Paniolo have their roots in the cowboys of Old Mexico who were summoned to Hawaii in 1832. The Mexicans taught islanders how to tame the cattle and horses that were given as gifts to Kamehamaha the Great. Paniolo supplied beef to prospectors during California's Gold Rush.
On the Big Island you can see Paniolo cowboys in action at the Parker Ranch, the largest private ranch under single ownership in the United States.
