In 1908, a Waimea parade was conducted in honor of the Hawaiian cowboys who took the top awards at the world-famous Cheyenne Rodeo in Wyoming. This was the beginning of Waimea’s paniolo parade relationship celebrating their very own cowboys. There were a few Paniolo parades that took place in 1920s and 1930s celebrating the art of pa’u riding while hosting rodeo events and concluding in a holoku ball held at Po'okanaka, Mana. Local paniolo established their own ranches in the 1940s with assistance from major ranches like Parker Ranch, while the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) also granted pastoral lots of up to 300 acres for ranching purposes. This led to an increase in kanaka (people of native Hawaiian descent) returning to Waimea to pursue ranching. This expansion not only grew the paniolo community but also established a regular paniolo parade in 1952, led by the Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders.

In the 1960’s the Waimea Civic Club led the parade and finally the Aloha Festivals in the 70’s. Interviews with many well-known Waimea elders revealed that they remembered participating in the paniolo parade during their secondary school days in the early 1950s. The Paniolo Parade has always been an integral part of the community, being held annually. In the 70’s and 80’s it concluded with a rodeo benefit hosted by Parker Ranch at the Paniolo Park (Parker Ranch Arena) and an evening steak fry honoring the cowboys hosted by the Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders and Civic Club. The entire community was involved in this tradition.

In 2018, the Paniolo Parade, organized by Aloha Festivals/Hawaii Island Festivals, took its final ride and was unable to restart after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in 2024, the Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders Association, the original organizers of the 1952 Paniolo Parade, decided to revive the event under the name Aloha Festivals Island of Hawaii.

 
The parade route: starting at Waimea Park, heading into town, turning right onto Pukalani St., then right onto Alaohia St., and concluding at the Kalani Schutte Waimea District Park in a Hoʻolauleʻa.

The parade will honor and feature Na Hulu Kupuna - Waimea’s Living Treasures, the “Paniolo Memorial Ride”- highlight past paniolo of our community, showcase the traditional Royal Court, the majestic pa’u riders portraying our beloved ali’i, and other mounted units. It will include marching units, floral floats, dignitaries, and more. This will be followed by an all-day festival at the Kalani Schutte Waimea District Park. Everyone is invited, and the parade is free for all!

At the park there will be Hawaiian entertainment, food, food trucks, drinks, crafts, arts, paniolo fair games, equestrian performances, and more. Come join us!