Meet the

May 2026

Helping to celebrate the 110th anniversary of Kaonoulu Ranch, Kanoelani Kipi is the 2026 K Ranch Roping Queen. Kanoelani is the daughter of Mikiala Maynard and a graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Maui Campus. Kanoelani began riding horses off and on at the age of 6, until a few years ago, when she had the opportunity to ride more consistently with her aunt, Melissa Sowers of Maui Ponies. She began her rodeo career competing at the Kaupakalua Roping Club Keiki Rodeos and the Hawai’i High School Rodeo Association (HHSRA) and Hawai’i National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) soon after. In 2025, Kanoelani and her horse, ‘Eleu, traveled to Kaua’i to compete in the HHSRA state championship, where they placed in the top 20 in barrel racing, pole bending, and top 16 in goat tying. As Queen, Kanoelani wants to foster and strengthen relationships among the women of rodeo, and stated she wants to “leave a legacy behind that people want to follow, that people want to continue to perpetuate, and the kind of legacy that’ll pull our younger generations in and keep that fire to keep burning.” When not on horseback, Kanoelani can be found working at Maui Ponies, the Makawao Veterinary Clinic, and a feed store, while also running her own business, Bronc N Bling Co.

Kanoelani would like to mahalo: Her mom, Mikiala, her grandparents “tutu and poppy”, Aunty Melissa and Melia, her bestie Siena, Aunty Morag, Aunty Maile, the McBarnet ‘Ohana, and all
the other aunties, uncles, and friends that have supported me along this journey. I couldn’t have done it without you guys.