Ikua Purdy was born in 1873 at Waimea, Hawaii. He was a descendent of John Palmer Parker and Kipikane (granddaughter of King Kamehameha The Great). Purdy grew up on the Parker Ranch learning to rope and ride. Many considered him a “master of the rope” by age 20. He began competing in roping events against other paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys) on the Big Island, Oahu, and Maui. In 1903, the first publicized competition was held in Honolulu. In 1908, Purdy and other paniolos traveled to Cheyenne, Wyoming to compete at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. Their attire drew a lot of attention with slouched hats, colorful hat bands, bright clothes, and saddles. You could see the blending of Hawaiian and vaquero traditions. Purdy went on to win the event. He tied his steer in a record-breaking 56 seconds flat! Purdy and the other paniolos returned to Hawaii. Purdy worked for the next 30 years on Maui’s Ulupalakua Ranch as the foreman. Ikua Purdy was inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of ...