The Paniola | A Short Film on Ranching Life in Hawaii

[@hnttakata713]

I live in Waimea and appreciate the quiet humility and integrity,honor of this beautiful woman. My own father was pure Hawaiian, I am Hana’s.mahalo Fisheye.

[@joshfair]

Mahalo for watching and blessings to your ohana

[@kahekilikahahawai586]

Doubt your father was pure

[@shaggybreeks]

"The birth of the cattle industry west of the Rockies was right here. Right on this parcel". In fact, their way of life is quite a bit different from their pioneer ancestors. The amazing thing is how the family managed to adapt to so many changes over the generations, and still preserve the Life of the Land in righteousness. No better life can be had at any price. Persistence in caring for the land that gives you life. It's a no-brainer, dude!

[@joshfair]

Couldn’t agree more. Thank you for checking out the film!

[@michaelthomas366]

The little known history of Hawaiian cowboys and their way of life is truly a fascinating subject.

[@joshfair]

It truly is. Thank you for watching, Michael!

[@michaelthomas366]

@@joshfair With pleasure.

[@karaevans6215]

I absolutely love the Big Island. Paniolo life is so unique and special.

[@joshfair]

I'm with you. It's raw, alive, full of life...One of a kind.

[@jaypay8954]

*History of the Paniola/Hawaiin Cowboy* To control the booming cattle population, King Kamehameha III appointed Richard Charlton as the Kingdom’s first consul in 1825. Charlton introduced the idea of hiring Mexican vaqueros (cowboys) to help manage the wild cattle. These skilled horsemen brought their knowledge of cattle ranching, roping, and riding to the islands, significantly influencing the birth of the Paniolo tradition. The Mexican vaqueros played a crucial role in teaching Hawaiians the art of cattle ranching. They introduced lariats, saddles, and other essential tools and techniques for handling cattle. The Hawaiians, in turn, adapted these methods to suit their unique environment and needs. This cultural exchange laid the foundation for what would become the Paniolo way of life. The distinctive attire of the Paniolo also evolved to suit the Hawaiian climate and ranching conditions. While they retained elements of the vaquero style, such as wide-brimmed hats and leather boots, Paniolo attire incorporated lighter fabrics and colorful prints, reflecting the influence of Hawaiian culture. This fusion of styles resulted in a distinctive cowboy look that is still celebrated today.

[@shimaohana]

Mahalo Nui Loa for sharing this awesome video. So well presented. I’m from the Big Island of Hawai’i. I grew up in Waimea, but also have lived in Kona. I grew up knowing many paniolos and I’m an avid rider myself. My husband’s GGG grandfather was a famous paniolo at the Parker Ranch and is in the Hall of Fame in Waimea (Kamuela). There are so many wonderful stories to tell of this rich culture in Hawai’i. Barbara Nobriga and her ohana are legendary.

[@joshfair]

So wonderful! What a wonderful place to grow up. It is amazing how I was led to find Barbara and her story. It unlocked everything that the film became. Mahalo for watching!

[@Alohabutterfly]

What a beautiful documentary of Mrs. Nobriga. I am blessed to have taken lessons from her as a child, and now my daughter is learning from her too.

[@joshfair]

What a beautiful story to share. Mahalo!

[@konakindaguy]

Mahalo for sharing this. Ranch life is good for the soul!

[@joshfair]

I wish I could experience this life on a daily basis. Couldn't agree more!

[@hilokane]

Grew up in Hawaii..born and raise in Pahala, Kau.. Kapapala, on the slopes of Mauna Loa.. Very familiar with all the Ranges on the Big Island..🤙🥰

[@leanneadams2549]

Now that’s what I call riding and ranching at it’s very best !! Those kids have no idea how lucky they are to have a teacher and a culture like that !!!! Truly amazing and beautiful and I’d rather ride than go to an overcrowded beach ANY day !!! ❤️🐴

[@joshfair]

Amen to that! :) Thank you for watching

[@LuluJinx1111]

Wonderful video. Barbara is tough as nails with a big kind heart. I truly admire her.

[@CharlesAJazz]

Thank you Barbara, you taught me (and many others) well!

[@joshfair]

How cool, Charles! Thank you for watching.

[@RichardPuou]

Mahalo Barbara for giving the kids a chance to be a part of your life and dream that gives them the opportunity to taste that life and possibly make one for them that's related. God bless.

[@joshfair]

So true. Kids finding their dreams through Barbara is inspiring!

[@arthurl2045]

Mahalo nui. This has deepened my appreciation of the legacy of paniola and paniolo. Love the kihoalu music, also a legacy and future for Hawaiian music and culture.

[@joshfair]

Mahalo for the kind words. Understanding this aspect of Hawaiian culture is quite fascinating and brings more appreciation to it.

[@joaniewynn3825]

This is a wonderful film. Thank you.

[@patrickarmstrong1505]

Great video. Thank you Nobriga family for sharing, not just the video, but the life lessons to future generations. Those children are learning a priceless lesson in self/culture preservation.

[@joshfair]

Mahalo for the kind words. I appreciate you watching. Please share!

[@WaenaWorksKauaiStory]

Mahalo for sharing. I love hearing the story of people who work hard for perpetuating culture to the next generation. Aloha.

[@joshfair]

Mahalo for taking the time to watch. Barbara's family are blessed and will hopefully pass along to their children for generations to come. Aloha.

[@WestHawaiiRealEstate]

Absolutely the most knowledgeable person on this in Hawaii, love the Nobriga family ❤️. Honored to know them

[@joshfair]

Mahalo for watching :-) What a blessing it must be to know her!

[@fredader8272]

So beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@joshfair]

Mahalo! Appreciate you watching and sharing.

[@eightof1975]

Excellent short film!

[@joshfair]

Mahalo, Martin! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@RichardPuou]

Awesome Babara. Thank you for sharing.

[@joshfair]

Mahalo for watching! Barbara is a Hawaiian treasure. 🤙🏼

[@jenniferfrey7729]

This touches my heart....

[@joshfair]

Aw, mahalo nui loa! Thank you for watching! It was a passion piece. Glad you enjoyed!

[@angelineacain7060]

Great film!

[@joshfair]

Mahalo nui loa!

[@bangfamilee9315]

Amazing clip!! Glad to hear there are 3 more generations to continue their legacy and praying for more thereafter :D

[@joshfair]

Thank you Bangs for watching :)

[@deanfirnatine7814]

God bless her, I pray that way of life never goes away

[@joshfair]

In many ways, it never will.

[@dastatroof]

Wow, such a beautiful living legacy!

[@odettagonzalez4355]

Very impressive documentary! I’m loving this ❤❤Generation to generation thanks for sharing🤙🏽🏆👋🏻Blessings to you and your Ohana sending love from Waimea😘

[@joshfair]

Mahalo for watching and for the kind words!

[@sungarden4789]

Beautiful and Inspiring

[@joshfair]

Mahalo for watching! Barbara is an inspiration, indeed. :-)

[@anthonyemmm]

What a beautiful story and family. This is another side of Hawaii that people don’t know exists. Barbara is a true Hawaiian. Continuing on the legacy bestowed upon her and passing it down to future generations.

[@joshfair]

Mahalo, Anthony, I appreciate your kind and thoughtful words about Barbara and the Hawaiian culture. I'm hopeful that she will be passing along to her children and grandchildren, as they were raised well.

[@truhawaii5957]

True Hawaiian? The cattle industry was a plague on historical sites, forest and the Hawaiian people.

[@kahekilikahahawai586]

She’s not Hawaiian 😂

[@kahekilikahahawai586]

@@joshfairwhy are you white washing my people? Barbara is not kanaka Maoli. She’s a white woman who’s lived in Waimea for 30 years. She doesn’t have the koko(blood)

[@anthonyemmm]

@@kahekilikahahawai586 What constitutes being Hawaiian?

[@gerardmahi8806]

Great job on the video! My wife is a member of the family, and take their kuleana of the lands as an important service.

[@joshfair]

Mahalo Gerard! It is very important and we admire all your family.

[@PoiDog2266]

LOVE HER!❤

[@dat2352]

This is a beautiful story and I pray they will perpetuate the culture.

[@joshfair]

Me too, Denise. Please share with everyone so that it can. Mahalo for watching!

[@alexcarter8807]

Because nothing says love for the land like grazing/overgrazing and killing off the native species.

[@lalaloopsii808]

I ride with them and they’re still going on! I help with the kids every saturdays.

[@whoodatt3046]

Just learned about how Mexico sent cowboys to Hawaii to teach them how to round up ca

[@joshfair]

Cool! Quite the history with the Mexican culture and cowboys also.

[@it-sempit404]

Facts

[@kerricorser4562]

Aloha nui! ❤❤❤ i miss my life there.

[@joshfair]

Nothing like it!

[@KaioniMae]

❤️❤️❤️

[@joshfair]

Mahalo for watching!

[@jeffreysumaylo3075]

You have to love her

[@joshfair]

Like your own grandma

[@sunnysavage]

beautiful

[@joshfair]

Mahalo, Sunny! 🤙🏼

[@steveelliott3109]

VERY NICE

[@joshfair]

Mahalo!

[@rubengonzalez750]

Paniolos are our Mexican heritage brothers in Hawaii……

[@joshfair]

They are, amigo. Pretty cool! In fact, the title comes from the original Spanish derivative.

[@davidfurino2987]

Wow she is n good shape,aloha from Kauai.

[@joshfair]

That's what a great diet and exercise will do for you. Thank you for watching.

[@harrypolinar7991]

Angels amen aloha

[@hjmofo]

🙌🍻

[@joshfair]

Mahalo for watching :)

[@terrycollins4128]

My father-in-law worked Parker Ranch, we have his Hawaiian tree saddle

[@joshfair]

How cool! Barbara is very proud of the Hawaiian saddle. I can see why.

[@lauriestephens98]

Ono!

[@reginagibson3847]

Pretty amazing woman

[@ganzzzzz]

Aunty Barbara

[@joshfair]

🫶🏼

[@danceace]

Have you entered your film into the Tryon International Film Festival. I can provide more details if you are interested.

[@andrewblack7852]

Most of the cowboys don’t have horse anymo. 4 wheels are popular, dogs help a lot. We are the life here. Cow pie and crops growing. It’s funny but most malahinis never touch the culture and lifestyle.

[@gabiet.]

How come they ain’t say anything about how the king at that time that was gifted some cattle and was messing up its eco system or whatever I’m not too educated on that and that had got outta control and called on Mexico to send vaqueros to show them the way ….

[@jesusvargas8239]

That is the real story. it was Mexican vaqueros that king Kamehameha called upon for help. Spain is the origin of the Cowboy culture and perfected by Mexican people. I did not see a single "paniolo" in the film. just anglos and Native Hawaiians.

[@LAUS-DEO-HAWAII]

DONT CELEBRATE HAWAII TOO MUCH!!!! I HAVE LIVED HERE IN WAIMEA, BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII NOW FOR 15 YEARS. YES, PARKER RANCH OWNS ALL THESE THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF LAND ALONG WITH MANY OTHER RANCHES. ALL THIS WHILE THE POOR HAWAIIANS ARE HOMELESS OR POOR. I HAVE TRAVELED THE WHOLE WORLD AND HAWAII IS THE MOST HATEFUL PLACE I HAVE EVER BEEN.

[@joshfair]

Sorry for your experience. As a haole that grew up in the midwest and lived in Hawaii for 10 years, I can understand that perspective. The best we can ever do is be the best we can and hope others can feel the warmth of our love.

[@fklee100]

Its paniolo not paniola

[@brandonrapanot-hadley4185]

It’s paniolo 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@joshfair]

Yes, we know. Read the description of the film for the full reasoning behind naming it.

[@kahekilikahahawai586]

@@joshfairyour prob white

[@PoiDog2266]

WTH is a Paniola????

[@joshfair]

See description in title :)

[@PoiDog2266]

@@joshfair Paniolo is a Hawaiian word (admittedly possibly based on a Spanish one) but still the Hawaiian word used for cowboy. We don't change last letter to make it feminine in olelo Wonderful short doc on a wonderful woman...but been watching so many youtube docs on well intentioned Hawaiian topics today...where easy to check facts are skewed (eg...wrong portrait of wrong king etc) and the language and pronunciation is irresponsibly mutilated....I guess I just snapped. This is a great doc of a deserving person...and maybe it's an inside, personalized nickname what have you...but again. ...not an actual Hawaiian word. The females in our family do rodeo..and never heard it before by anyone. Also we don't add an s to make a Hawaiian word plural. Na Paniolo not "paniolos" I know I know...too technical...but bringing back Hawaiian language and culture has been such a long hard struggle...it makes no sense to not do it properly.

[@joshfair]

@@PoiDog2266 Understood. It's not grammatically correct, but a nod to the Spaniards of which the name was originally conceived, as well as an emphasis that she is not the expected male, but female, who is a master of this craft. (link in description)

[@alexcarter8807]

Only mainlanders from the Midwest could call them "paniolas" the actual word is paniolo. A woman paniolo would be a paniola I guess, but if you go around called paniolos "paniolas" you'd better also say "vidya games" and go to "taca bell".

[@joshfair]

In actuality, there was inspiration behind the title. The word paniola came from the Hawaiian translation of the Spanish word espaniola. Over time, it was changed to paniolo and used to explain both cowboys and cowgirls, but in the article that I linked in description, locals used both versions of the word given their affinities. The creative aspect of changing the name paniolo, to its root female version, isn’t exaggerated at all. It’s a nod to the Spanish culture. Hopefully, that clarifies my thinking behind it for you. Thank you for checking it out.

[@jaypay8954]

@@joshfair FYI Its actually Mexican culture not Spanish culture. People make that mistake all the time 🙂

[@joshfair]

@@jaypay8954 You're correct! I was referring to where the word derives, but failed to mention it was in Mexico that they came from. And their saddles were Barbara's favorite. :)

[@jaypay8954]

@@joshfair Interesting story about the Mexican saddles also known as the Western saddle. Is that originally when Mexico was conquered by Spain the indigenous people and biracial Spanish/indigenous Mexicans were prohibited from using a Spanish saddle due the caste system. So they Mestizo/Indigenous people created their own version of the saddle and added a horn to the saddle and the modifications since they were always doing labor with herding. So the saddle was their ingenuity and usefulness in the day to day life of their daily work on the Haciendas, in English it would be similar I believe to plantations. The riata/lazo (lariat/lasso) was also an invention invented in Mexico by the original Vaqueros. Its amazing the history of the Vaquero (cowboys) and how all that was created due to necessity and ingenuity of the terrain/climate in Mexico for the everyday working persons job could be made easier.

[@joshfair]

@@jaypay8954 Great insights. It truly is remarkable what people will do to survive, and how when you have more singular focus, you can accomplish so much. We have it so easy to just a couple generations ago because of their hard work. Let's hope we continue to be strong leaders in our fields so we don't let our ancestors down.

[@heavenlyhula8086]

❤❤❤