WAIMEA — The Parker Ranch Fourth of July rodeo offers a little something for everyone, which is probably why, year after year, the stands are overflowing with onlookers of all ages from all over Hawaii — and the world.
The ranch always delivers for the thousands on hand for the events, which include the signature event of horse racing and Po’o Wai U, an event that originated in Hawaii.
Both are specialties for Parker Ranch, and are not always associated with other rodeos around the island. The horse racing event culminates with an unusual relay on horseback, batons and all.
For an Australian family visiting the Big Island over the holiday, the 56th annual edition of the rodeo is just what they had in mind when they booked their trip.
“We wanted to see what you do on the Fourth of July in Hawaii,” said Sue Dunston. “We were hoping to see some lassoing and some horses. It’s also nice that the rodeo only goes until noon so it doesn’t interfere with any beaching.”
Dunston was joined by her husband, Colin, who was celebrating his 70th birthday. The pair noticed that an American rodeo differs from Australian rodeos, which can including camel racing.
“Camels were very big in central Australia because they can go along way without water,” Colin Dunston said. “The Afghans brought them over and they were used for an overland telegraph. They were apart of the history on the country.”
Horses were used for the same reason, to send messages over long distances, in the United States. The Dunstons — who were visiting Hawaii with their daughter Catherine Wong, her husband, Andrew Wong, as well as their two sons — were very keen on seeing the horse racing events, which along with the relay, included one-eighth mile races and quarter-mile races.
“We wanted to see things we could not see in our country, and since we live in the city and not the country, we don’t have an opportunity to see a rodeo very often,” Catherine Wong said.
“We saw the advertisement and thought, why not go to our first American rodeo,” Andrew Wong added.
Luke Harriman, of Oregon, was also at the holiday rodeo. He too noticed the differences between the Parker Ranch Rodeo and the ones he would watch back on the mainland.
“First of all there is no rough stock,” Harriman said, pointing out there were no events such as bull riding. “And the first event (Po’o Wai U), we don’t have anything like that back home.”
The Po‘o Wai U is an event where a single rider on horseback ropes a steer by the horns and maneuvers it to a forked amana or stand. The rider then dismounts and ties a non-choke knot on the steer’s neck to the amana, with the rider with the fastest time picking up the victory.
The Independence Day tradition also included team roping, ranch mugging, keiki barrel racing and junior/senior ribbon roping.
But the main attraction has always been the horse racing, which is what brought out Waimea’s Kai Hiraoka and his son Kanoa, who have attended the Parker Ranch event several times.
“My son loves the horse racing,” Kai Hiraoka said. “He just loves seeing the horses.”
Competing in this year’s event were Parker Ranch, RK Livestock, KL Cross Ranch, Ernest DeLuz Ranch, Palani Ranch, Kahua-Ponoholo and Andrade Ranch.