Molokaʻi Ranch Heritage Rodeo Attracts Thousands

This year’s All Around Cowgirl is Shelby Rivera from Oʻahu. Courtesy photo.

By Maui Now Staff

Molokaʻi Ranch hosted the Molokaʻi Ranch Heritage Rodeo on April 25, 2015, at the ranch’s arena on the

This year’s All Around Cowboy is Kalai Nobriga from the Big Island. Courtesy photo.

West End of the island that drew over 2,000 fans and nearly 100 contestants from around the state.

Rodeo attendance has grown exponentially since Molokaʻi Ranch brought the rodeo in 2013.

“The Heritage Rodeo was successful due to the dedication and knowledge of our Molokaʻi Ranch team members and volunteers,” said Clay Rumbaoa, CEO of Molokaʻi Ranch. “Their commitment demonstrates the reputation of quality and authentic hospitality upon which our ranch was built. We want to thank all the fans, sponsors and especially the paniolo, whose skill, sportsmanship and athleticism made this a day to remember.”

A wide range of rodeo events included mixed roping, keiki barrels, high-energy bull riding and more.

This year’s All Around Cowboy award went to Kalai Nobriga from Hawaiʻi Island. The All Around Cowgirl honors went to Shelby Rivera from Oʻahu. Both winners earned custom-engraved leather saddles. Winners of individual events received cash prizes and engraved belt buckles.

Hawaiʻi music icons and Grammy award-winning artists Henry Kapono, John Cruz and Brother Noland–the “Rough Riders”–entertained the crowd with their distinctive voices and musical talent.

“Molokaʻi Ranch takes an active role in working toward sustainability, being proactive in pursuing our four established pillars of animal husbandry, as demonstrated by our Molokaʻi Ranch Beef brand; authentic hospitality, of which the Heritage Rodeo is one example; renewable energy and sustainable farming,” added Rumbaoa.

Key sponsors of this year’s Heritage Rodeo included Mycogen, Bank of Hawaiʻi, ʻOhana by Hawaiian Airlines, Hotel Molokaʻi, and OrangeRoc Marketing and Creative Services.

For more information about the ranch, go online.

Molokaʻi Ranch is the state’s second largest operating ranch, with over 1,800 head of cattle. It is the seventh largest landowner, spanning 55,000 acres of the island’s beach and countryside. The ranch has a long and proud history on the Friendly Isle since its began more than a century ago.