Partners & Sponsors
Board of Directors
Founder and President
Noah Foti
Noah Foti, born and raised on Maui, is an accomplished athlete and outdoorsman with extensive experience, including years spent competing in professional rodeo.
Having faced significant hardships and personal tragedy at a young age, Noah’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and a deep commitment to his community. As an entrepreneur, he is dedicated to creating opportunities that support the sustainable future of Hawaii.
Noah is constantly innovating and working to foster community engagement, seeking new ways to empower others and drive positive change.
Vice President
Rachel Andrews Cockett
Rachel’s journey has always been centered around horses. Born and raised on Maui, she’s a first-generation cowgirl, a wife, and a mother. Growing up, she rode English and competed in hunter/jumpers, but also had an underlining passion for rodeo. At 22, she began barrel racing and later trained other young rodeo athletes, eventually opening a facility for them to practice. Seeking further knowledge, Rachel moved to Texas to attend Clinton Anderson's colt starting academy. After completing the program, she stayed in Texas to learn from top horsemen and rodeo athletes. Rachel returned to Maui to start Barra Ranch, a training facility focused on performance horses and mentoring rodeo kids. Over the past six years she has dedicated herself to the horses and kids of her program. With big goals ahead, she’s dedicated to showcasing her trained horses on the mainland while continuing to do God’s work.
Secretary
Sharon Ann Freitas
Sharon Freitas, born and raised on Maui, comes from a five-generation legacy of ranching and rodeo. A skilled horsewoman and professional rodeo cowgirl, she has earned numerous awards in both English and western events at local, national, and world championships.
In 1974, Sharon founded Hawaii’s first All-Girls Rodeo, which ran for 32 years, and in 2003, she established the Tom Morrow Equestrian Arena. She has held leadership roles as President of MGRA, KRC, MCRA, TMEC and V President of HHSRA. Sharon has also been the State Director for the National Barrel Horse Association for 27 years.
Outside of rodeo, Sharon has spent many years in education, where she continues to inspire resilience, determination, and community in the next generation.
Fundraising Coordinator
Lei Ana Bland
Lei Ana is a dedicated and passionate individual, deeply committed to giving back to her community. Raised on the Island of Maui, she developed a connection from Mauka to Makai. Her journey led her to discover a passion and connection to the Paniolo lifestyle, igniting a desire to help perpetuate and preserve this vital piece of Hawaiian culture.
Driven by her love for her community and heritage, Lei Ana is constantly seeking opportunities to improve our program that supports the Paniolo way of life. Whether it’s finding innovative ways to enhance initiatives or securing much-needed funding.
Program Director
Haia Auweloa
Haia Auweloa’s story is deeply rooted in the rich paniolo heritage of Hawai’i. Born and raised on Maui, Haia comes from a long line of Hawaiian cowboys, going back over 4 generations.
Haia has a long history of ranching and heavy equipment operating at some of Hawaii's largest outfits, including Kaonoulu Ranch, Ponoholo Ranch, SC Ranch, Puu’huluhulu Ranch, and Parker Ranch. He also managed the Kohala Watershed Partnership fence crew. Now on the West Side of Maui, Haia runs his own expanding cattle operation.
Haia now dedicates his life to helping his community build a sustainable future while sharing his knowledge of God’s glory, supported by his ohana.
Treasurer
Caroline Iannetta
Caroline Iannetta’s journey is defined by resilience, shaped by the unwavering support of her community and the work ethic of the paniolo culture. Raised in Upcountry Maui, she grew up immersed in rodeo and the paniolo way of life, where early personal loss taught her strength, responsibility, and determination. After earning her degree from the University of Hawaii and an MBA from LSU, Caroline built a successful finance career across several prominent companies on the mainland. Despite her professional success, her heart remains rooted in Maui, where she returns often to reconnect with her heritage and passion for horsemanship. Today, Caroline is committed to preserving the traditions of horsemanship while fostering community stewardship.