William T. White
2026
Ranch Name | Hawai'i
William T. White grew up on a family ranch in Southern California. His family also owned a ranch in Montana. The two ranches ran about 10,000 mother cows. Bill worked on both ranches with the cowboy and fence crews. After college and service as a Navy SEAL, he pursued his interest in ranching and rodeo.
Bill’s mother had cousins in Hawaiʻi, so they would visit often in the 1950’s and 1960’s and become friends with his cousin Kenny Dillingham. They toured the Dillingham Ranch in Mokulēʻia, and later Kenny became manager of that ranch.
In 1978, Bill’s lifelong dream came true when he bought land in Waimea, named it Hale Kea Farms, and moved his family over in 1980. He started ranching and helped at other ranches like Parker, Kūkaiʻau, and Puʻuwaʻawaʻa. He later expanded into more grazing land both fee simple and leasehold. Due to his love of all roping events, he first purchased Longhorn cattle. Up until then, all beef cattle were polled for shipping purposes. His horn cattle gave cowboys and cowgirls a future in the competitive sports of rodeo. When it was allowed to crossbreed cattle from Mexico with cattle characteristic of the United States, Bill invested in Corriente cattle and grew his roping herd to about 250 head along with increasing his beef herd (Black angus) to about 1,750 Angus cows via more pasture leases.
For over 20 years, Bill hosted the USTRC Qualifiers (United States Team roping Championships). This event gathered ropers from all over the world including World Champion Team Ropers. This made a statement to the horse/cattle world that yes, we have cattle ranches and horses in Hawaiʻi and know about living the paniolo lifestyle.
In the mid-1990’s, Hawaiʻi's paniolo were introduced to the prestigious National Finals Rodeo. Bill along with Yvonne Kainoa arranged and coordinated a group of riders from Hawaiʻi to represent our paniolo history in the Grand Entry.
In 1988, Bill, along with Dr. Billy Bergin, created Keiki and High School Rodeo programs on a national basis that are thriving today. That was 37 years ago.
Upon retiring from ranching, Bill donated his entire roping herd to the Hawaiʻi High School Rodeo Association.
Bill is a co-founder and past president of Paniolo Preservation Society. It was through Bill’s efforts that Fred Fellows, renowned cowboy artist, agreed to create the large Ikua Purdy bronze statue which stands tall in the heart of Waimea today.
Bill currently serves as treasurer on the Paniolo Preservation Society board and continues to be an avid supporter of the preservation of the “Paniolo”.