Naluahine Kaopua
Year Inducted: 2011
Thomas White Ranch | Hawai'i
Wall Ranch | Hawai'i
Born at Kahalu’u, North Kona, Naluahine Kaopua was known as the man to beat in saddle bronc contests in the early 1900’s. He was a familiar presence at such events throughout the Territory of Hawai`i. His greatest triumph occurred at Mo’ili’ili on O’ahu. He competed against all comers, including professional riders from the mainland. Naluahine’s winning ride did not end in eight seconds. Failing to unseat Naluahine, the bronc jumped over the arena fence and took off down King Street. Naluahine finally brought the animal under control at Thomas Square. For this feat he was acclaimed Mohopuni O Hawai`i Nei (Champion of Hawai’i).
Naluahine’s association with the Walls began in the 1890’s when Allen Wall was the Manager of Shipman’s meat market in Hilo. Naluahine was Allen’s contact in Kona to organize a crew to trail cattle across Ka’u to the slaughterhouse at Kea’au. As a young man, Naluahine contracted with several ranches for moving their cattle. Later he would work exclusively for Thomas White and Wall Ranch.
Naluahine was descended from bird catchers and was knowledgeable of old trails, waterholes and ahupua’a boundaries. Although illiterate, his was a superior intellect and he retained knowledge passed down in the oral tradition of traditional Hawai`i. Respected as a cultural resource, he was consulted by academics and historians of his time.
Recently at the Kona Historical Society there has cropped up new interest in Naluahine Kaopua for his cultural contributions in the last half of his life. Writings of present day Hawaiian scholars describe Naluahine as a sailor, a fisherman or a Kahuna lapa’au (medicine man). He may have been all of those things at one time or another but he was first and foremost a paniolo. He continued riding horses to help with ranch work until in his eighties. He lived to the age of 104.