Maui resident Kathleen Souza, who has trained hundreds of horses, will be the grand marshal for the 2025 Fourth of July parade Friday in Makawao. Photo courtesy Souza family
She’s been a participant at many rodeos on Maui and trained horses for a living, but Kathleen Souza, who is still working, never thought she would be selected as the grand marshal of the Fourth of July Makawao parade.
“I was kind of in shock,” Souza said. “I didn’t expect it. I’m honored.”
In the Fourth of July parade along Makawao Avenue, Souza will be riding the palomino horse, Yellow, as she is honored for her work in the ranching community.
The parade on Friday precedes the Makawao Stampede rodeo at the Okie Rice Event Center later that day, as well as events on Saturday and Sunday including bull riding, bronc riding, team roping, barrel racing and more.
Souza said she’s not the first woman to be selected as grand marshal, but she might be the youngest at age 66.
The culture of the Hawaiian cowboys and their families have a rich history, starting with King Kamehameha I accepting the gift of cattle by British Captain George Vancouver in 1793 and Hawaiians learning cattle ranching from vaqueros from California in the early 1800s.
Makawao is known as the center of cowboy activities on Maui, combining family ranches with larger ranches including Haleakala Ranch and Ulupalakua Ranch.
Souza has worked as manager of Wai Ulu Stables in Makawao for more than 30 years, training hundreds of horses for herself and other people and managing the operation.
She said her parents gave her a pony, “Kimo,” at around age 8 or 9, and she has always loved horses and the lifestyle involved in cattle ranching.
“I’ve been in rodeos all my life, roping, team roping, barrel racing,” she said.
Souza, whose late husband Jimmy Souza operated Souza Ranch, knows how to work as a team to chase down cattle, rope them and tie them down for branding.
“I think he was one of the greatest horse trainers in Hawaii,” she said of her husband. “He taught me everything.”
Her son Rory and daughter Misty have also been involved in the rodeo in the past, and she’s grateful for her stepdaughters Janine Souza Carroll and Brandy Souza McGregor for their support.
Rory, the owner of RS Bucking Bulls, will be providing the bulls for the bull riding competition.
This year, Kathleen has entered in a number of events, including the century-roping competition team with her son. Rory, 34, will try to rope the head of the steer, and Kathleen will go for its hind legs.
She said she’s happy to see her family continuing the lifestyle behind cattle ranching.
“It’s a great thing and a big deal,” she said.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the July 4th parade along Makawao Avenue and rodeo at Oskie Rice Event Center at 523 Olinda Road. Tickets are available online at Etix.com. For more, go to OskieRiceEventCenter.com/.
July 4 — Makawao Parade: A parade through Makawao featuring community groups, classic cars, and the rodeo horses and riders in traditional attire.
Makawao Stampede: Gates open at 3 p.m. Preshow concert with Jimmy Charles Band at 5 p.m.; Bull Bash: A bull riding competition, bareback, saddle bronc, match barrels and mutton busting competition at the Oskie Rice Event Center at 7 p.m.
July 5 — Paniolo Day: A day dedicated to celebrating Hawaiian cowboy culture with various rodeo events and festivities. It includes the first round of the rodeo competition.
July 6 — Patriotic Day: The final day of the rodeo featuring championship performances and live music by The Maui Country Band. The last day features the final championship round of the rodeo.