The Oahu Cattlemen’s Association inducted nine new members of the Paniolo Hall of Fame during the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council Annual Convention on Nov. 14 at the Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa.
The Oahu Cattlemen’s Association inducted nine new members of the Paniolo Hall of Fame during the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council Annual Convention on Nov. 14 at the Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa.
The 2015 inductees include Walter Boteilho Sr., Lani Cran Petrie, Gregory C. Friel, Henry Edward “Bud” Gibson, Charles Kaleoaloha Kahaleauki Jr., Godfrey Kahelelani Kainoa Sr., Thomas Weston Lindsey, Henry Lulu Rafael and Glenn Michael Souza.
The members of the Paniolo Hall of Fame are among the generations of Hawaii cowboys who have stood out in their contributions to cattle ranching throughout the islands. While the cattle industry is still very much alive and well in Hawaii, the paniolo have become a legendary and celebrated part of Hawaii’s present-day culture.
The Paniolo Hall of Fame was initiated by the Oahu Cattlemen’s Association in 1999 to recognize yesterday’s and today’s paniolo statewide. Every island is represented by those have contributed to keeping Hawaii’s paniolo heritage alive and made paniolo culture legendary.
With the induction of the 2015 inductees, the hall now includes 137 members statewide, living and deceased.
The Paniolo Hall of Fame consists of photo portraits, short biographies and oral history interviews. The portrait exhibit has been on display at Honolulu Hale, the annual statewide Paniolo Festival, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council annual meeting, Parker Ranch Museum, Hawaii State Library and numerous events and venues on all the islands.
It continues to circulate to various locations statewide and can be requested for display by contacting OCA. In addition, the Paniolo Hall of Fame Oral History project achieves this through 62 completed interviews with living Paniolo Hall of Fame members.
This project strives to capture and record as many life stories before they are lost to future generations and are aided by the contributions from business, individuals and foundations to make this project possible. The published interviews are available for purchase from OCA, and also are accessible through the Hawaii State Library System.
The Oahu Cattlemen’s Association is grateful for the cooperation of the many paniolo scattered throughout the islands, their families and the many sponsors big and small who have made the Paniolo Hall of Fame possible.
For more information about the Paniolo Hall of Fame, or to view the inductees photos and biographies, visit www.hicattle.org/paniolohalloffame.aspx.