Honoka‘a Western Week is back full force after a three-year pandemic pause. Riding into town May 19-29, the ten-day event series celebrates the community’s paniolo heritage with a roundup of friendly competition, ‘ono food, music, dancing, storytelling, keiki games, and Hāmākua’s special breed of cowboy culture. Grand Marshalls this year are long-time Hāmākua and paniolo people, Waltham and Bernadette Johansen.
On Saturday, May 20, Mamane Street closes 2-11 p.m. for the much-anticipated Western Week Parade and Block Party. Thousands of folks mosey into town from near and far to enjoy the colorful cowboy parade, Saloon Girls and Cowboys Got Talent Contest, along with food trucks, vendor booths, and boot-stompin’ music by the Saddle Road Band.
Another event that folks are hungry for, the Portuguese Bean Soup Contest returns on Tuesday, May 23, at Ahualoa Family Farms Mac Nut Factory. New this year, the Smoke Meat Contest challenges one and all to put their recipes to the test in a friendly, and tasty, competition. Prizes will be awarded in a number of categories, and guests will get the opportunity to sample some family recipes from our historic town. To enter, see below.
The HWW crew is very excited to again have its Silent Auction as a virtual online event, from May 19-29. Over the last three years, the Silent Auction has been the most successful fundraiser, which helps connect the island community of today with its agricultural and paniolo roots, and to support scholarships for local youth.
The bidding site will open Friday, May 19 at 7 p.m. and close May 29 at 7 p.m. Individuals, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate in the success of this year’s Silent Auction with a donated item or service. Please contact Myrna Green at (808) 960-0366 for more information. All donations of any size or value are greatly appreciated.
Except for a nominal charge for rodeo admission, events are free, and everyone is encouraged to join in the fun. Collectible HWW buttons will be available to purchase for $5 as a show of support, as well as “insurance.” Although buttons are not required for admission, attendees receive fair warning that those without buttons at the Block Party risk being thrown into the hoosegow by roving sheriffs. (All in good fun).
Honoka‘a Western Week is a volunteer-driven project supported by the Honoka‘a Business Association, Hāmākua Kohala Health, and many other sponsors and supporters celebrating Hāmākua’s paniolo heritage and unique cultural blend. At this time the HWW crew is actively recruiting:
- Western Week Parade Entries. Contact Kai Carvalho (808) 640-6095, or email honokaawesternweekparade@gmail.com.
- Saloon Girls and Cowboys Got Talent hopefuls. Please contact HWWTalent@Gmail.com, or apply online at https://bit.ly/sgcgt23_app
- Volunteers and Vendors for the Block Party. Email Ta’sa McDonald, tmhonokaa@gmail.com.
- Contestants for Portuguese Beach Soup/Smoke Meat Contest. Email Mallion, portuguesebeansoup@gmail.com, or apply online at bit.ly/3K5196F.
- Vendors and volunteers for Hāmākua Harvest Farm Festival, Email Tanner Keys, info@hamakuaharvest.org.
- Silent Auction items. Contact Myrna Green at (808) 960-0366, or myrnagreen@hawaii.rr.com.
- All other volunteers or donors, please contact honokaabiz@gmail.com
Of course monetary support is more than welcome! Checks payable to “Honokaʻa Business Association” can be sent to P.O. Box 474, Honokaʻa HI 96727, attention: Honoka‘a Western Week. For more information and entry forms for all events, follow Honoka‘a Western Week on Facebook or visit www.honokaawesternweek.org (Updates coming soon!)
Schedule of Events
Friday, May 19
5 p.m., Cowboy Movies, and 7-9 p.m., Line Dancing at Honokaʻa Peoples’ Theatre
Saturday, May 20
- 2-11 p.m. Road Closure for Western Week Festivities. Plan ahead!
- 4-5 p.m. Western Week Parade. For more information, please call Kai Carvalho (808) 640-6095, or email honokaawesternweekparade@gmail.com.
- 3-10 p.m. Block Party. A cowboy culture celebration, with food trucks, vendor booths, and dancing in the street to the music of the Saddle Road Band.
- 6 p.m., Saloon Girls & Cowboys Got Talent Contest. Contestants vie for cash prizes and bragging rights, when they release their inter superstar and share it with the crowd. All kinds of talents welcome—from aerial silks and acrobatics to zookeepers and Zydeco. Entry forms available online: https://bit.ly/sgcgt23_app
Sunday, May 21, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Hāmākua Harvest Farm Festival – Canoe Crops. Because you gotta feed the community and the ʻāina too, agriculture is an essential partner for Western Week. This year, Hāmākua Harvest’s Farm Festival celebrates Canoe Crops: ʻulu, ʻuala, kalo, mai‘a, and niu. Starting with a Hawaiian blessing and hula, then continuing with all day entertainment, canoe crop education, and fresh, local-raised food to take home and fix—or eat on the spot. For more information, contact info@hamakuaharvest.org.
Monday, May 22, 5:30 p.m.
Cowboy Talk Story at Honoka‘a Heritage Center. Join us under the eaves in front of the
Bothelo Building at 5:30 to meet the paniolo after they have recorded a talk story session about
famous and infamous horses. Learn about the special love-hate relationships that grow
between two- and four-legged friends. Hosted by Sheriff Larry Ignacio, who will be joined by
horsewhisperers and veteran veterinarian.
Tuesday, May 23, 5-7 p.m.
Portuguese Bean Soup & Smoke Meat Contest, at the Ahualoa Family Farms Mac Nut Factory. For online entry forms, go to: bit.ly/3K5196F
Or email: portuguesebeansoup@gmail.com, or call/text Mallion: (808) 765 9373.
Wednesday, May 24, 4-5:30 p.m.
Hawaii Saddle Club Keiki Roundup, at the Rose Andrade Correia Arena. Branding Demo, Pin the Brand on the Cow, Horseshoes, Cowboy Cornhole, Rope ‘um, and Pony Rides, and a grand finale Boot Scramble. Keiki are encouraged to wear their cowboy boots and bring an extra pair of junk socks for the Boot Scramble. Prizes will be given to the winners. (Mahalo to Hawai’i Youth Rodeo ‘Ohana and the 4-H Equine Group for their help with the Roundup). For more information, email Johnalyn, johnalyn808@yahoo.com.
Thursday, May 25
4 p.m. Paniolo Storytime for keiki at 4 pm: We’ll read a few fun cowboy tales, make a craft, and do a library scavenger hunt.
5 p.m. Origins of Ranching and Sugar in Hawaii. Boyd Bond, historian from North Kohala, will join us to discuss the history of land use patterns in Hawaii, and their various political implications over time. Boyd is an engaging speaker with an encyclopedic knowledge of Hawaiian history.
Friday, May 26, Time 5 p.m.
Hootenanny at Honoka‘a Country Market. Food, drinks and fun for all ages.
Saturday, May 27
Saturday Slack, rodeo events at the Rose Andrade-Correia Stadium
Sunday-Monday, May 28-29
Annual Hawai‘i Saddle Club Scholarship Rodeo, at the Rose Andrade-Correia Stadium, noon till pau. Saturday is “slack”, the qualifying events, and the finals begin at noon on Sunday and Monday. Tickets available from Rodeo Queen contestants or at the gate.