Paniolo Hall of Fame to induct nine new members

The Paniolo Hall of Fame will announce the induction of nine new members of the Paniolo Hall of Fame in a banquet and ceremony during the Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council Annual Convention at the Waikoloa Beach Marriot Resort & Spa, on Saturday Nov. 19, 2022 at 12:30 p.m.

The 2022 inductees include:

Theodore Akeni Sonny Akau Jr.
1927-1996 Parker Ranch, Hawaiʻi

Theodore Sonny Akeni Akau Jr. was born on July 21, 1927 in Kawaihae to Mary Keawe and Theodore Akau Sr. He had two sisters, Eunice and Elizabeth, and a younger brother, Abraham Akau, who was also an inductee to the Paniolo Hall of Fame.  Sonny met the love of his life, his songbird, at a baby lūʻau in Kohala, Hawaiʻi. Her name was Rita Leialoha Lukela Lincoln. It was love at first sight. Their first date was horseback riding on the hills of the Kohala mountains. On June 16, 1951 at the Hongwanji Mission in Kamuela, they got married. They had five boys and one girl. The boys were Arthur, Arnold, Arden, Archer, Armand, and daughter Theodora. There were 18 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.  Sonny gave his life to two things, family & his job. He was a rough rider/paniolo cowboy first, then as supervisor for agronomy/heavy equipment. With only a 7th grade education, he was very grateful/humble for his position at Parker Ranch. He retired from Parker Ranch after 45 years. He always remembered a special bond with Uncle Richard Smart & his personal secretary Kiyomi Yoshimatsu. Mr. Smart (uncle Richard) took care of ALL of his Ranch families. Sonny was grateful for all the times Mr. Richard Smart paid for all the medical bills for one of Sonny’s sons born with serious head and neck problems.

William Malulani Kaleipaihala Beckley
1814-1871 Little Mexico Ranch, Hawaiʻi

William was born in 1814. He was the eldest child of Captain George Beckley, creator of the original Hawaiian Flag, and High Chiefess Ahia Kalaikumaikiekie. William was hanai to Queen Keōpūolani and was brought up together with Kauikeaouli, who would later become King Kamehameha III. William traveled with his father and mother as a child back and forth between Hawai’i and Veracruz, Mexico where his grandfather, on his father side, owned a family ranch. In 1793 – 1794, cattle were given to King Kamehameha I. He then placed a 10-year kapu on the herd to allow it to grow. Years later, there were roughly 25,000 wild cattle and an additional 10,000 domesticated cattle. This is when the kapu was lifted by Kamehameha III. William was placed in charge of shooting and roping the wild cattle. William, and his younger brother George, moved to Waimea and built their lives there. They became known as “The Beckley Boys” and with their help, Kamehameha III established trade in cattle hides with Spain. It became a thriving business. William, already in charge of the King’s Cattle on Hawai’i Island, was appointed Konohiki of Waimea, as well as manager of all the cattle there belonging to the King and the government. In 1844, William married High Chiefess Kahinuokekuaokalani-i-Lekeleke, who is the daughter of High Chief Ho’olulu. They had three children, Frederick William Kahapula, Maraea Angela Kaha’awelani, and George Charles Mo’oheau. William had his own portion of land, identified as Wa’awa’a, Waikani, and also a house lot at Lihu’e. Additionally, his wife was also awarded the land of Waiemi. William called his portion of land in Waimea “Little Mexico.” He raised thoroughbred horses and was also the first to import an Arabian horse to the islands. “Little Mexico” is now part of Parker Ranch. Within Parker Ranch, just at the bottom of a small hill, there are three graves that are barely noticeable. These graves are said to be the graves of William, his mother Ahia, and his wife Kahinu. William converted acres of land to pasture and with holding pens. In 1847, William was overseeing the branding of wild cattle for the Government of Hawai’i. This was the same year that John Palmer Parker purchased his first acres of land which would then become Parker Ranch. It was said that, as Konohiki, William was lenient. He never disputed a claim and was in most cases, the principal witness for lands that he had jurisdiction of. Circling back to the reference to Mexico within the name of his land “Little Mexico”. William, as Kamehameha III’s ranching partner, was the original recruiter of Spanish vaqueros to Hawai’i from Veracruz, Mexico. It was William’s understanding of Spanish customs and his application of them here on Hawai’i Island that provided the influence that we see so much of in our Hawaiian paniolo customs today. William passed away on March 16, 1871. He’s left a legacy that has influenced so much of the Paniolo culture here in Hawai’i. He was a part of it all from the very beginning.

Clifford Kuhoupio Dudoit
Puʻu O Hōkū, Molokaʻi Ranch, Kapualei, Molokaʻi

Clifford Kuhopio Dudoit Sr. was born to Jules Kukaʻiau Dudoit Sr. and Barbara Yoshie Yeda, on June 7, 1948, on the island of Molokaʻi. Clifford was raised with his family in the ahupua’a of Kūmimi in the Manaʻe (east region) of Molokaʻi. He is the descendent of French Consulate, Jules Dudoit and Hawaiian nobility, Kahooilina Paki. Clifford married the love of his life, Rania Kuulei Perez on Aug. 17, 1968 and share five children. Clifford was raised paniolo and developed exceptional horsemanship and ranching skills at a very young age. His daily tasks on the Dudoit Ranch included herding cattle, mending fences, tending to livestock and equipment, maintaining grazing areas, and providing food for his family. As a young man, he learned to break and train horses. In the mid-70s, Clifford Dudoit was hired and remained manager for the Puʻu o Hoku Ranch. Following his time there, he continued as a cowboy for Molokaʻi Ranch. Clifford’s horsemanship skills, livestock management skills, and intimate knowledge of the ʻāina made him a valuable asset. As Molokaʻi Ranch began to expand into other ventures and downsize their cattle operation, Clifford left to work in other areas of the Molokaʻi Community. He worked for the State of Hawaiʻi, DOT and then became the manager of Kapualei Ranch. During all of this time, Clifford always remained actively involved in everything paniolo like rodeo competitions. Clifford’s diligence and love for the paniolo life fostered a passion for teaching his paniolo skills to the younger generation while preserving an “authentic” paniolo heritage. Consequently, Clifford and his wife, Raina, built a reputation throughout Hawaiʻi for being able to teach children to rope and ride competitively.

His unorthodox training methods and family centered approach to skill building made his “rodeo school” the perfect place for those more “hard to handle” youth. As a result of his training, several Molokaʻi youths gained state and national championship recognition and titles that included a world-record time in the Team Roping event. Braddah Kaiama and Hano Naehu won world-record times in the 1993 National High School Rodeo Finals in Galette, Wyoming. Clifford also helped to found and organize rodeo clubs and organizations that continue to support Hawaii’s youth in their secondary education and to excel in the sport of rodeo. Equally impressive are his personal accomplishments. Since beginning rodeo competition as a young man, Clifford has entered the Champions Circle multiple times on county, state and national levels. A two-time qualifier to the National Team Roping Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada, Clifford looks forward to competing once again in the winter of 2022. Clifford Kuhopio Dudoit Sr. was born, raised and remains na Molokaʻi paniolo. His dedication and commitment to his heritage and the rich paniolo legacy handed down to him from his kupuna is alive and flourishing in future generations. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren cherish and live this beautiful culture and reap the benefits of his wisdom and life.

Morrency Duke Kealiikanakaole “Porky” Dudoit
Molokaʻi Ranch, Molokaʻi

Morrency “Porky” Dudoit was born on the Island of Molokaʻi and raised in Mana’e (east region) in the Ahupua’a of Kūmimi. Porky, as he is affectionately known, is a decedent of the French Consulate Jules Dudoit and Hawaiian nobility, Kahooilina Paki. He was gifted to his parents, Jules Kuka’iau Dudoit Sr. and Barbara Yoshie Yeda, on February 22, 1947. He is blessed with two beautiful children: DeAnn and Ross Joao Dudoit. Born into the paniolo way of life, the Dudoit children were expected to live, work, and love the Dudoit Ranch owned and operated by their grandfather Maurice Dudoit. As young boys, Porky and his brother Clifford were often left in charge of managing herds, mending and erecting fence lines, gathering and preparing wild game for family meals, and helping with the daily operations of the ranch. The Mana’e terrain was rough, with steep cliffs on one side, and the ocean on the other. This made management of the ranch and herd extremely important and required men with exceptional horsemanship and paniolo skills. Porky and his brother Clifford, from a very young age, were counted among the most skilled of these men. As children, both Porky and Clifford learned to rope, ride, and even went through the routine of driving and capturing pipi ʻāhiu (wild cattle) along with their uncles Puggy and Abe. Dudoit Ranch was the last ranch on Molokaʻi that raised “Hawaiian horses.” These horses were generally small in stature but known for their strength and very impressive ability to work hard and diligently. The brothers learned to break and train these Hawaiian ponies and even used them to compete at rodeo against top ranking quarter-horses. At one rodeo in 1967, the Dudoit boys performed exceptionally well on these Hawaiian ponies, leaving quite the impression on the crowd. As a result, a visiting Rancher, Dick Tool, offered them $2 a pound for these horses, a very lucrative offer in those days. This created a new interest and appreciation for these work horses that today are almost extinct. In 1966, after returning from active duty in the United States Army, honorably discharged for being wounded in battle, Porky worked as a professional paniolo for Pu’u o Hoku ranch until 1968 when he left to work for Molokaʻi Ranch. In his 25 years with Molokaʻi Ranch, Porky was exceptional in his ranching and paniolo abilities especially in breaking and training horses and as a farrier. His love for the paniolo way of life ignited other skills and passions. Porky became an expert practitioner of saddle making that further developed into the creation of a variety of leather equipment and accessories. At the age of 74, this paniolo is still actively training horses and working as a professional farrier. Morrency “Porky” Dudoit is a paniolo legend on Molokaʻi. He has lived a life dedicated to the honor and kuleana of being a true paniolo.

James Hapakuka Sr.
1911-1982 ʻUlupalakua Ranch, Maui

James K. Hapakuka Sr. was born April 13, 1911, at Pāhoa, Maui. He is the son of John Pakanaka Hapakuka and Lily Kali Kuhualua. James started his paniolo career at the age of 14. He worked for the Baldwin Family on ʻUlupalakua Ranch, Maui. In 1963, ʻUlupalakua was sold to the Erdman Family, James continued on until he retired on July 30, 1974. In James’ spare time, he was known for always working with his hands making whips and saddles and spending time with his family, and passing on his knowledge of the paniolo spirit. James married Cecilia Kalili Purdy (daughter of Ikua Purdy and Margaret Keala Manu Napuupahee Beniamina) on Feb. 6, 1936. James and Cecilia have six children, 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. James passed away on July 16, 1982 at the age of 71.

James William “Kimo” Ho’opai Jr.
Kahua, Parker, Kehena, Palani, KL Cross Ranches, Hawaiʻi

James William “Kimo” Hoopai Jr. was born to Kimo Sr. and Leina Hoopai on Nov. 23, 1960 in Kapaʻau, Kohala. Like his father and grandfather before him, he decided at a very early age that all he wanted to do was be a cowboy. His father recalls that Kimo started learning his cowboy skills when he was very young and he never turned back. It was his passion, he worked hard at it, and his career took him to ranches of all sizes working his way up as he went. After graduating from Kohala High School in 1978, Kimo enlisted in the Army and spent a year on the mainland before returning to join the Hawaiʻi National Guard as an infantryman where he served another 13 years in uniform.

Upon his return to Hawaiʻi, Kimo went to work for Kahua Ranch in 1980 as a ranch hand. There Kimo learned all the basics of ranch work and a cattle operation. In 1982, Kimo moved on to Parker Ranch where he started off in the breaking pen. Kimo has always loved his horses and took great interest and pride in making a good horse. He never seemed to mind a horse with a lot of spirit or even one with a predictable buck so long as the horse would settle down and give him a good honest day’s work. At Parker Ranch, he worked his way up to Section Lead Man, a position that included responsibility for administering the artificial insemination program for the purebred Angus, Brangus and Hereford herds. Most importantly to Kimo, he credits much of what he learned about horsemanship and working cattle from the priceless opportunity he had at Parker to work with and learn from the many Parker Ranch old timer paniolo. In 1996, an opportunity at Kehena Ranch drew Kimo back to Kohala working with Toby King for the next 13 years. During that period, they tripled the size of the ranch operation and developed the only registered Red Angus herd in the State. Toby says that words like “loyalty” and “honor” best describe Kimo. Kehena Ranch, however, was forced to shut down in 2012 when the worst drought in 100 years made the ranch business untenable. When that door closed, a window opened at Palani Ranch in Kona where Kimo moved to become the manager of Palani’s livestock operation. He was a key part of implementing some significant modifications to herd configuration and accompanying infrastructure/water system improvements. Kimo’s greatest legacy at Palani was initiating an AI program which over the following decade produced a high-quality genetic base that will serve the ranch well for years to come. Kimo’s riding and ranch-working career is on pause following neck surgery to fix a lifetime of hard work and cowboying. But being a cowboy at heart, he is working his way back into his cowboy life full of family, community service, staying close to his ranching roots, his music, and most importantly his relationship with the Lord. As Assistant Pastor of the Mana Christian ʻOhana Church, Kimo continues to contribute much of his time and strength in support of our community and fellow paniolo. To sum it up, a workday with Kimo on the ranch always started very early. When all were saddled up and ready to head out around day break, Kimo would gather the crew, pause for a moment together, and then he or one of his crew would offer a pule thanking Ke Akua for the privilege of being on the land, stewarding His creation, and giving thanks for the unique honor and good fortune of being a cowboy, doing what we all love most and hopefully can continue to do for generations to come.

David Hogan Kauwe
1886-1970 Parker Ranch, Hawaiʻi

David “Hogan” Kauwe was born June 2, 1886, on Parker Ranch at a homesite next to the slaughterhouse. His father John Kauwe was a saddle maker. His mother was part English and part Māori from New Zealand. He attended school in the old Waimea school house until the age of 13 when he took a job with the county doing pick and shovel work. In 1899, Hogan got a job with Tom Lindsey’s cowboy gang making $18 month and free poi. It was the highlight of his life. In 1901, he met Parker Ranch manager, Mr. Alfred Carter at a branding in Puhihale Corral. Just one year later, Mr. Carter moved Hogan to work with the roughrider gang. Hogan along with Barney Judd were among the first rough riders.

One of the darkest times in Hogan’s life came when he was riding a horse on the Waipio trail, and the horse keeled over. Hogan believed the horse had heart problems but Mr. Carter had a different view of the situation and fired him. Through the darkness came light because during this time Hogan met the love of his life, Rena Mainaaupo, while roping with Ikua Purdy. Rena Mainaaupo is the daughter of Kalipo Mainaaupo who was also the grandfather of Billy Boy Lindsey. Rena and Hogan were married a short time later and remained together for life living on the 13-acre ranch that remains in the family today. In 1907, Hogan went to Mr. Carter and asked for his job back. Mr. Carter put him to work cutting māmane fence post. He worked with the fence foreman, Martin Campbell, building the Mauna Kea boundary-line fence. A short time later, Carter put him back on the Cowboy gang where he stayed until his retirement in 1957. “Those were the happiest days of my life. Sometimes I was acting foreman, or assistant foreman.” He had several bad accidents over the years. In June of 1936, he fell from his horse near the Pauwanui paddock and broke his ankle. His horse returned to the corral without him. All the paniolo instantly knew something was wrong and set out to find him. Two hours later they located him, and he remained off work to heal for 16 months. He was one of the first to be hired in the famous Cowboy Gang and he was the last surviving member of the group. They worked together and they had fun together. If there was any trouble, they were all in it together. They always helped each other out. They would hang out at the back of Akona’s store (where this photo was taken). In 1957, he retired from Parker Ranch. However, he just couldn’t sit still so, he continued to work a few days a week riding and checking irrigation lines on the ranch. He would then work 6 months out of the year on Oʻahu with Ruddy Tongg working and branding cattle. The love of the paniolo lifestyle and heritage was passed down from Hogan “Big Papa” to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He taught them how to ride horses, sort cattle, even make their own ʻili (skin ropes). His grandsons Iasas Kaleikula and David Kaula were roughriders and saddle makers for Parker Ranch. His only great granddaughter Georgieanna (Spencer) Hopfe rounded cattle with him at the Tongg Ranch and was a Paʻu Rider. His two times great grandson Dustin Hopfe works with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) treating injured Rodeo athletes. In the four generations of his ʻohana, his legacy of the paniolo values and way of life are just as strong today as they were back then.

John M.P. “Jackie” Tavares
Wailanui Farm, Huelo Ranch, Maui

John M. P. Tavares, more affectionately known as Jackie Pacheco, was born on Oct. 28, 1932 (one of a set of twin boys) to John and Elizabeth Tavares of Kokomo, Maui. His father, John, worked for Haleakalā Ranch and managed his own personal herd of cows on weekends. Jackie was therefore born into a ranching family. As soon as he could walk, he was thrown on a horse to help with the family ranching activities. He recalls riding horseback from Kokomo to Huelo and back on weekends to work his father’s cattle. Right out of high school, he started his own little herd. He also started to work for a family operation in the Ōmaʻopio area of Maui, known back then as Waialae Nui Ranch. This ranch was owned by Walter and Hilda Costa of Oʻahu. They operated a dairy and meat market on Oʻahu, which their Maui operation supported. The ranch ran a cross of Brahman cows that were best suited for the dry Ōmaʻopio weather. In addition to their cow herd, the Costa family also ran a feedlot and their own slaughterhouse in Ōmaʻopio. The slaughtered carcasses were then shipped to the Costa’s Oʻahu meat market. It was on this ranch that Jackie became a “Jack of all trades.” From sharpening his cattle raising skills, to running a feedlot, to being a butcher in the slaughterhouse, Jackie had to do a little of everything to make things work. He also worked one day a week slaughtering cattle at Elmer Carvalho’s slaughter facility on Dairy Road in Kahului. They would slaughter about ten head between the hours of 4:00-11:00 every Thursday night. This was done after getting off from his day job at Waialae Nui Ranch. His weekends were spent working his own cattle in the Twin Falls, Huelo, Kailua area of East Maui. As time permitted, he would also assist other ranchers with their work. Names like Hansel Akoi of Keʻanae, Steven Cabral of Kailua, Bruce Flemming of Kula, and Bill Ebi of Haiku were some of them. He never turned down the opportunity to help his fellow rancher, as he also knew he could depend on them to help him as well. It was a sign of a true paniolo and the way the Hawaiʻi ranching community survived. Otherwise on his time off, he enjoyed shoreline fishing and pig hunting. He was also an active participant in the Makawao 4th of July Rodeo and the ʻUlupalakua Ranch Rodeo, where he participated in team roping and double mugging events. One of his rodeo partners would always be his twin brother Howard, who he also shared Grand Marshall honors with for the Makawao Rodeo Parade in 2007. Jackie always had a hard work ethic! He would always say, “to be a good rancher you have to know a little of everything. Know little bit about plumbing, carpentry, mechanic, electrician, etc. so you could do most of the ranch work yourself to keep your costs down.” He would raise, shoe and train his own ranch horses. He could also do a little leather work and made for himself a kaula ʻili rope and whips. The raising of cattle came natural to him. He had a sharp eye for selecting good cows, bulls and horses. He also selected a great wife in Wilden Tavares, who has stuck by his side for over 60 years. Jackie is proud and honored to be inducted alongside his father, John Pacheco Tavares, into the Paniolo Hall of Fame.

Robert Gordon “Boy” von Tempsky
1896 -1976 Erewhon Ranch, ʻUlupalakua Ranch
Kaupō Ranch, Maui

“Boy” von Tempsky was born September 24, 1896 at Makawao, Maui. His parents were Randal von Tempsky and Dora Melville Dowsett. Boy was educated by a family governess until he was of age to be sent to grammar school in Berkely, CA. Later he was sent to Punahou for his first two years of High School. His mother became desperately ill in 1913 and Boy had to drop out of school and return home to help his mother, Dora, with the 5,000-acre ranch. Boy’s father Randal passed away on Nov 2, 1898 at the very young age of 42 due to an aneurysm. Dora ran the ranch dairy with hired help. When she became ill, Boy returned home, but his mother sent him to be schooled by Alfred Hartwell Carter, the manager of Parker Ranch. She wanted him to learn all aspects of the cattle business. He lived with his mother’s cousin Aunt Elizabeth “Tootsie” Dowsett in Waimea. Upon his return from Parker Ranch in 1915, at the young age of 17, Boy managed all responsibilities of the dairy production. They raised Holstein X Jersey cows. They produced and processed milk and butter for sale that was delivered to Kahului by oxen drawn wagons. About 1917, the mainland markets came to Maui to compete with the local dairy businesses. The local dairies could no longer compete with the cheaper mainland prices. At that time, Boy sold all the dairy cows and purchased Hereford cattle from Parker Ranch to start his cow-calf ranch. “Erewhon Cattle Station” became the name of the family business and the ranch. While running the upper lands of the ranch with his cattle, he developed new grasses imported from New Zealand on the lower property, prepared the fencing, corrals and land for renting. Boy married his sweetheart, Mary Sophia von Schrader on September 15, 1919 in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Mary or better known as “Mamea” was the niece of Dr. James Harvey Raymond of the Rose Ranch (now Ulupalakua Ranch). She was raised by her uncle “Kauka” James Harvey Raymond and his wife Phoebe Dowsett. Boy and Mamea were married for 53 years and lived all of their lives on Erewhon Cattle Station Ranch. They eventually had two sons, Robert Gordon von Tempsky Jr. (aka Ski) and Raymond Montgomery von Tempsky. About 1929, Boy entered into an agreement with ʻUlupalakua Ranch, under the ownership of Frank Baldwin. ʻUlupalakua leased Erewhon ranch properties, and Boy then became an assistant manager at ʻUlupalakua Ranch. There he built the slaughter house to help the ranch become complete and self-sustainable. Boy built the rodeo grounds at ʻUlupalakua and became the founder of the “ʻUlupalakua Days Rodeo” in 1939 reestablishing rodeo on Maui. After 20 years spent on ʻUlupalakua Ranch, Boy resigned in 1948 and was asked to step into the management of Haleakalā Motors Car Sales in Wailuku, Maui. He said “All of his life has been with cattle”, this was definitely a new venture for his future. After working at Haleakalā Motors for 10 years, 1948-1956 he wanted to go back to the ranching business, while at Haleakalā Motors he still managed his own ranch leases, later leasing ranch lands to Haleakalā Ranch. He was hired by Dwight Baldwin’s Kaupō Ranch Limited for a five year contract in 1957. After the five year contract, Boy was asked to stay on as a director/supervisor of the Denman & Lackey Ranch holdings owned by two Texan Cattlemen at Kaupō Ranch. Boy was very community minded and was active in many community activities and boards, He was a fire warden in the Waiakoa district for 35 years. He helped to organize the Maui Vegetable Growers Association. He was active with Maui’s Horse Racing Association and promoted the Maui County Fairs with the Rotary Club. He loved the sport of polo and enjoyed watching his son Gordon compete in matches. He rode as the Grand Marshal of the 3rd Annual Makawao Parade in 1967. Erewhon Ranch lands were also given, at a minimal cost, to the Catholic Community to build the Holy Ghost Church. Also, a lease was drawn up with the County of Maui to build the Kula Community Center. Boy von Tempsky also ran a concession at Haleakalā Crater. The von Tempsky family ran the first trail ride tour into the crater. They also ran the Haleakalā Mountain Lodge, “Puʻu Niahiau” which was later used for an Army base from 1940-1946. Robert Gordon “Boy” von Tempsky passed away on June 24 th , 1976 at 79 years of age on his beloved Erewhon Ranch lands. He was a servant to the land and his family. Ua Mau ke Ea o Ka ʻĀina I ka Pono o Hawaiʻi.

The members of the Paniolo Hall of Fame are among the generations of Hawaiʻi cowboys who have stood out in their contributions to cattle ranching throughout all the islands. While the cattle industry is still very much alive and well in Hawaiʻi today, the paniolo have become a legendary and celebrated part of Hawaiʻi’s present-day culture.

Now in its 23th year, including our 2022 inductees, there are 166 members, both living and deceased in the Paniolo Hall of Fame. All the islands are represented by its members. All these paniolo are selected through a nomination process.

The Paniolo Hall of Fame distributes the criteria and nomination forms bi-annually. Anyone may request and submit a nomination form. The Paniolo Hall of Fame presently consists of photo portraits, short biographies and oral history interviews.

The Paniolo Hall of Fame is on permanent display at the Paniolo Preservation Society’s museum at Pukalani Stables, Waimea Hawaiʻi. Hawaiʻi’s surviving paniolo are among a long and colorful chapter in Hawaiʻi’s history that should be preserved.

The Paniolo Hall of Fame Oral History project presently consists of 72 completed interviews with living Paniolo Hall of Fame members. The objective of the interview project is to capture and record the life stories of as many paniolo as possible, before they are lost to future generations.

Contributions from businesses, individuals and foundations make this project possible.

“The Paniolo Hall of Fame is grateful for the cooperation of the many paniolo scattered throughout these islands, their families, and the many sponsors big and small, who have made the Paniolo Hall of Fame possible,” organizers said.