The Paniolo Saga

The untold story of Hawaii’s rugged cowboys and frontier spirit.

BY RANDY KRAUSE

Cowboys In Hawai'i

I write Hawaiian Westerns because the story of the paniolo—the Hawaiian cowboy—is one of the most remarkable and least-told chapters in American frontier history. These islands hold more than beaches and palm trees; they hold a rugged legacy of riders who tamed wild cattle across lava plains and mountain uplands. Writing these stories allows me to share that history while also passing along something important to my granddaughter, Ava. As she grows up, I want her to know that real adventure, courage, and hard work built the world we live in—and that some of the greatest stories ever told happened right here in old Hawaiʻi.

Close-up of weathered leather saddlebags resting on a horse, with lava rock walls in the background.

Those lessons are exactly what inspired the Paniolo Saga. Through these books, I hope readers can ride along across the volcanic uplands, feel the wind across the grasslands, and experience the courage and grit of the Hawaiian cowboys who helped shape these islands. If these stories spark curiosity, inspire a little adventure, or help pass along the spirit of the paniolo to the next generation—including my granddaughter Ava—then the trail has been worth riding.

A paniolo cowboy silhouetted against a golden sunset, riding along a rugged lava rock wall.

Meet Randy Krause

When he isn’t writing about the paniolo, Krause shares his passion for sustainability and hands-on learning through The Hydroponic Home series — a collection that helps families, teachers, and homeschoolers explore hydroponics and STEM education together.

Randy lives in the American West with his wife, Vimi, where he continues to write, ranch, and pass along his love of cowboying to his granddaughter, Ava. His stories are his legacy — a bridge between the trail and the tide.

About the Author

Randy Krause doesn’t just write about cowboys — he’s lived the life.

As a young cowboy working cattle in Texas and later riding as a paniolo on Hawai‘i’s Big Island, he learned the hard lessons of dust, rope, and weather. He’s turned calves on the lava slopes of Mauna Loa, held the line through hurricanes, and seen both the grit and grace that make ranch life what it is. Those years in the saddle shaped his respect for the American cowboy and deepened his love for the Hawaiian paniolo — a bond that rides through every page of his stories.

In The Paniolo Series, Krause brings to life the untold history of Hawai‘i’s cowboys — men and women who tamed wild herds on lava plains and carried island traditions into the wider Western world. Written in the plainspoken, rugged style of Louis L’Amour, his novels honor both frontier adventure and Hawaiian heritage.

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