Supporting the Next Generation of Paniolo: Kona Coffee & Tea Sponsors Five Hawaiʻi Rodeo Athletes on Their Journey to Nationals
At Kona Coffee & Tea, we believe great communities are built by investing in the next generation. This year, we are incredibly honored to sponsor five outstanding young rodeo athletes as they represent Hawaiʻi on one of the biggest stages in youth rodeo—the 2026 National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Through dedication, perseverance, and countless hours of practice, Addie Rose Flores, Kaweloanu Hāliʻipiliakaʻohukoloikaukaopu
Rodeo is about far more than competition. It teaches discipline, responsibility, resilience, teamwork, humility, and a strong work ethic that prepares young athletes for success both inside and outside of the arena. These values have been passed down through generations of Hawaiʻi’s paniolo, and today they continue to live on through these remarkable young competitors.
We are honored to play a small role in helping these athletes travel, compete, and pursue their dreams while preserving the rich legacy of Hawaiʻi’s ranching culture.
Addie Rose Flores
Seventeen-year-old Addie Rose Flores, who recently completed her junior year through Acellus Academy, is one of Hawaiʻi’s most accomplished young cowgirls. She competes in Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Team Roping, Breakaway Roping, Cutting, and Reining Cow Horse, and this year marks an incredible milestone—her sixth trip to the National High School Finals Rodeo.
Growing up in a ranching family, Addie has been surrounded by horses and rodeo her entire life. She says competing simply felt like a natural part of who she is. In 2023, she earned the title of Junior High State All Around Champion Cowgirl, and she has continued building on that success year after year.
Her 2026 season was filled with impressive accomplishments. Addie won the Hawaiʻi High School Rodeo Association Team Roping State Championship, placed third in Barrel Racing, and finished sixth in both Breakaway Roping and Cutting. Within the Big Island District, she earned the title of Reserve All Around Cowgirl, finished first in Barrel Racing for the fourth consecutive year, placed second in Breakaway Roping, fourth in Pole Bending, Reining Cow Horse, and Cutting, and fifth in Poʻo Waiʻū. She also earned the title of 2026 Hawaiʻi Keiki Rodeo All Around Cowgirl.
This year Addie qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo in both Team Roping and Barrel Racing, though she made the decision to focus solely on Team Roping at nationals. She also qualified for the Hooey Junior Patriot in Las Vegas this December in Breakaway Roping.
While she enjoys the excitement of competition, Addie says one of her favorite parts of rodeo is the community and lifelong friendships it has given her. Looking ahead to nationals and her senior season, her goal is simple: stay positive, enjoy every opportunity, and continue becoming a better competitor than she was the day before.
Addie is especially thankful to everyone who has supported her throughout her journey, and she shares a heartfelt mahalo to her parents for their endless sacrifices, encouragement, and unwavering belief in her dreams.
Kaweloanu Hāliʻipiliakaʻohukoloikaukaopuʻunani Castro
Eighteen-year-old Kaweloanu Castro recently graduated from Kanu o ka ʻĀina Charter School in Puʻukapu, Waimea. A dedicated all-around competitor, Kawelo participates in .22 Light Rifle, Trap Shooting, Tie-Down Roping, Team Roping, Double Mugging, and Poʻo Waiū.
Born and raised in Waimea, Kawelo enjoys hunting, hula, and spending time in Hawaiʻi’s ranching community. His rodeo journey began in sixth grade when he joined the Hawaiʻi High School Rodeo Association shooting team and qualified for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo in Des Moines, Iowa. Watching fellow Hawaiʻi athletes compete in the horse events inspired him to one day do the same.
Without a horse of his own at the time, Kawelo started by competing in chute dogging while continuing to develop his horsemanship. During his freshman year of high school, his family purchased Keeper, a young ranch horse from the Parker Ranch Labor Day Horse Auction. Through years of patience, consistency, and countless hours together, Kawelo and Keeper have built a partnership based on trust.
This season, one of Kawelo’s proudest accomplishments was strengthening that relationship while achieving more consistent runs in Team Roping. He also captured 1st Place in the State in .22 Light Rifle and 3rd Place in Trap Shooting, qualifying him to represent Hawaiʻi at the National High School Finals Rodeo in both shooting events.
Although he narrowly missed qualifying in Tie-Down Roping and Team Roping, Kawelo says he gave everything he had and remains grateful for the opportunity to compete while celebrating his success in the shooting arena.
This fall, Kawelo will attend the University of Montana Western, where he hopes to become a member of the university rodeo team and eventually qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo in Tie-Down Roping and Team Roping. His long-term goal is to continue building an even stronger partnership with Keeper so that together they can compete confidently at the highest level.
Kawelo credits his parents, his entire ʻohana, and the many coaches, mentors, aunties, and uncles who have supported both him and Keeper throughout the years. Their encouragement has helped shape not only the athlete he has become, but also the kanaka he strives to be every day.
Levi Wood-Barit
Eighteen-year-old Levi Kainui Wood, a graduate of the Class of 2026, competes in Dally Team Roping, Calf Roping, Trap Shooting, Double Mugging, and Poʻo Waiʻū, two events unique to Hawaiʻi rodeo.
For Levi, this season wasn’t measured solely by wins and placements. Instead, he considers one of his greatest accomplishments to be becoming more consistent, continuing to improve, and putting together solid performances throughout the year.
His hard work earned him qualification for the 2026 National High School Finals Rodeo in Trap Shooting, Dally Team Roping, and Calf Roping, where he will proudly represent Team Hawaiʻi in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Levi also recently competed in his first Fourth of July Ranch Rodeo at Parker Ranch as a member of Kahua Ranch. The team placed in several events, but the highlight came when Kahua Ranch earned the prestigious All Around Ranch saddle.
Inspired by his father from a young age, Levi says rodeo has taught him the importance of dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance. He enjoys every moment spent in the saddle, the excitement that comes with entering the arena, and the friendships built throughout the rodeo community.
Looking ahead, Levi hopes to continue preserving Hawaiʻi’s paniolo culture, qualify for the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, build lasting relationships throughout the rodeo world, and make everyone who has supported him proud.
Levi first gives thanks to God, believing that through Him all things are possible. He is also deeply grateful to his parents, siblings, grandparents, extended ʻohana, friends, community, and sponsors who have continually encouraged him throughout his journey.
Luke Joaquin
Sixteen-year-old Luke Joaquin attends Honokaʻa High School and has quickly become one of Hawaiʻi’s promising young bull riders. Through consistency, determination, and a season of hard work, Luke earned his place at the National High School Finals Rodeo, where he will also proudly represent Hawaiʻi as the Reserve All-Around Cowboy.
Luke recently delivered an outstanding performance during the Parker Ranch Fourth of July Rodeo, demonstrating the grit, determination, and courage that continue to define Hawaiʻi’s next generation of paniolo.
When asked what first inspired him to pursue bull riding, Luke shared,
“I always wanted to do it from a young age. It’s a single-man sport—it’s you and the bull. If you mess up, it’s nobody’s fault but yours. I like that it’s an independent event.”
That mindset perfectly reflects Luke’s approach to the sport. Bull riding demands confidence, accountability, and resilience, and Luke embraces every challenge that comes with stepping into the arena.
As he prepares to compete on the national stage, Luke looks forward to representing Hawaiʻi, continuing to grow as both an athlete and a young paniolo, and inspiring others to pursue their own dreams through hard work and determination.
Stephen Lazarus Amafala Marquard
Seventeen-year-old Stephen Lazarus Amafala Marquard attends Kanu ʻo ka ʻĀina NCPCS and competes in Trap Shooting and .22 Light Rifle. Whether he’s on the shooting range, the baseball field, or in the classroom, Stephen approaches every opportunity with discipline, humility, and a desire to continually improve.
Outside of rodeo, Stephen has competed in junior varsity and varsity baseball for Konawaena High School, enjoys spearfishing, and has excelled academically through dual enrollment, earning associate degrees in Liberal Arts and Hawaiian Studies while still in high school.
This season marked several major milestones. Stephen shot a personal best of 94 out of 100 clays, recorded his third perfect round of 25 out of 25, and captured 1st Place at the Hawaiʻi State Trap Shooting Championship, earning his place at the 2026 National High School Finals Rodeo in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Stephen’s rodeo journey began thanks to his mother, who attended an introductory shooting weekend and met the coach who would eventually invite Stephen to join the Hawaiʻi High School Rodeo Association shooting team. Encouraged to simply give the sport a try, Stephen quickly discovered a passion for trap shooting and hasn’t looked back.
One of the things Stephen enjoys most about rodeo is the camaraderie shared among competitors. While every athlete is striving to perform at their best, the rodeo community continues to support one another like family. That sense of ʻohana is one of the things he values most about competing.
Looking ahead, Stephen’s greatest goal is to one day bring home a National Championship title for Hawaiʻi while continuing to grow as both an athlete and a person.
Stephen is deeply grateful to his parents for supporting him throughout his journey, his mother and sister for documenting countless memories along the way, and his shooting coach for the extra hours of practice and encouragement that have helped shape him into the competitor he is today. Above all, he gives thanks to Ke Akua for providing strength, opportunity, and faithful guidance.
A verse that continues to encourage Stephen is
Looking Ahead
At Kona Coffee & Tea, we believe that every great journey begins with a community that believes in you. We are incredibly grateful to support these five outstanding young athletes as they carry Hawaiʻi’s paniolo legacy onto the national stage.
Each of their stories is unique, but they all share the same qualities—hard work, perseverance, humility, and an unwavering commitment to becoming the very best they can be. They represent not only the future of rodeo, but also the values that have defined Hawaiʻi’s ranching communities for generations.
As Addie, Kaweloanu, Levi, Luke, and Stephen compete at the 2026 National High School Finals Rodeo, they carry with them the support of their families, coaches, mentors, communities, and everyone back home who believes in them. We are honored to stand alongside them and celebrate their accomplishments both in and out of the arena.
From all of us at Kona Coffee & Tea, mahalo for joining us in supporting the next generation of paniolo. We wish each of these incredible athletes safe travels, strong performances, and unforgettable memories as they represent Hawaiʻi with pride.
Go Team Hawaiʻi! We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.