Panaewa Stampede Rodeo

View on map
Sports & AdventureHilo
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
Duration2 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceWhat separates this rodeo from mainland
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Panaewa Stampede Rodeo in Hilo

The Panaewa Stampede Rodeo is a two-day rodeo held over Presidents Day weekend in February at the Al Cabral Rodeo Arena in the Panaewa area just south of Hilo. Alongside standard events like bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, and keiki mutton bustin', it features Hawaii-only paniolo events rooted in the islands' cattle-ranching past, drawing local and traveling competitors in front of Hilo-side crowds.

Hawaii's cowboy tradition predates the American mainland's by several decades.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What separates this rodeo from mainland events is Po'o Wai U, a roping technique developed by Hawaii's paniolo to capture wild cattle, or pipi 'ahiu, that once ranged free through Big Island forest

02

The mystery stays covered

Competitors rope a steer by the horns, drag it to an aumana, a Y-shaped tree once used in the field and replicated in the arena today, and tie it off with a nonchoke knot, a skill demonstration found nowhere outside Hawaii

03

The city starts moving

The event pairs that living history with a modern rodeo program, professional announcing, a rodeo clown, and a dedicated Paniolo Hawaiian Cowboy Cultural Tent, so visitors see both the sport and the ranching heritage behind it in the same afternoon

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Po'o Wai U is the rodeo's signature tradition

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a re-creation of the method Hawaii's paniolo used to lasso wild cattle and secure them to a tree

The sacred route

Living ritual

before modern fencing and cattle-handling made the practice obsolete on working ranches

The local code

Living ritual

Its inclusion alongside standard rodeo events keeps a distinctly Hawaiian roping skill alive as competitive sport rather than letting it disappear with the open-range era that produced it

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

For Panaewa Stampede Rodeo, plan transport around the exact Hilo venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual outdoor ranch-country attire: jeans or work pants, closed-toe boots or sturdy shoes suitable for dusty arena grounds, a hat or cap, and a t-shirt or light long sleeves, since Panaewa...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Panaewa Stampede Rodeo, stay near the part of Hilo you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map19.73 N, 155.09 WOpen in Google Maps

Hilo, HI

Nearest airportKOA — Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole
TransportFor Panaewa Stampede Rodeo, plan transport around the exact Hilo venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Panaewa Stampede Rodeo, stay near the part of Hilo you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Hilo via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Hilo, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearCasual outdoor ranch-country attire: jeans or work pants, closed-toe boots or sturdy shoes suitable for dusty arena grounds, a hat or cap, and a t-shirt or light long sleeves, since Panaewa can be warm and sunny with sudden light rain typical of Hilo's wet side.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Panaewa Stampede Rodeo?

Panaewa Stampede Rodeo is listed for Past edition: 14–15 February 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Panaewa Stampede Rodeo take place?

The festival is listed in Hilo, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

2 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Hilo, HI

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLhawaiirodeostampede.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
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