Decades before the cattle drives that established the cowboy as an icon of the American West, Hawaii developed a ranching culture of its own. Is it time for a national park site dedicated to paniolo?

This year’s theme honors Hawaii’s cowboys. ‘Pa’ina Paniolo: A Country Carnival' kicks off Friday, Feb. 7, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the fun continuing on Saturday, Feb. 8th.

Wendell Wong has had songs written about him before, but when his lifelong friend Mondokane wrote “Maui Cowboy ... is familiar with songs about his paniolo past and present.

Maui visitors can experience authentic hula, swim beneath waterfalls, kayak with humpback whales, explore upcountry’s paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) heritage, hike through lush and spiritually ...