William Carthage Bergin
1940-
Year Inducted: 2024
Parker Ranch, Dillingham, Holualoa, Honomalino, Kukaiau, McCandless, Puuwaawaa, Shipman, Veterinary Associates, Hawaii | Hawai'i
Laupahoehoe born and raised, Dr. Billy Bergin, was destined to life as a cowboy when he first walked the shed rows of plantation horse stables as a young boy. His love for horses and the paniolo lifestyle was nurtured by his mentor, John Holi Mae, while spending time at Kukaiau Ranch on the Hamakua coast. It was in this environment that he learned to appreciate the Hawaiian culture and acquire the native language, the language of the working paniolo.
In his youth, Dr. Bergin worked for most of the major ranches on the Big Island before leaving for Kansas State University where he received bachelor’s degrees in Animal Science, Biological Science, and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine as well as a master’s degree in Reproductive Physiology. His photographic chronology of the gestation stages of the horse from conception to birth was the first of its kind.
Returning home, he established a veterinary practice in Kealakekua that grew to include North and South Kohala and Hamakua Districts. In 1981, he built the Case Memorial Veterinary Hospital in Waimea. He was lead veterinarian for the Parker Ranch for twenty-five years where he assumed responsibility for the health needs of 50,000-head of cattle and 2,000 horses. He also oversaw the herd health programs for several prominent ranches that included Dillingham, Holualoa, Honomalino, Kukaiau, McCandless, Puʻuwaʻawaʻa, Hana, and Shipman. He developed vaccination and deworming programs and preventative health protocols for branding and weaning that he supported with annual Animal Health Conferences for the cowboys. He worked closely with ranch managers to monitor and improve production benchmarks. Crediting success of these programs to the cowboys, he was inspired to establish the Paniolo Preservation Society in 1999, a non-profit entity with its mission to preserve Hawaii’s cowboy heritage.
Over the years, Dr. Bergin has held leadership roles in multiple organizations: chair of the Hawaiʻi State Board of Veterinary Examiners, Board of Directors of the Hawaiʻi Veterinary Medical Association, President of the National High School Rodeo Association, chair of the Hawaiʻi County Police Commission, and served on the University Board of Regents from 1998-2002. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.
A consummate horseman, speaker and author, Dr. Bergin has brought to life the legendary Hawaiian cowboy for all to enjoy. Committed to art in public places, he was instrumental in commissioning the services of renown sculptor Fred Fellows for the iconic statue of Ikua Purdy roping a steer and the Waiomina Boot by Patrick Ching in each of Waimea’s shopping centers.
Dr. Bergin has spent the last 20 years chronicling the history of Hawaii’s cowboys and Parker Ranch. He has released five books – Loyal to the Land, Volumes I, II. and III, Richard Smart of the Legendary Parker Ranch, and The Hawaiian Horse. Volume IV of Loyal to the Land will be released in 2024 by the University of Hawaii Press and a history of Kapapala Ranch is in the works.
Throughout his life Dr. Bergin has demonstrated a heartfelt commitment to preserving and promoting the beloved traditions of the paniolo culture.