Ride 'Em Cowboy

Over the Fourth of July weekend, I experienced the 55th Annual Makawao Rodeo - Hawaii's largest.  Competitors and spectators from all over the state converged at the Oskie Rice arena for 4 days of festivities.  It was my first time here, and I was surprised yet again at the diversity present on Maui.

For me, it was an eye-opener to be exposed to real Hawaiian cowboys from working ranches, such as Ulupalakua Ranch and Haleakala Ranch.  I am on Maui right?  Simply surrounded by names such as Circle (insert random letter) or the aroma of fresh farm animal manure made me realize and appreciate the Valley Isle all that much more - so much going on for a 750 square mile volcanic rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.