When Hailey Onaka travels to Wyoming in July, she’ll be prepared to answer two questions.
“The first thing people always ask is if I know how to surf and if I know how to do hula,” she said.
Onaka can’t do either – but she’s handy with a horse and rope. She’s a cowgirl, and twice the best high-schooler in the state.
“People (on the mainland) are surprised rodeo is a thing in Hawaii,” Onaka said.
Even closer to home, that’s a surprise to some. Like many students at Makua Lani, Onaka is on the soccer team, but that’s a mere hobby for the junior.