WAIMEA — The best high school talent in the state assembled at Parker Ranch Rodeo Arena over the weekend for the Hawaii High School Rodeo Association State Finals.
There were 57 competitors from around the state competing in events, hoping to earn a spot in the National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, Wyoming from July 16-23.
“This is an important weekend for the kids and we had a great turnout,” HHSRA national director Tom Richmond said. “This is the start for many of their careers.”
The big winners were Big Island’s Hailey Onaka and Maui’s Koby Jacobson, who took home the coveted All-Around Cowgirl and Cowboy titles.
For Onaka, an incoming senior at Makua Lani, it was her third consecutive All-Around title. She was also the state champ in the Barrels, Breakaway Roping and Reined Cow Horse events.
“I think in any competition when you have set a certain standard, the pressure is a bit more. It feels like a build up, but once your weekend starts it gets a little easier,” Onaka said during the event Saturday. “The competition this year was really strong. It makes for a great finals. Nothing is easy.”
Onaka, who carries a 4.0 GPA, has designs on doing rodeo in college, a precedent set by her brother, Chase Onaka, who is currently on the Cal Poly rodeo team.
“I went and watched and came away a bit inspired,” she said. “It’s something I really want to do. When you come from Hawaii people don’t really understand that rodeo is a thing.”
Among those pushing Onaka for the All-Around title at the event was fellow Big Islander and Makua Lani student Pua Kauhaihao. It was a familiar scene for childhood friends.
“We have been competing against each other since kindergarten,” Kauhaihao said. “It has been pretty much back and forth All-Arounds since then.”
“I think she has made me a better competitor,” Onaka said, looking over at Kauhaihao, who was wearing a matching pink shirt. “You pretty much know everyone out here, especially the people from your district. It’s great to be able to cheer them on.”
Konawaena freshman Kaohu Haalilio took home the Rookie All-Around Cowboy title, and nearly added All-Around Cowboy to his resume in his debut. Jacobson edged him by just half a point. Haalilio will compete in the Reined Cow Horse and .22 Light Rifle Shooting Events at nationals and was the Reserve All-Around Cowboy.
On top of the friendly competition, local and national rodeo events give the high schoolers a chance to garner exposure to take rodeo to the next level. For Lexis Andrade, a senior and rodeo lifer, that moment came at the Panaewa Rodeo, where the announcer ended up being the coach at Walla Walla college.
“That was my chance and I caught his eye,” Andrade said, who was one of the winners of the NHSRA Merit Scholarship. “I know it is going to be a lot more competitive, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Andrade plans to major in architecture.
As for the nationals, Richmond expects a good showing from the 23-person Team Hawaii.
“The teams that have gone up to nationals the last couple of years have done a tremendous job representing Hawaii,” he said. “It’s also a chance for them to get exposure. There are colleges with rodeo teams and if they can impress a scout up there, it opens the door for potential scholarships. It’s out there.