ARTHUR A. LORENZO  
Ka’alu’alu Ranch, Double II Ranch,  
Pu’u O’o Ranch, Eli-Aka Ranch, Hawai’i  

Arthur was born to Antone and Minnie Lorenzo on July 3, 1931, in Wai’ohinu, Hawai’i.  Like his father before him, ranching has always been a part of his life. He started working for Ka’alu’alu Ranch at the age of sixteen, then Double II Ranch, owned and operated by Tommy Ishimaru, and later for Pu’u O’o Ranch owned by Herbert W. Shipman, under foreman Thomas Lindsey.  While working at Pu’u O’o ranch he roped and trapped wild cattle (ahi’u).   He was involved in branding cattle, training horses and all the usual ranch chores.

With his wife, K. Elizabeth Lorenzo, he founded Eli-Aka Ranch in 1975, raising cattle for home use as well as outside sales.  Along with raising five children and working and running a ranch, he competed in rodeos and rode in several parades on the Big Island and encouraged his family to participate with him.  He rode in the many Big Island rodeos with the well-known paniolo of the day. 

Arthur took great pride in the care of his saddle tack and gear.  When something broke on the saddle you didn’t buy a new one.  You fixed it.  In those days a paniolo owned one saddle and that was used for ranch work, rodeos and parades.  Before developing his own skills, Arthur’s awe awe were made by Yama, a man in Waimea, but by watching and asking questions he learned how to make them himself.  He created a design for the saddle tree, using wood such as guava, hau and pine.  He sent his design to a saddle making company in Colorado and they fabricated a pattern out of kilgo wood (similar to guava).  He holds a patent in his name for this particular design.  Lorenzo has made saddles for several paniolo and gives classes on saddle making to anyone wanting to learn this dying craft, free of charge.  He teaches braiding the awe awe, stenciling the design on the leather to cover and complete the saddle.  His saddle making skills earned him a front-page article in the Hawai’i Tribune Herald, and an article in the American Quarter Horse Journal about his perpetuation of this Hawaiian folk art.  Arthur is 77 years old and still making saddles and teaching the saddle making art.  He is still roping and riding, and going strong. 

 Photos by Robert Gonzalez