Donald George "Donnie" DeSilva
Year Inducted: 2011
Parker Ranch | Hawai'i
Donnie DeSilva was born and raised in the Hāmākua District on the Big Island of Hawai’i. Donnie’s family was well known in the cattle industry and his affinity for the famed Parker Ranch began at a young age as he and his family would spend weekends visiting their friends who lived and worked at the Ranch.
By the time Donnie graduated from high school in 1958, it was clear that his career path would lead to Parker Ranch. Just a month after graduation, Donnie was hired on as a ranch hand at the old dairy at Paliho’oūkapapa under the mentorship of family friends—the Nakata brothers.
Six years into his career at Parker Ranch, Donnie decided to leave and try his hand at the thriving hotel/golf course construction industry and then on to conditioning horses at California racetracks under the guidance of some of the best trainers in the industry.
However, the lure of Parker Ranch was very strong and in less than a year, Donnie was offered a prize position on the Parker Ranch cowboy gang. The work was hard but Donnie was a good student and learned even more about animal husbandry and all phases of ranch work under fine teachers like Yutaka Kimura and his son, Charlie. Donnie is credited with making significant contributions to the Ranch in the areas of horse identification, string accountability, equine health, breeding, nutrition and reproduction. A good and fair leader for the young roughnecks of the breaking pen, he taught many young men who have since gone on to become leaders in the ranching industry.
Never one to sit idle, Donnie also quickly became recognized for not only his skilled horsemanship, but also his beautiful artistry in spur making and leatherwork. At the 2009 Paniolo Artisans Showcase, he was named a Master Saddler, and continues this tradition by passing his skills on to his sons, grandsons, and many others.
Of all his accomplishments in his 37 years at Parker Ranch, he is best known as the foreman of the famed “Roughriders” of Parker Ranch. Skilled horseman that he was, Donnie was responsible for the horse department for 20 plus years. Donnie and his staff handled the young foals and green broke the two and three year olds before turning them over to the cowboys for the final stage of training. Because of the skills of people like Donnie DeSilva, Parker Ranch is still known today for the excellent quality of its horses.
Donnie resides in Hāmākua with his wife Paula, and enjoys spending time with his three children and eight grandchildren. He is a founding director of the Paniolo Preservation Society formed in 1998, and continues his saddle making.