Paul Hiwahiwa Kealoha, Sr.
Year Inducted: 2013
Kuka'iau Ranch | Hawai'i
Paul Kealoha often said, “I was born on a horse, I’m gonna die on a horse,” Maraea Wela Kealoha, Paul’s mother, liked to recounted her rides from Kukaʻiau Ranch to Paʻauilo Hospital to have her babies, in this case, her hiapo or first-born child. Thus began his lifetime love for the lio (horse).
Paul Kealoha began his cowboy life riding ranch colts on Kukaʻian ranch where he was raised. One day his father, Samuel Kealoha, injured his knee after a “buck off.” Paul, at twelve years old, was ordered on the horse to “buck out” the horse in place of his father. This harsh lifestyle was considered the norm back then, and nostalgically discussed over beer and pupu. He would often share stories about how the cowboys shared their kiniʻai (lunch pail) with each other. His contained a ball of thick poi wrapped in cheesecloth and some type of main dish like dried beef or canned sardines. He reported that all present would lay down their mea ‘ai (food) in the middle of their lunch spot where ever their work took them on that particular day.
Paul recalls that he got tired of working under the watchful eye of his father. So he went willingly when he was called to serve his country during WWII. Before he left, Paul married Clara Silva. They remained married for the next fifty years and produced five children.
Upon his return from service, Paul Kealoha once again returned to being a cowboy for Kukaʻiau Ranch. As the years passed, hard work and dedication eventually paid off, Paul was promoted to Ranch Foreman. He stayed in this position until 1974 when he left Kukaʻiau Ranch.
Paul and Clara Kealoha moved their family to Honokaʻa town where they already owned a family home. In 1978, he was finally awarded a 125-acre Hawaiian Homestead parcel in Puʻukapu, Waimea after waiting for 23 years.
His paniolo identity came with a particular attention to detail. His horses were always brushed and clean, his saddle and tack kept in the same assigned place consistently, his tools and ranch equipment were dutifully put away in the same place daily, and as he predicted and planned, these cherished tools and equipment lasted his lifetime.
Paul Kealoha worked as a cowboy until the day he passed away. On his deathbed in 2003, Paul Kealoha called out the names of each of the cowboys and companions he rode with on Kukaʻiau Ranch, he finally shouted, “OPEN DA GATE!” We are certain that they did exactly as he requested and there is a paniolo section of heaven where they fondly recall their unique paniolo lifestyle.