HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

296

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

HONORING MAUI'S PANIOLO LIVING TREASURES:  CHARLES A. KAHALEAUKI SR., CHARLES "CHUNGA" A. KAHALEAUKI JR., FRANCIS NAPUA PO'OUAHI, AND CARL "SOOT" H. BREDHOFF JR., OF KAUPO RANCH; AND MERTON G. KEKIWI SR., OF ULUPALAKUA RANCH.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, the legacy of Maui's paniolo is maintained through the dedication and hard work exemplified in the individuals who have committed their lives to ranching and preserving this treasured lifestyle; and

 

     WHEREAS, Maui's paniolo are known for their love of the outdoors and the cowboy way of life, are not afraid of getting their hands dirty, and have become experts in cultivating livestock and preserving ancient traditions such as hoaupipi (a unique method of transferring items from ships to shore without a pier), kaula ili (making rope out of cowhide), and noho lio (the art of Hawaiian saddle making); and

 

     WHEREAS, the history of the paniolo has been revered in the islands since 1793 when Captain George Vancouver of the British Navy presented King Kamehameha I with five black longhorn cattle; and

 

     WHEREAS, King Kamehameha I declared these cattle to be kapu to allow them to procreate and multiply, which led to twenty-five thousand free range cattle roaming the lands along with ten thousand semi-domesticated cattle; and

 

     WHEREAS, with numerous cattle and no one to tend to them, King Kamehameha III sent a high chief to California to bring cowboys back to the islands to teach Hawaiians how to care for cattle and how to handle horses; and

 

     WHEREAS, three Mexican-Spanish vaqueros arrived in Hawaii and soon a local cattle industry was born, with large ranches emerging, including Kaupo and Ulupalakua Ranch on Maui; and

 

     WHEREAS, for decades the paniolo have proved themselves to be exceptional athletes, riders, horse handlers, and cattlemen, who exude a rich tradition of cowboy and ranch culture that is still visible today; and

 

     WHEREAS, Maui's Paniolo Living Treasures know no limits, have years of character instilled in them, have a wild sense of humor to match, and have taken the time and care to pass on their skills, talent, and legacy to the next generation of paniolo; and

 

     WHEREAS, as the embodiment of the paniolo way of life, Charles A. Kahaleauki Sr., Charles "Chunga" A. Kahaleauki Jr., Francis Napua Po'ouahi, and Carl "Soot" H. Bredhoff Jr., of Kaupo Ranch; and Merton G. Kekiwi Sr., of Ulupalakua Ranch have been recognized as Maui Paniolo Living Treasures; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, that this body hereby honors Maui's Paniolo Living Treasures:  Charles A. Kahaleauki Sr., Charles "Chunga" A. Kahaleauki Jr., Francis Napua Po'ouahi, and Carl "Soot" H. Bredhoff Jr., of Kaupo Ranch; and Merton G. Kekiwi Sr., of Ulupalakua Ranch, and commends them for their unwavering dedication, exemplary accomplishments, and leadership roles as true Maui Paniolo Living Treasures and the last living paniolo of their kind; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to Charles A. Kahaleauki Sr., Charles "Chunga" A. Kahaleauki Jr., Francis Napua Po'ouahi, and Carl "Soot" H. Bredhoff Jr., of Kaupo Ranch; and Merton G. Kekiwi Sr., of Ulupalakua Ranch.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Maui's Paniolo Living Treasures