Hawaii being my home, I can’t help but include some Hawaii ‘horse and Cowboy‘ culture here on Horsealicious. My father was born and raised in Hawaii, but I don’t think he ever rode a horse; however, he loved ‘riding the water’ in a sailboat!

Hawaiian women have always loved horses and horseback riding; however, they did not want to ride side-saddle, in spite of the early missionaries.  Thus, they modestly hiked up their skirts to ride through the country, eventually decorating themselves and their horses in beautiful flower blossoms strung or woven into lei for special occasions.

Read a little pa’u history from the Big Island of Hawaii here.  (Photo on right courtesy Aukipa Hawaiian Images.)

Maybe when my cousin, Judy Henderson, in Hilo sees these photos she will send me some photos of her granddaughter, Dember, who is a beautiful pa’u rider. I would love to post some family pictures here [Judy!].

And YES, Hawaii has Cowboys (known as paniolos). More on them later.

Visit Cowboys of Hawaii.