×
×
homepage logo

Kamehameha Day Parade to honor Senators Inouye and Akaka

By Staff | Jun 13, 2013

The beautiful pa‘u riders are a highlight of the Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa‘u Parade & Ho‘olaule‘a. The parade begins at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, June 15. Photo by Jackie Jean Photography.

LAHAINA – The Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa’u Parade & Ho’olaule’a Planning Committee warmly invites the public to commemorate and celebrate Hawaii’s ali’i through the State Commission’s 2013 theme: “Na Pouhana” – Honoring Senators Inouye & Akaka.”

Festivities will begin on Saturday, June 15, at 9 a.m. at Kamehameha Iki Park next to 505 Front Street.

The parade will start at 9:45 a.m. from Kenui Street down Front Street to Shaw Street. The parade marshals will be representatives from Waiola Church, which is celebrating 190 years.

The popular parade showcases the art of pa’u (Hawaiian equestrian styling) and gathers Maui County organizations and the community to honor the Kamehameha lineage. Parade commentary stations will be located at seven sites along the parade route.

Front Street will be closed to traffic starting at Kenui Street at 8:30 a.m. At 9 a.m., all cross-streets (Baker, Papalaua, Dickenson and Prison streets, and Lahainaluna Road) will be closed.

Maui Police Department and community volunteers will be posted at each intersection to regulate the road closure.

Slated for 9 a.m. until sunset, the free ho’olaule’a will feature keiki games by Kula Kaiapuni ma Nahi’ena’ena; exhibits and tours by Friends of Moku’ula and Hui O Wa’a Kaulua; Maui made arts and crafts hosted by the Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club and LahainaTown Action Committee; live local entertainment (music, hula and Polynesian dancing); lei making by the Lahaina-Honolua Senior Citizens Club; and a pa’u exhibit – meet and greet the pa’u princesses and riders.

The pa’u awards ceremony will be held at 1:15 p.m.

Hui O Wa’a Kaulua will give walking tours of its voyaging canoes.

Lying virtually undisturbed for almost a century, Moku’ula, located across from Kamehameha Iki Park, was a political and spiritual center and ancient home of Maui’s chiefly lines.

Archaeology has confirmed the existence of Moku’ula, the royal residences and mausoleum, and Mokuhinia, a large, spring-fed, natural wetland containing taro patches and fishponds. Visit www.mokuula.com/ for information.

Planning this year’s event are Daryl Fujiwara of Smythe Fujiwara Design and the Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club. Pa’u Co-chairs are Kekoa Yap and Kalani Kapu.

For more information on the parade and ho’olaule’a, call 264-8779.