Keiki from around the island participated in the Hawaii Youth Rodeo Ohana, or HYRO, in Honokaa on Saturday.
Youths in preschool to fifth grade competed in rodeo events like breakaway, pole bending and dummy roping in front of friends and family at the Rose Andrade Correia Rodeo Arena.
Medical social worker Luana Keakealani and educator Lynn Higa cofounded HYRO during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to give keiki and their families an outdoor outlet to help with mental and physical health.
“We started HYRO as a way to keep being outdoors while allowing a space for families to gather together and engage in activities,” Keakealani said. “HYRO gives people who love the outdoors an outlet that can help address issues we see in youth, like depression and anxiety.”
HYRO also makes it a point to create opportunities for keiki to learn in a physical way that’s also culturally informed.
“We put an emphasis on education, because we recognize that not all learning can happen within four walls,” Keakealani said. “There are so many educational avenues for kids through rodeo. You can learn with a horse, learn with each other and learn on your own.”
After spending years away from rodeo activities, Kapua Ucker decided to enroll her two sons, Kamaki and Keneke, into HYRO to participate in the rodeo for the first time.
“This has been so good for them, and to see them participate in things I used to do is really exciting as a parent,” Ucker said. “Even though they are new, they love it. They have a chance to socialize, meet friends and build their character. It’s been a great learning opportunity.”
Ucker was also excited that HYRO was open to newcomers and very inclusive to people wanting to try rodeo. On Saturday, she was able to watch her kids barrel race, dummy rope and pole bend.
“All children are welcome. There aren’t parameters that make it exclusive to some children. We tell families to please come, even without a horse,” Keakealani said. “You can learn to handle goats, cheer on others, be part of the production or learn sports photography. There are so many different arenas to get involved in.”
Some keiki have been doing rodeo their whole lives and look forward to coming back to the arena with their horses for competition and fun.
Charlee Kamakawaiwoole, 10, got on a horse for the first time as a 1-year-old and has been riding and competing ever since.
“When I think about rodeo, I think about how I’m born to do it,” Kamakawaiwoole said. “I get a good feeling at the rodeo and I love to ride my horse as fast as I can.”
Her close friends and family Anaiah Souza, 10, and Hoakea Kaaekuahiwi, 10, agreed that going fast on their horses is one of the best parts of the rodeo.
“I also like coming here to hang out with friends,” Souza said.
“Yeah, we don’t go to the same school so it’s fun coming to the rodeo to be with them and ride our horses,” Kaaekuahiwi said.
The girls plan to keep doing rodeo together as long as they can, and maybe even attend the same college in the future.
Those interested in learning more about youth rodeo, joining HYRO or donating can do so by emailing hawaiiyouthrodeoohana@gmail.com.
While there is a charge for participating in the rodeo, the educational workshops are free since HYRO is funded by contributions from the community. Workshops take place after the rodeo events.
The next youth rodeo will be on Saturday, Nov. 19, which will feature an educational piece on paniolo lifestyle.
Every Sunday after each rodeo, veteran rodeo keiki can pair up with rookies to help them learn through experience from a peer.
“Oftentimes sports can be exclusive, and we want to change that narrative,” Keakealani said. “We are a rodeo, but with an emphasis on learning from the sport, learning from each other and really just finding place to elevate yourself and your family. That’s why the O is for Ohana.”
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com