The Paniolo Heritage Center is currently open to the public on special event days only. Tours are under development – stay tuned.
The Paniolo Heritage Center is under construction and expanding in 2012. Our first exhibit room is complete and features the Oahu Cattlemen Association’s ‘Paniolo Hall of Fame’ along with a collection of spurs, bits and hand-crafted saddles from the Paniolo Preservation Society’s collection. Donations are greatly appreciated and go directly to preserving the proud legacy of the Hawaiian cowboy.
The Paniolo Hall of Fame
The Paniolo Hall of Fame was initiated by the Oahu Cattlemen’s Association in 1999 to recognize yesterday’s and today’s paniolo statewide who have contributed to keeping Hawai`i’s paniolo heritage alive, and to honor those who made the paniolo culture legendary. The exhibit consists of photo portraits, short biographies and oral history interviews.
Location: Pukalani Stables is located in the heart of Waimea (Kamuela) at the end of Pukalani Street. If approaching from Kona on Highway 190, take a right at the stoplight by Ace Hardware. This is Pukalani Street and will take you straight to Pukalani Stables. If approaching from Hilo on Highway 190, take a left at the same light. At the next intersection you’ll see a ‘Private Road’ sign that leads you to the Paniolo Heritage Center at Pukalani Stables. Ample parking is located directly across from the stables. Please do not park in the Holoholoku Housing development as they will tow your vehicle. Mahalo.
COMING SOON
The Birth of the Paniolo and Hawaiian Ranching
We are feverishly working on our first talk-story program entitled ‘The Birth of the Paniolo and Hawaiian Ranching’. In the island tradition of ‘talk story’ we will entertain guests with tales of the arrival of cattle and horses to the islands, the transformation of wild bullock hunting to ranching via the expertise of the imported Vaqueros, and the rise of the modern ranch in the Aloha state.
Besides a history lesson, you’ll hear stories of true grit and how the brave and talented paniolo domesticated the wild longhorns and built a ranching industry that was second to none. Stay tuned for further announcements and special events! Mahalo for your support of the Paniolo Heritage Center and the Paniolo Preservation Society. A hui hou!
