Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 3, 1 Malaki 2023 — Pā'ū Holo Lio: Horse Riding Tradition and Innovation [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Pā'ū Holo Lio: Horse Riding Tradition and Innovation

V LAMAKU HO'OKIPA S ^ A BEACON OF HOSPITALITY "

By Mālia Sanders The first horses were brought to Hawai'i in 1803 by an American trader as a gift for King Kamehameha I - who initally placed a kapu (restriction) on the animals. A few decades later, the kapu was lifted when horses heeame necessary for hunting wild cattle that had also been introduced in previous years. By the 1840s, horse-riding was a popular means of transportation, entertainment and recreation. Men and women of all social classes heeame skilled equestrians.

Although the art of horsemanship in Hawai'i was influenced by European tradition and paniolo (cowboy) culture, loeal style and fashion were adjusted to our islands. Unlike their European contemporaries who rode side-saddle, Hawaiian women preferred riding astride (with a leg on either side)

whieh made it easier to traverse the Hawai'i landscape. Yards of draped material fashioned into a pāu (skirt) were worn to protect their fancy Victorian-style dresses from getting soiled. The pāu was easily secured using kukui nuts twisted into the fabric and then tucked into the waistline. In the 20th century, motorized vehicles replaced horses but pāu riding continued to be carried forward as a modern Hawaiian tradition. Today the art of pāu requires a high lev-

el of skilled horsemanship and also a strong connection to Hawaiian culture. Pā'u riding pulls from other cultural artforms such as oli (chants), mele (songs), lei-making and incorporating even gestures and movements of hula. It is a spiritual experience for the riders and the many 'ohana who are involved in the preparations preceeding the hō'ike (showcase) of this artform. Pā u embodies the huina, the nexus or intersection, of modern innovation and tradition and serves not only to embrace this era of our history but also to carry aloha beyond Hawai'i, as it has been featured in other parades and equestrian events outside of Hawai'i and has had the attention of travel writers from around the world. Pā u has been memorialized in mele such as He Wahine Holo Lio, written in honor of Queen Emma, wife of King Kamemameha IV, whieh speaks of her renowned horsemanship and welltrained horse, Kīna'u. Today the art of pāu is featured as a signature aspect of floral parades in Hawai'i. It is important to understand that parades are currently the only venues where this unique artform is practiced and perpetuated. Therefore, as kānaka we also have a kuleana to continue its perpetuation, uplift our culture and provide education. The Prince Kūhiō Parade is one of the legacy parades recognized by the State of Hawai'i. This annual gathering, brought to you by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and supported by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), brings eommunity groups from across Hawai'i together to celebrate the life and legacy of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole. Mahalo nui to the pāu riders who will participate in the upcoming Prince Kūhīo Parade on March 25 in Kapolei, home to the largest concentration of Hawaiian homesteads and headquarters of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. ■ Mālia Sanders is the executive director of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA). Working to better connect the Hawaiian community to the visitor industry, NaHHA supports the people who provide authentic experiences to Hawai'i's visitors. For more information go to www.nahha.com Follow NaHHA on Paeehook, Instagram, and Twitter @nahha808 and @kuhikuhi808.

Māliū Sonders wos o pā'ū rider in the 2013 Prince Kūhiō Porade. - Photo: Angela Yamane