Parker Ranch hosted the July 4 Rodeo and Horse Races Saturday morning in Waimea. The 53rd annual event took place in front of a packed grandstand filled with fans from all over the Big Island.
Excitement was in the air from the people in attendance to the guys and gals in the rodeo arena and on the racing track. There was so much excitement, in fact, that the public announce system couldn’t handle it and went out midway through the event and stayed out for about 30 minutes.
“We had a few little glitches with the sound, but it was a wonderful turnout,” said Nahua Guilloz, the senior manager and corporate secretary for Parker Ranch. “It was a fun show and I think everything went absolutely fantastic.”
As always, the big draw was the horse racing, which had members of five different ranches competing in the quarter and 1/8-mile events. Parker Ranch led the way with 11 contestants and the numbers showed in the final results. The host ranch took the top three spots in the 1/8 mile race with Klem Kaniho edging out Scott Spence (second) and Jesse Hoopai for the top prize.
Both Spence and Hoopai placed second and third, respectively, in the quarter-mile race, giving Parker Ranch two more placers, but it would be RK Livestock’s Tom Richmond who would finish first.
In a controversial relay race at the end of the rodeo, the host ranch team of Brandon Hoopai, Jesse Hoopai and Kaniho, took on the SC Ranch team of Danny Pajimola, Fatso Paiva and Ala Lindsey. SC Ranch crossed the finish line first but Parker Ranch was initially declared the winner after a report of an illegal handoff. After some confusion on the outcome of the race, the officials elected to award a draw.
“I love the relay race,” Guilloz said. “It’s a horse race, but also takes skill. It makes me stand up on my seat and cheer.”
In the rodeo events, Parker Ranch’s Brandon Hoopai took first place overall in the poo wai u. In team roping, the SC Ranch duo of Charles Stevens and Miles Miyasato placed first. Keith Gomes, Kamuela Bertelmann and Kekahi Ferreira took first for RK Livestock in ranch mugging. Brandon and Brandi Hoopai won the Junior-Senior ribbon roping to wrap up the rodeo.
After the dust had settled and the numbers were crunched, Parker Ranch came out in front at the end of the night, winning the KEPA Award, which is given to the top ranch on the day. Jesse Hoopai was named the Parker Ranch All-Around Cowboy. He joined Spence in a tie for the All-Around Race Champion. Tyler Cox was named the All-Around Rodeo Champion.