On my trip to Hawaii's Big Island, I was able to ride with cowgirls at Parker Ranch (see photos from Hawaii's Big Island here) and hear stories of the rigors that wannabe cowboys were put through in order to become Parker Ranch Cowboys. Parker Ranch is an institution on the Big Island. This large cattle ranch, has been in existence for over 160 years. This year, 2008, is the year of the Hawaiian Cowboy, the Paniolo. During the next couple of weeks on the Big Island and at Parker Ranch, many events ... ...

During my trip to ride on the Big Island, I was able to explore Parker Ranch on horseback. It is a vast, working ranch in the shadow of Mauna Kea volcano. Tens of thousands of cattle roam the ranch under a big blue sky dotted with constantly moving clouds. The ranch is located in Waimea, cowboy country on the Big Island, where paniolos, Hawaiian cowboys, still do pass on their skills to future generations.

I asked Corky more about life for cowboys on Parker Ranch and what life is like for modern paniolos. ... ...