A benefit rodeo was held recently for Kristene Sugai, at the Waipa Arena.
In a recent high school rodeo dally team roping event, Sugai had an accident, losing her thumb. Since then, she has faced mounting medical costs.
Despite the injury, her spirit and determination have not wavered, and she is still competing in barrel racing and pole-bending rodeo events.
Her family and supporters came together for a day of fund-raising, rodeo, food and fellowship.
The flagmen for the roping events was Pat Kelekoma Sr., and Joe Sugai for the barrel racing event.
There were 268 dally teams. The winners of the open dally team roping were Adam Brun and Pat “Sam” Brun. The winners were awarded embroidered cowboy shirts.
Kurtis Low and Bruddah Kelekoma took second place, winning leather halters with leads. Third-place winners Pat “Sam” Brun and Lelan Nishek were awarded sweatshirts, and fourth place was taken by Chaz Rita and Louie Matias Jr. They got rodeo jackets.
Some 25 people entered the barrel-racing event. Kristen Low took first place, winning a decorated leather halter, followed by Kristene Sugai in second place, winning a horse blanket. Britney Brun and Pat “Sam” Brun were tied for third place, and got rodeo jackets. Tarey Low added $100 dollars to the pot.
Both young and old, female and male entered. The youngest rider was Kamalani Brun, 6, and the oldest, over 60, was her grandfather, Patrick “Banana” Brun.
Pat “Sam” Brun was the overall high winner of the day, and was awarded a trophy buckle. Top handicapped ropers were Chaz Rita and Louie Matias Jr. The top spender, with no winnings to show, was Randall Soares.
Near the end of the day, friends and family made huli-huli beef, huli-huli pork, salad, shoyu chicken, fish and other food for the guests to eat after a long day. Dennis Wong, Keoki Huddy and Keoki Rapozo were the main cooks for the huli-huli.
The Sugai family also had a lucky drawing for quarters of beef donated by Bruce Laymon and Lance Fu. The winners were Rovan Poai, Glenda Vierra, York Higashi, Pelane Fernandez, Kaliko Kealoha (twice), Lelan Nishek and Apryl Soares.
The Sugai-Masada ‘ohana from Maui, Hawai’i High School Rodeo Association, Maui district and Maui Keiki O Paniolo Club, Kimizuka family, Aiwohi Designs on Maui, Kahaleauki family, Apo family, Jacobson family, J. Lono Stables, Kirsten Peet, Pau Hana Roping Club, RJ and Kala’e Masada, Kapa’a High School Rodeo Club, Apryl Soares, Bruce Laymon and Lance Fu all donated prizes.
Other volunteers helped sell tickets, collect donations, and worked as office and rodeo crew members, including Dennis Wong and family, Keoki Rapozo, Keoki Huddy, Fred Aki and family, Pat Kelekoma and family, Tracey Pimental and family, Bridget Chandler, Tarey Low, Wellington Fencing, Aurea Laymon, Tracy Aki, Kahanu Smith, Adam Hussey, Alanne Tasaka, Jerry Nakasone, Ann Low, Maria Kanealii, Laureen Balocan, Bernie Kaeo and family, Teri Wilkerson, Melissa Yamamoto, Corinna Vasconcelles, Tami Yamamoto, Lorna Brun and family, and others.
