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Who moved the Waimea boot?

MEDIA RELEASE

WAIMEA — It’s like it dropped out of the sky and landed on the grassy area fronting First Hawaiian Bank in Waimea town. Then, apparently it caught a case of wanderlust and for some reason on Monday, Dec. 1, it plodded across the street to the grassy area fronting McDonald’s. (Must be true that the grass really is greener, huh?)

The Waimea boot, a gift from sister city Cheyenne, Wyo., has graced the bank's lawn for several months. Now, it mysteriously has wandered over to the grassy area in front of McDonald's. (Photo by Karin Stanton/Hawaii247.com)

The Waimea boot, a gift from sister city Cheyenne, Wyo., has graced the bank

The 8-foot-tall, colorful cowboy boot has been a topic of conversation across the Big Island. Residents have even called local radio stations to see if their DJs know anything about this giant piece of cowboy art. 

This boot was brought to Waimea by the Paniolo Preservation Society (PPS), the same folks who orchestrated the Great Waiomina Centennial Celebration earlier this year and encouraged state and county dignitaries to recognize 2008 as Year of the Paniolo. 

Created by the Cheyenne Depot Museum Foundation in Cheyenne, Wy., these boots are a popular decoration for storefronts all along Cheyenne’s main street. And, since Cheyenne is Waimea’s sister city of sorts, it makes sense that one of those boots would end up in the heart of Hawaii’s cowboy country. 

The boot is decorated with images and motifs focused on the ranching traditions of Hawaii, including the green “palaka” decorating its toe and a spur strap which says “Waiomina Centennial – 1908-2008.”  

Cheyenne Depot Museum’s in-house artists design these custom-made boots for businesses, organizations and individuals around the nation. The Big Island’s boot was designed by cowboy artist Ross Lampshire, a frequent visitor to the Islands. 

PPS has had other businesses in Waimea and Kona inquiring about the boot and how to obtain one. So, be watching for that other boot to drop!

— Find out more:

Paniolo Preservation Society: www.panioloperservation.org

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