On Saturday, Kailua Village celebrated Kamehameha Day, albeit a bit late, with a parade and not one but two ho’olaule’a. Although Kamehameha Day, celebrating the birthday of the great king, is June 11, Kailua Village postponed its celebration to avoid conflicting with Hilo (Saturday, June 9) or Kohala (Monday, June 11).
The Pa’u Parade started at 9 a.m. from Royal Kona Resort and went north. Apparently there were no horses left in Kohala, Ka’u, or Mauka Kona, because the parade was filled with them. Each island was represented by a colorful pa’u unit, which a Queen, Princesses, and Men in Waiting. Each island was represented by different color pa’u and lei, with the horses as well as the riders adorned in flowers and leaves.
The parade also included the Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Kamehameha Schools, the Hawaii County Band with a new song for the occasion, the Hawaii County Fire Department, Mayor Billy Kenoi walking with his wife and three children, military units that carried many members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the all-Japanese American unit from World War II, and more. One of the most popular categories of entries into the parade were the Pooper Scoopers, who were all applauded enthusiastically when they passed and more so when they did their job.
After the parade, there were two ho’olaule’a, or celebrations, to keep the crowd engaged. Aloha Victor commandeered Hale Halawai and offered authentic Hawaiian hula, ono food, and activities. At the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, the ho’olaulea went on til 3, with ono food, Hawiian cultural activities, and first rate entertainment with Cyril Pahinui and Darlene Ahuna, and more.
