Born and raised on the North Shore of Oahu, Master saddle maker and leather crafter, Albert Moniz decided to fulfill a lifelong dream and move to the Big Island. For nearly 30 years, Albert has been making new saddles, reparing and re-building Western and English saddles and custom making other leather accessories, such as knife cases, bull whips and many other things unique to the paniolo. Albert has a passion for continuing to make the unique Noho Lio (Hawaiian Tree Saddle).
He remembers the many stories his father told him about being born and growing up on the Big Island. The stories created a curiosity and desire to move there someday. Anna Ranch, located in Waimea on the Big Island, was looking for just such a professional and talented person to join the Historic Home and Heritage Center as one of their in-house artisans. The focus of the Heritage Center is to share and promote Waimea's cultural and historical ranching traditions and we are proud to have Albert a part of our Anna Ranch 'ohana (family). Aunty Anna Perry-Fiske wanted to be sure that the ranching history would never be lost and that the younger generation would always know how it all started.
Located in the historic barn, Albert’s saddle shop shares space with the on-site blacksmith Ethan Froney and the interactive educational center. He is available Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 3:00pm and invites everyone to visit his shop to see his work and talk story.
To see Albert at work, visit Anna Ranch at 65-1480 Kawaihae Road, Kamuela, Hawaii. Click on the "Map" link above. You can call Anna Ranch at (808) 885-4426 or call Albert directly at: (808) 782-5715.
