Paniolo - a term for cowboy - is derived from espanol, referring to the Spanish-Mexican vaqueros brought to the islands in the 1830s to teach Hawaiians how to manage wild cattle. One popular but unverified theory credits these vaqueros for introducing the guitar to Hawaii.

As the increasing pressures of modern society began to impact ranching communities across the state, a two-year project was launched in 1985 to document the musical traditions and artistic expressions of the paniolo lifestyle. These songs are selections from many field and studio recordings collected by the Folk Art Program of the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts during this period. In order to retain the heartfelt, honest quality of the music, the original recordings have been reproduced here without any additional processing or editing.

FEATURING...

CLYDE "KINDY" SPROAT from the island of Hawaii

KUULEI'S OWN from the island of Maui

PEPPIE AND GIPPIE COOKE from the island of Molokai

BILL KAIWA from the island of Oahu

NA MOLOKAMA O HANALEI from the island of Kauai

Includes two audio cds and a 48 page booklet with artist profiles and song translations. Produced by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture & the Arts, documenting the oral traditions of the Hawaiian Cowboys. Package 7.5 x 5.5 in.