Back in 1954, I worked a few months for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin Sports Department before entering the Army. One of my jobs was covering polo at the Honolulu Stadium. So when I heard all the hoopla and fanfare about The Kahala Hotel and Resort Hawaii Invitational of Polo, I was interested.
I learned Charles (Charlie) Pietsch Jr., who played polo and developed the Kahala Hilton in 1964, was to be honored at the big upcoming match Sept. 16. In the early 1950s, Charlie and his wife, Fern, took their children to watch polo matches at the old stadium.
The best polo player in Hawaii in those days was Peter Perkins, who moved to Hawaii in 1952 and was rated at nine goals (10 was best). Some considered him the best arena polo player in the world. Another top player in those days was Tommy Campos, a tough, hard-riding cowboy from Campos Dairy in Kailua.
When Peter and Tommy were on the field, the match was always exciting. Some well-to-do residents drove their convertibles on the football field, parked on the sidelines, lowered their car tops and held cocktail parties as they watched the matches. It wasn’t exactly a tailgate party like those held at Aloha Stadium before University of Hawaii football games, but they had fun.
After Charlie took up the sport, Fern became a timekeeper and scorekeeper at polo matches.
Even after Charlie retired from playing, he could still be seen at matches as a referee atop his favorite stallion, Sun Drift. In 1960, Charlie bought Sunset Ranch in Pupukea and worked to establish the nearly 30-acre property as a premier riding and breeding ground for polo ponies. His stable supplied many horses to visiting international teams and visiting players, including Prince Philip and Prince Charles.
In 1964, Pietsch opened the doors to the Kahala Hilton Hotel, the luxury property that drew Hollywood’s best, U.S. presidents, international leaders and others. The hotel, now the Kahala Hotel & Resort, is the title sponsor of the Hawaii Invitational of Polo. A welcome reception for international polo players and guests was held there Sept 14. They were greeted by G.M. Gerald Glennon. Speakers included Chris Dawson, founder and president of the Hawaii International Polo Association, and Paul Skellon, the polo invitational chair. Historical commentary was provided by Allen Hoe, chairman of the polo association and president of the Honolulu Polo Club.
Former Gov. John Waihee threw in the first ball to begin the Sept. 16 polo match in Waimanalo, as he did 30 years ago, on March 14, 1987, for the first match held on the field.
Pietsch was honored in the winner’s circle. Looking on were his grandson Gregory Pietsch and Gregory’s cousins, Stephanie Gambetta and Noel Shaw, and the girls’ father, Michael Pietsch Sr.
“This is such an honor,” Gregory said. “I look forward to helping build and grow the legacy of polo in Hawaii.”
People stayed late at the Waimanalo field for “A Night Under The Stars” with Dionne Warwick.
Charles Pietsch Jr. died in 1995 and Sunset Ranch was sold shortly thereafter. Gregory said he loved the land and bought the ranch in 2005, permanently protecting it with a conservation easement …
ON AUG. 1, Beckie Stocchetti took over as executive director of the Hawaii International Film Festival. Her title was left out of a previous column …
Princess Salote Masileo Pilolevu Tuita of Tonga was recently taken to see “Ka Wa‘a” show at the Aulani Disney resort by Jack and Cha Thompson. The princess congratulated their son and daughter, Afatia Thompson and Misty Thompson Tufono, the director and writer, respectively, of the Tihati production …
Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets during World War II, writes of people, places and things. Contact him via email at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
