DON’T MISS THIS EVENT ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 18TH AT THE PANIOLO HERITAGE CENTER AT PUKALANI STABLES!
The recipients of the Kepa Lifetime Achievement Awards presented by Paniolo Preservation Society are: Willy Andrade, independent rancher of Honokaa, Tommy Kaniho of Ka’alualu Ranch in Ka’u, and four Kona paniolo — Gilbert Loando of Hualalai Ranch, Tony Jose of Palani Ranch, Alfred Medeiros of McCandless Ranch and Manuel Medeiros of Ho’omau Ranch.
Six paniolo to receive Kepa Lifetime Achievement Awards
SPECIAL TO NORTH HAWAII NEWS
Six paniolo from across Hawaii Island will be recognized on Saturday, Jan. 18, by the Paniolo Preservation Society at the Second Kepa Lifetime Achievement Awards ceremony and dinner at the Paniolo Heritage Center at Pukalani Stables in Kamuela. This year’s recipients are: Willy Andrade, independent rancher of Honokaa, Tommy Kaniho of Ka’alualu Ranch in Ka’u, and four Kona paniolo — Gilbert Loando of Hualalai Ranch, Tony Jose of Palani Ranch, Alfred Medeiros of McCandless Ranch and Manuel Medeiros of Ho’omau Ranch. The celebration promises to be filled with nostalgia and stories about these great men. The evening, which begins at 5:30 p.m., includes a Hawaiian plate dinner, entertainment and awards ceremony. Event tickets are $15 and are available at Kamuela Liquor Store, Parker Ranch Store and Kua’aina Saddlery at Pukalani Stables in Kamuela and at Gramma’s Kitchen in Honokaa.
The coveted Kepa award honors the contribution of dedicated men and women in the ranching and cattle industry that have performed their life’s work devoted to furthering the care and well-being of animals in their charge and the ranches they serve.
In 2011, Paniolo Preservation Society recognized a need to acknowledge and memorialize senior stewards of Hawaii’s cattle industry, whose careers exemplify the values of ranch life in the Far West. These individuals distinguished themselves by performing their life’s work in a way that set them apart from others thus commanding respect of their peers. Carrying out their unspoken responsibility to pass on their knowledge and skills to the next generation, this select group is credited for ensuring that the paniolo heritage and traditions continues into perpetuity.
The first group of distinguished Kepa awardees in 2011 were Clem Andrade, Richard Casey DeSilva, Willy Gomes, Kimo Hoopai Sr., Miki Kato and Eugene Olivera. Silver Spur recipients were Donnie DeSilva and Sonny Keakealani. All recipients distinguished themselves for leadership in ranching, rodeo, land stewardship, youth mentorship and multigenerational family values.
Paniolo Preservation Society is proud to honor these recipients — helping to do its part in providing generational continuity with the past, present and future, bearing witness to their exemplary careers that have perpetuated and enriched the image of the paniolo.
