Kamuela, Hawaii: The Paniolo Hall of Fame proudly announces the induction of Dr. William “Billy” Carthage Bergin, a legendary figure in Hawaii’s ranching history, into its esteemed 2024 cohort. This significant honor highlights his lifelong contributions to Hawaii’s paniolo heritage and underscores his work’s importance in preserving its ranching culture.
Dr. Bergin’s connection to the paniolo world began in 1949 when his life was transformed by a year spent in Umikoa, nestled in the heart of Kukaiau Ranch on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii Island. He recalled, “I spent a year with a small Hawaiian family that included John Holi Ma’e, his wife Esther, and her mother. Holi was the lead cowboy for Kukaiau and had asked to assist in raising me after my father had saved Esther’s life a few years earlier. After she was stricken with peritonitis following the tragic loss of their newborn son, their only child, I became a sort of hanai child from that point forward. This is where horses and all things Hawaiian became a permanent part of my life.”
Reflecting on this significant milestone, Dr. Bergin expressed his heartfelt gratitude, saying, “I am especially honored to be inducted into the Paniolo Hall of Fame alongside John Holi Ma’e, a man who was not just a mentor but a second father to me. His influence on my understanding of ranching and Hawaiian culture is immeasurable. I was blessed to be born and raised by two fathers—my biological father, a plantation physician, and Holi, who shaped my understanding of ranching and Hawaiian culture.”
The profound influence of John Holi Ma’e on Dr. Bergin’s upbringing is evident in his enduring dedication to preserving and celebrating Hawaii’s paniolo culture. His career spans decades at W.H. Shipman, Kukaiau Ranch, Parker Ranch, and founded Veterinary Associates in 1980, where he has made significant contributions to Hawaii’s ranching industry and, importantly, to the preservation of Hawaiian cowboy history. His His work as a veterinarian, historian, and advocate for paniolo culture has left an indelible mark on Hawaii and its historical preservation.
Dr. Billy Bergin, a respected author of six books on Hawaiʻi history, including the acclaimed Loyal to the Land series, has significantly contributed to preserving the islands’ cultural and ranching heritage. His works are essential for anyone interested in Hawaiian history. His latest release, Loyal to the Land: Volume 4 – An Enduring Sense of Place, further enhances understanding of the deep connection between Hawaiʻi’s people and their land.
Dr. Bergin joins a distinguished class of 2024 inductees, which includes notable figures such as William “Aka” Arthur Hodgins, David Keakealani, Albert Uiha Lindsey, and Betty Jane Spence. These individuals represent a diverse cross-section of Hawaii’s ranching history and hail from ranches such as Parker Ranch, Molokai Ranch, and Ulupalakua Ranch, showcasing the inclusivity and diversity of the Paniolo Hall of Fame. Their stories and contributions enrich the tapestry of Hawaii’s ranching heritage.
The Paniolo Hall of Fame was established in 1999 to honor and preserve the stories of paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) who have kept Hawaii’s ranching traditions alive. Now celebrating its 25th year, the Hall of Fame has inducted 175 living and deceased members from all the Hawaiian Islands. Each inductee was selected carefully through a nomination process that considers their contributions to the paniolo way of life, their impact on the community, and their dedication to preserving Hawaiian cowboy history. Dr. Bergin’s induction is a testament to his significant contributions and his steadfast dedication to documenting and preserving the legacy of Hawaii’s ranching traditions.
Dr. Bergin’s induction is a testament to his enduring and significant contributions to the paniolo community and his steadfast dedication to documenting and preserving the legacy of Hawaii’s ranching traditions. His induction is a moment of honor and respect for his lifelong work.
About the Paniolo Hall of Fame:
The Paniolo Hall of Fame was initiated by the O’ahu Cattlemen’s Association in 1999 and has grown into an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Hawaii’s Paniolo heritage. The Hall of Fame celebrates the individuals and families who have made Hawaii’s ranching culture legendary through its exhibits, oral histories, and community outreach.
Inductees are celebrated through a permanent exhibit at the Paniolo Preservation Society Museum at Pukalani Stables in Waimea, portraits, biographies, and oral history interviews available via the Hawaii State Library system and various locations statewide. These projects, led by the Paniolo Hall of Fame, play a crucial role in ensuring that Hawaii’s paniolo’s rich and colorful legacy is not just remembered, but cherished and passed on to future generations, underscoring the importance of historical preservation.
