✰✰✰✰ While most of us are familiar with the romanticized version of the Wild West, what do we actually know about the real challenges of life back then? This book brings to light that special era between when the West was won and when people were transitioning into creating a “civilized” environment. As the country grew, there were challenges of settling the land and dealing with other cultures. Ideally situated, Hawaii was important to ships and trade. Hawaii was already a diverse population rich in culture and history. Yet the young United States eyed these islands as the perfect addition. Most of the mainland still thought of Hawaiians as foreigners at the time three islanders came to compete in Cheyenne’s Frontier Days. Likened to the original Paris Olympics, Frontier Days attracted cowboys worldwide and the winners became undisputed world champions. Would the three Hawaiians be treated fairly? Would they be able to compete at the world championship level? Would they be able to prevail after a long trip? Part history lesson, part adventure, part biography, this book packs a punch and will keep you turning the pages.
The Bottom Line: Basically, this is a history book about Hawaii in the early years. It’s a fast read considering it’s packed with interesting facts. However, it’s like three little books in one (Hawaii, U.S., Paniolo), and you only get to scratch the surface of each. While each part is interesting, I would have liked to see more information about how the paniolo lived their lives on a daily basis and how their families coped. Recommended for history buffs and the general reader who is interested in the Wild West and American History.
Book Club Notes: While we enjoyed reading this slim book, it somehow left us searching for more…more information about the lives of the paniolo and more recent information about Hawaii. On a scale from 1 - 5, with five being the highest, we averaged a 4. Ratings ranged between 3.75 and 5. Some of the comments about this book included wishing it were longer and appreciating that it was factual and very informative. We also liked the inclusion of the photos. This book was packed with history; yet it kept the reader's interest. Only one person mentioned that the details could be overwhelming at times. And we tossed around the idea of a better title as Aloha Rodeo is a bit misleading (the book was more about the early history of Hawaii than Hawaiian rodeos.) History buffs will appreciate the attention to detail, while others might want to read this in small bites. Enthusiastically recommended for book clubs interested in American History and the Old West. Every member learned at least one thing, so for me that’s “mission accomplished.”
While this was a lively discussion, the book did not come with discussion questions. Since it was chock full of facts about the history of Hawaii, the Paniolo, the Wild West, and America, it was difficult to come up with themed questions. I have included below, the list of questions that I did come up with. However, these were more like test questions than my usual style of thoughtful questions about theory, intentions, etc. It’s simply due to the nature of the book itself and the style in which it is written. Pick and choose the questions that suit your group, and please remember to credit this site.
Discussion Questions:
Hawaii & the Monarchy:
How did Hawaii’s isolation protect the islands? How did it hinder the islands? Later, how did Hawaii benefit from its location?
How important did the cattle become to Hawaii’s economy? Or how were the cattle a turning point in Hawaiian history?
How did Hawaiians view land? Why wasn’t it theirs to buy or sell?
Why was the land grab in 1840 one of the most important events in Hawaiian history? How did it redefine the concept of property? Who grabbed up the land?
Discuss the multi-ethnicity of the people of Hawaii.
Discuss Hawaii’s monarchy.
Who was Kamehameha?
How did cattle get to the islands? Why were the cattle brought there?
In the eyes of Europeans, what were the cattle useful for?
How did overthrowing the monarchy affect the cultural identity of the Hawaiian people?
The Paniolo:
Who were the vaqueros? Why did they come to Hawaii? What did they teach the Hawaiians?
What are paniolo? What does the word mean?
Describe paniolo culture.
What is involved in ranching?
Who was John Palmer Parker? How was he important to Hawaii’s future at the time? How was he different from missionaries who visited the islands at the time?
What were the characteristics of a good bullock hunter? What was their life like?
Discuss the importance of horses.
The Paniolo had additionally challenges like always being aware of where to find water. Discuss the challenges of herding into the surf.
Who was Eben Low? Why was he so famous? What happened to him? How did he reinvent himself?
Who was Ikua Purdy? How were Ikua and Eben different?
Wyoming/U.S.:
What was the Manifest Destiny? Was it opportunistic? Why were some people opposed to taking over foreign lands?
Why was it difficult for some to accept the takeover of Hawaii? Why would some “backward” places not welcome this new form of governance and prosperity? Were these cultures really “backward.”
How did Cheyenne Frontier Days become a cultural showcase & rodeo competition?
What was the Transcontinental Railroad? Why did it change the country? Discuss the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Discuss the rise and fall of Cheyenne.
When Eben Low visited the mainland twice, he was disturbed by the racism he saw. Yet, one in four cowboys at the time were African American. Discuss racism in the Wild West. Discuss racism now.
Wyoming’s motto is “Equal Rights.” Discuss women’s suffrage.
How did Cheyenne Frontier Days become a cultural showcase & rodeo competition?
Has anyone ever been to a rodeo?
Has anyone ever been to a ranch?
Describe the Old West. Discuss the differences between the Old West and the romanticized version.
What happened to the bison?
Wild West Show:
Who was William Frederick Cody? How did he get the name “Buffalo Bill?”
How did Buffalo Bill Cody turn cowboy culture into mainstream entertainment?
What was “Wild West Theater”? And why were people so interested in it?
Discuss Cody’s influence on romanticizing the Wild West, and by extension America itself.
Discuss Cody’s inconsistent relationship with Native Americans.
How do you think the Native Americans in Cody’s Wild West show felt about performing?
Who was William Picket? [African American cowboy famous for bulldogging.]
Discuss the cowgirls. What challenges did they face?
Annie Oakley advocated for women to participate in sports and exercise. How has this been beneficial to women?
Why were the paniolo mislabeled as foreigners in many accounts of Frontier Days?
Wrap-up:
Discuss the long-term environmental consequences of the cattle on the islands. What impact did ranching have? What did Eben believe was the bigger problem?
Why did it take so long for Ikua to be inducted into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Rodeo Hall of Fame?
The author talks about the Fourth of July being one of the most important public holidays of the year back in 1898. Does it have the same meaning now? Has the celebration changed?
Did you learn something new? Please share.
Do you have any questions?
Ratings 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest & why?
Details: Aloha Rodeo: Three Hawaiian Cowboys, The World’s Greatest Rodeo, and A Hidden History of The American West by David Wolman and Julian Smith. Hardcover published by William Morrow in 2019. 256 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-283600-7
