Uncategorized | December 13, 2007
In 1908, the Cheyenne Daily Leader announced the pending arrival of future CFD Hall of Fame inductee Ikua Purdy and a group of Hawaiian cowboys (Paniolos) to compete at Cheyenne Frontier Days. 100 years later, the City of Cheyenne and the City of Waimea, Hawaii, have established a sister city bond. This partnership will be celebrated through a new exhibit at the museum commemorating the day that champion roper of the Hawaiian Islands, Ikua Purdy, secured the 1908 title of World Champion Steer Roper at Cheyenne Frontier Days. Ikua’s victory in Cheyenne is memorialized in a Hawaiian folk song (see below). In Waimea, there is a sculpture dedicated to Purdy. A smaller version of this bronze will donated to the CFD Museum by the Paniolo Society.
Waiomina (Wyoming) – by Helen Parker
Kaulana Ikuwa me Ka`au`a, lä
Na `eu kïpuka `ili
Na äiwaiwa `o Eulopa, lä
Waimea e ka `eu
Ka ua Kïpu`upu`u
Kahua Waiomina
`Olua nä moho puna ke ao, lä
Na `eu kipuka `ili`
A`ohe kupu`eu nanä e a`e, lä
Waimea e ka `eu
Ka ua Kïpu`upu`u
Meke anu a`o Kaleponi
Na ke kelekalapa i ha`i mai, lä
Na `eu kïpuka `ili
Ikuwa e ka moho puni ke ao, lä
Waimea e ka `eu
Ka ua Kïpu`upu`u
Na kuahiwi `ekolu
Piha hau`oli ou mau kini, lä
Na `eu kïpuka `ili
Kaulana ka ua Kïpu`upu`u, lä
Waimea e ka `eu
Na kuahiwi `ekolu
Kahua Waiomina
Ha`ina hou mai ka puana, lä
Na `eu kïpuka `ili
Ke kaula `ili a`o kani ka uwepa, lä
Waimea e ka `eu
Na kuahiwi `ekolu
Waimea e ka `eu
English translation:
Famous are Ikuwa and Ka`au`a
Both mischievous with the lariat
Both experts in Europe
Waimea full of gusto
The hard rain named Kipu`upu`u
To the stadium of Wyoming
Both are delegates to the world championship
Both mischievous with the lariat
No expert to excel you
Waimea full of gusto
The hard rain named Kipu`upu`u
To the cold of California
A telegraph brought us the word
Of your mischievous lariats
Ikuwa is the champion of the world
Waimea full of gusto
The hard rain named Kipu`upu`u
And the three mountains
Your people are full of happiness
Of your mischievous lariats
Famous is the Kipu`upu`u rain
Waimea full of gusto
The three mountains
The stadium of Wyoming
Tell the refrain
Of your mischievous lariats
The sound of the lariats
Waimea full of gusto
The three mountains
Waimea full of life