HR137

WHEREAS, in 1792, Captain George Vancouver gave King Kamehameha I a gift of cattle, and under Captain Vancouver's advice, King Kamehameha I placed a ten-year kapu over the cattle so that they might multiply in peace; and

WHEREAS, the kapu on the cattle accomplished more than its desired effect as the cattle multiplied beyond control, and in 1803, horses were introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by Richard Clevedon as a gift to the nation; and

WHEREAS, by 1820, the cattle industry was becoming a valuable industry to the Hawaiian Islands, and to help facilitate its growth, King Kamehameha III brought in a group of Mexican men from Vera Cruz, to the Big Island roughly around 1830, who became the first paniolo or cowboys in the Hawaiian Kingdom; and

WHEREAS, with the arrival of the paniolo, came the growth of a new industry leading to the development of some of the world's finest ranches and significant contributions to the Hawaiian culture; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii was introduced to new ways of practicing water and land conservation, elements of indigenous, cultural, and Western medicine were brought in, and advances in veterinarian care, botanical surveys, and agronomical improvements can be credited to the paniolo; and

WHEREAS, with the knowledge and the skills of the first paniolo, the cattle ranches of Hawaii were able to expand and grow, and their skills were quickly learned by the Hawaiian people; and for over a century, Hawaii was a major exporter of cattle to places such as California, other destinations in the Americas, and around the Pacific Rim; and

WHEREAS, the skills and talents of Hawaii's paniolo were clearly on display at the 1908 World Rodeo Championships in Cheyenne, Wyoming, when three paniolo from Hawaii placed in the top six at the championships, with Ikua Purdy, arguably Hawaii's most famous paniolo, taking first place and winning the event on a horse he had to borrow; and

WHEREAS, the skills and the efforts of these early paniolo led to the establishment of some of the world's most famous ranches, such as Parker Ranch on the Big Island, Ulupalakua Ranch on Maui, Kahuku Ranch on Oahu, and Molokai Ranch; and

WHEREAS, the paniolo played a large role in the development of Hawaii: bringing new language and customs, connecting with and becoming a part of the local Hawaiian culture, and greatly influencing the popularity of the slack key guitar and the ukulele, two of Hawaii's most symbolic musical instruments; and

WHEREAS, an extremely significant cultural contribution of the paniolo is their influence on the preservation of the Hawaiian language, since paniolo are one of the few groups who actively speak the Hawaiian language and are viewed as "keepers of the language"; and

WHEREAS, each new generation brought into the paniolo way of life and taught the lessons and skills of the previous generation, a richer and stronger tradition will emerge, as new elements are added to the traditions of the paniolo; and

WHEREAS, with the help of organizations such as the Hawaii High School Rodeo Association and the Paniolo Preservation Society that provide opportunities for both boys and girls at an extremely early age, the future of the paniolo community in the State looks bright; and

WHEREAS, the impact that paniolo have had in all aspects of life in Hawaii is far-reaching, and the people of Hawaii owe a great deal to the contributions of the paniolo; and

WHEREAS, on November 7, 2007, the Governor joined the Lieutenant Governor in proclaiming 2008 as the "Year of the Paniolo"; and

WHEREAS, the Paniolo Preservation Society is celebrating 2008 as the Year of the Paniolo by sponsoring the Great Waiomina Centennial Celebration to honor generations of paniolo as stewards of the land and perpetuators of the Hawaiian culture and all things "cowboy" with rodeos, concerts, rides, barbecues, and parades throughout the year and throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, while the combined efforts of all paniolo is celebrated, a distinguished group of five men deserve special recognition for their leadership, integrity, and contributions to the paniolo community: Abraham Akau, Eddie Taniguchi, Jr., Kimo Ho'opai, Jr., Merton Kekiwi, and Morrency Dudoit; and

WHEREAS, carrying on the rich tradition of the paniolo is an important responsibility for the next generation, five young adults have already shown that they have the skills to take up the reigns: Levi Rita, Cheyenne Gaspar, Kristyn-Lee Vasconcelles, Cole Hendrickson, and Cheyanne Keliihoomalu; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that this body recognizes and honors the paniolo, as the year 2008 has been proclaimed "The Year of the Paniolo", so that we may commemorate their contributions to the State, and most importantly, educate the citizens of Hawaii on the history of the paniolo; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Director of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Paniolo Preservation Society.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Year of the Paniolo

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	137
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII