Cheyenne Frontier Days and discover more about Ikua Purdy, Eben Lowe, Jack Lowe and Archie Ka‘au‘a’s 1908 triumph. While researching, they connected with the Old West Museum, which subsequently created an exclusive museum display about the Hawaiian Paniolo that took the West by storm in 1908! Cheyenne Frontier Days Executive Director, Dave Johansen also extended an invitation to WCC to participate in 2008 Frontier Days events and the planning began.

The events evolved and soon WCC was rounding up 30 talented Paniolo artisans and support staff who traveled to Cheyenne for the 2008 Cheyenne Frontier Days to share their art and culture. No one knew just how popular and in demand they would be; the group from Hawaii sang and danced their way through museums, libraries, saloons and even performed for the opening of the Professional Bull Riding (PBR) Competition.

In addition to music, the centennial celebration artisans demonstrated traditional Hawaiian saddle making, rawhide braiding, Lauhala weaving and the beauty of feather lei. Cayenne Clarke, opened the annual Chamber of Commerce luncheon singing the Doxology in Hawaiian and Fern White, noted Hawaiian Cowgirl, spent time in the rodeo announcers box sharing Hawaiian culture and sassing the rodeo emcee with her own brand of Big Island “Tita! (For those not from Hawaii, “Tita” is a an especially outspoken women that you don’t want to cross). Thousands cheered the Paniolo and Pa‘u riders that rode in full costume for three Parades and several Rodeo Grand Entries.

Kathy Clarke, the only travel professional on board, handled all arrangements from air fare, hotel, perdiem, shipping and scheduling. “It was just like planning an incentive program. Except no one was footing the bill! Everything was financed through fund raising, donations and grants. That was the difficult part. It was a leap of faith that somehow we would get enough funds to fulfill our mission!” But fulfill the mission they did, documented by many TV, radio and newspaper stories and interviews both in Hawaii and Wyoming territory!

A triumphant return to the Big Island of Hawaii was not the end for the WCC committee! In August 2008,

Clarke led her committees through the Big Island commemorative celebrations with 10 days of Paniolo Events that included a Paniolo Educational Family Day at Anna Ranch, an Opening Commemorative Reception and a Celebrity Paniolo Chef Cook off at Daniel Thiebaut Restaurant, a Paniolo Trail Ride through Kahua and Pono Holo Ranches and a Hawaiian Paniolo Music concert.

The celebration’s signature event, Old Hawaii on Horseback, was a replication of the extravagant Pageants that Hawaii rancher Anna Perry Fiske made legend! The Pageant, choreographed by Patricia Bergin, was presented completely on horseback and included, music, extensive costuming and historical narration. All riders were members of the Big Island’s long time ranching families and the historical thread brought the stories of those early ranching families to life! Old Hawaii on Horseback had not been presented since 1998 and plans are to keep the tradition alive with a Pageant every couple years.

The closing event, a Black and White Ball held at the Parker Ranch Historic Home and Museum, was both a fund raiser and a tribute to Richard Smart who held annual theme events in his home. “When I designed the décor, I found very little information on Richard Smart’s events. I just went with my instincts and kept it elegant but added the Paniolo flair,” Clarke said. On the evening of the event, the museum curator was surprised and delighted. The yellow Daisies were Smart’s favorite flower and yellow his favorite color! The feather, lady favor, fans and the elegant men’s kerchiefs were exactly what Smart would have ordered!

“The Great Waiomina Centennial Celebration was a, once in a lifetime commitment, for all of us,” Clarke said. “I had a dedicated Board and wonderful volunteers like Lani Olsen who managed all the volunteers and organized the grass roots infrastructure.” Through the efforts of WCC Director Keawe Vredenburg and Paniolo Preservation Society, Ikua Purdy was inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame in 2007 and John Palmer Parker was inducted into the National Cowboy Museum Hall of Great Westerners in 2008.

The Celebration is not over yet! Clarke plans a Cowgirls of the Pacific Easter Brunch and Fashion Show on April 11, 2009. Well known Hawaiian designer, Nake‘u is preparing a special Paniolo line of clothing for the event which will be held at Daniel Thiebaut Restaurant in Waimea. The event will also launch the long awaited “Paniolo Calendar” featuring a stunning picture collection of the Big Island’s daring Paniolo.

The educational components originated by the WCC board continue to expand in Hawaii schools. Deborah Paige, an Alaska meeting planner, has recently contacted Clarke on behalf of a group of Alaskan educators interested in the program which incorporates culture based learning opportunities into the school curriculum and the community.

“Three years ago, I thought I was volunteering for a simple community project. I had no idea our collective sense of adventure would carry us so far or accomplish so much. The Waiomina Centennial Celebration took on a life of its own. After that first trip to Cheyenne, I never looked back,” Clarke commented.

So will there be a 2009 Cultural Exchange Mission to Cheyenne? Clarke laughed, “Only if we can get state tourism organizations and a few other notables to help with financing. We promoted Hawaii and made a big splash pretty much on our own this year, but next year may require a bit more support!”