Leighton Kaleialii Beck Ka`Alu`Alu Ranch & Hawaiian Ranch ...

Leighton Kaleialii BeckKa`Alu`Alu Ranch & Hawaiian Ranch, HawaiiKaupo Ranch, Maui1930 - 2003By the time he started at Kaupo, Leighton Beck had already been a paniolofor 21 years on the Big Island, working at the same ranch as his father beforehim. He had already learned the many skills of a cowboy of that era, makinghis own skin ropes, saddles and tapaderos, training and shoeing his ownhorses, doctoring cattle, delivering calves. . You name it.It was no surprise that Leighton worked his way up from ranch hand toforeman, and no surprise that he was noticed by others. In 1969 he was recruited as Assistant Ranch Managerat Kaupo Ranch on Maui. He was to spend the next 29 years at Kaupo, eventually becoming ranch manager.He contributed to improving the infrastructure of the ranch, such as the water system, the cross fencing andthe pastures, before he retired in 1998.After growing up chasing cattle in the lava lands of the Big Island, Beck took naturally to the rugged countryaround Kaupo. He lived up to his reputation as an excellent roper, cattleman and horseman. He was equallyskilled handling wild or tame cattle and was said to be able to rope anything that moved on any kind of terrain.Like a true cowboy, he broke many a bone in his line of work, but always had “lots of guts” and a great senseof humor.A few things that his close friends know about Leighton are that he was a great cook, liked to read westernnovels and loved to whistle. We can imagine that he developed those passions while out on the range, wherehe loved to be.

The following poem was written by Soot Bredfhoff and read at the 2003 Paniolo Festival in memory ofLeighton:For LeightonWe know there’s a cowboy heaven.It’s told of in song and prose.And for na Paniolo from Hawaii.The gates will never be closed.Leighton has checked in up thereTo see his wonderful Ka’u gang.There’s Johnny and Frank and AolaAnd many many more.They sang and they laughed togetherAnd no one had time to snore.Then he met with his Kaupo brothersNahale, Keawe, Aloof and Tito.And they sang and they laughed some more,Remembering the old Christmas partiesWhen some folks passed out on the floor.Soon they’ll all saddle up together.Through the heavenly country they’ll ride.Just a helluva bunch of cowboysWith pipi ahiu to be caught and tied.Leighton will ride Mapuana one day,And Eby Girl the next.Then Ho’oheno and Comanche,When the other two need a rest.And na Paniola still down hereWill keep doing the honorable job they know.And sometimes they’ll think of those riders up thereAnd tell them – “A Hui Hou”-Until we meet again.Soot