Kaʻū News Briefs July 7, 2024

Sorting cattle was an event at the rodeo.

Kaʻū Roping & Riding Rodeo Queen is Jeanne Maraj. Photo by Julia Neal

KAʻŪ ROPING & RIDING'S FOURTH OF JULY RODEO drew paniolo of all ages to Nāʻālehu Rodeo Grounds on July 6 and 7. Organized by Tammy Kaapana, the event featured livestock from Hoomalu Ranch and Aki Smith calling the rodeo. It drew numerous volunteers to operate the rodeo and financial sponsors in the community.
    Rodeo Queen this year is 14 yea- old Jeanne Maraj, who is involved with riding and rodeo at Pana'ewa. She is daughter of Cindy Bourdier and Roger Maraj. She said riding and rodeo are her passions.
    Here are the winners of the rodeo events:
Open Team Roping buckles went to Ryaiah and RB Botelho.
Kane Wahine Team Roping buckles went to Billy Boy B and Maddison Park.
Century Team Roping buckles went to Gilbert Smith and Danny Joseph.
Double Mugging buckles went to Justi Amaral an dR j Kahele.
Kane Wahine Ribbon Mugging buckles went to Kaila Andrade and Ryyzaiah Botelho.
Wahine Mugging buckles went to Raisha Karatti and Ana Errace.
Wahine Breakaway buckle went to Hilina'i Karatti,
Team Sorting buckles went to Josh Gomes, Rigan Kaapana and Cody Esperago.
Po Wai U buckle went to Aden Benevedes
Keiki Barrels buckle went to Elle-Marie Jose.
Dummy Roping 4 & Under buckle wen to Hayzlee Kua
Dummy Roping 5 to 8 five years buckle went to Elle Marie Jose.
Goat Undecorating4 & Under buckle went to Kekai Mello.
Goat Undecorating5 to 8 years buckle went to Baylie-Ann Lorenzo-Kuahiwi.
    Buckle sponsors were: Camino Properties, 4K Ranch, Miranda Country Store, Kiser Motorcycles, C&F Trucking,  CU Hawai'i Federal Credit Union, Deep Wellness Chiropractic Hana Hou Restaurant & Tita Taco, O  Kaʻū Kakou, Punalu'u Bakeshop and Pāhala Pops. Organizers said they would like to mahalo the sponsors and also Wally Andrade who helped with hauling and other feats.

A Keiki Barrels contestant in the Sunday sessions  of the two-day Independence Day Rodeo July 6 and 7. Photo by Julia Neal

KEIKI EVENTS ARE A FEATURE OF KAʻŪ ROPING & RIDING RODEOS, practices and training throughout the year. They range from dummy roping, to barrel racing and calf riding, along with goat undecorating. Many Kaʻū young wahine and kane paniolo start their relationship with livestock and horses as soon as they can walk, after being carried on horseback by their parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles when they were infants. The keiki  win buckles for their efforts at the annual Fourth of July Rodeo and other events at Nāʻālehu arena, sponsored by Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association, and grow into the sport as they grow up with in their ranching paniolo families in Kaʻū.                                                                                         
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