KUKUIULA — More than a dozen Hawaii High School Rodeo Association paniolo and their families capped a busy weekend on Sunday by painting over graffiti on the Kukuiula Bridge.
“The HHSRA, Kauai District, is working to instill in our keiki the importance of giving back to the community that supports them year after year,” said Tammy Puu, an HHSRA Kauai District official. “The keiki truly jumped at the opportunity to do this despite having bon dance on Friday, and participating in the Koloa Plantation Days parade on Saturday.”
Participating in groups that shared paint buckets, the 13 young paniolo attacked the face of the bridge that overlooks the Kukuiula golf course and The Club at Kukuiula.
“It’s not a very big job for these many hands,” Puu said. “But we can spend the time at a beach day.”
According to the chaperone in charge, the County of Kauai, which provided the paint and materials, had done some of the work on the graffiti that took place back in June.
“The county only has three people assigned to Bridges Division,” Puu said. “With only that many people, it would be months before they can take care of Kukuiula. But they came and filled in the big puka — the vandals accessed the bridge through a big hole — filled in dirt and put more boulders, and even color-matched the paint needed to cover the damage.”
The hands that made short work of the defaced bridge included:
Kahanu Blackstad, the reigning 2025 High School State All-Around Cowboy Champion who will be leaving for Walla Walla Community College and joining their collegiate rodeo team;
Paisley Kuhlman, the reigning 2025 Junior State Rodeo Barrel Racing and All-Around Cowgirl;
Aaliyah Augustin is the reigning 2025 Hawaii High School Rodeo Queen, and her sister Dakota;
and Colten Manibog, the reigning 2025 Junior State Rodeo Team Roping Champion.
Other hands belonged to Wehilani Blackstad, Sydney Manibog, Kealohi Oliveira, Jade Pacillio, Janaya Barriga, Kamaile Cacal-Wong, Chase Orsatelli, Dayton Vidinha and Savannah Miranda.
“No forget,” Puu told the group during the safety briefing held before painting. “You doing this for those people who help you get to the states and nationals. These people are your neighbors and friends who help you out.”
Puu said the keiki have participated in other community service projects over the years, including ringing bells for the Salvation Army Red Kettles, collecting and delivering new toys for the Toys for Tots program operated by the Marine Corps Reserve, and lots more.
The HHSRA Kauai District is part of the National High School Rodeo Association. Kauai sent four Juniors, or fourth and fifth grades, to compete with Team Hawaii in Iowa. Kauai also sent four high schoolers to Wyoming.
“These opportunities allow our keiki to experience other cultures, deepen their connection to rodeo, and explore colleges that offer rodeo scholarships,” Puu said. “If you ask any parent whose child has competed at nationals, they’ll tell you how transformative the experience has been for their child. It’s a vital part of their personal growth and development.”
“A huge mahalo to HHSRA Kauai President Gabe Kuhlmann and his wife, HHSTRA Kauai Secretary Laura-Jo Kuhlmann for their leadership and dedication to our keiki paniolo,” Puu said. “Special thanks as well to all the parents, families and our amazing community for your continued support. Without you, these opportunities would not be possible, and our keiki would not be able to chase their dreams.”
For more information, visit www.hhsrakauaidistrict.com.
Source: The Garden Island