Kaʻū News Briefs July 7, 2024

Out of the gate, the horses and riders demonstrate strength and agility as they focus on capturing the steer.
Photos by Julia Neal

Sorting cattle was an event at the rodeo.

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

KAʻŪ ROPING & RIDING'S 45th FOURTH OF JULY RODEO drew paniolo of all ages to Nāʻālehu Rodeo Grounds on July 6 and 7. Organized by Tammy Kaapana and the KR&R Association nonprofit, the event featured livestock from Hoomau Ranch. Aki Smith announced the rodeo. It drew numerous volunteers to operate the arena and was graced with financial sponsors in the community.
    Rodeo Queen this year is 14 year-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 Ryzaiah and RB Botelho.
Kane Wahine Team Roping buckles went to Billy Boy Benevides and Maddison Park.
Century Team Roping buckles went to Gilbert Smith and Danny Joseph.
Double Mugging buckles went to Justin Amaral an RJ Kahele.
Kane Wahine Ribbon Mugging buckles went to Kaila Andrade and Ryzaiah Botelho.
Wahine Mugging buckles went to Raisha Karatti and Ana Grace.
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 went to Hayzlee Kua.
Dummy Roping 5 to 8 buckle went to Elle-Marie Jose.
Goat Undecorating 4 & Under buckle went to Kekai Mello.
Goat Undecorating 5 to 8 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 Kākou, Punalu'u Bakeshop and Pāhala Pops. 

    Organizers said they would like to mahalo the sponsors and also Wally Andrade who provided water for the event.

Busting out of the chute for the steer and out of the gate for the rider show the agility and strength of riders and livestock. The

steers and calves came from Hoomau Ranch. Photos by Julia Neal

A keiki calf rider makes it out of the gate, holds on for a moment and is launched by the calf onto the rodeo grounds Sunday at Kaʻū Roping & Riding arena in Nāʻālehu. Rodeo mentors were quick to retrieve him, no injuries reported. Photos by Julia Neal

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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