Frank Aola Ke, Sr.
Year Inducted: 2013
Kapapala Ranch | Hawai'i
Ka'alu'alu Ranch | Hawai'i
Keauhou Ranch | Hawai'i
Frank was born on April 26, 1925 at Nīnole, Punaluʻu in Kaʻū. He worked along side of his dad, “Pilipo Aola” Ke, learning every trade. He worked tirelessly to learn the skills of a paniolo until age 21 when he decided to join the Army in 1946. Upon return to Kaʻū, Frank was hired by Kapapala Ranch.
Frank’s work in the wild territory of Kaʻū took him from the cold mountainous hills of Keauhou Ranch to the rugged terrain of Kaʻaluʻalu Ranch. He road mauka to makai side by side with other legendary paniolo like John Piper, Leighton Beck, Tommy Kaniho, Homer Hashimoto, Tom Ito and many others.
Frank was as excellent at breaking horses and tending livestock as he was at rope and saddle making. He spent endless hours in the stable sharing his talent with other ranch ʻohana. This soon became the legacy of his lifestyle. There was a saying among those he taught, “E aʻo mai i nā mea e hoʻomaikaʻi aʻe i kaʻu hana,” in other words, teach me to do better in what I do.
Frank participated annually at the 4th of July rodeo in Nāʻālehu. He teamed with other paniolo ʻohana competing through the day and enjoying the events. He was at the rodeo when polo was introduced but with only sawed down brooms as mallets.
Frank Aola Ke Sr. lived through a whole era of ranching; he planted his manaʻo on these rugged soils of Kaʻū; saw the transformation of ranching to corporate ownership; and always enjoyed the friendship of other paniolo until his passing in 1981.