The annual parade and ho‘olaule‘a honor King Kamehameha I and his lineage.

LAHAINA — The 2023 Naā Kamehameha Commemorative Pa’u Parade and Ho’olaule’a is scheduled for Saturday, June 17, celebrating the Hawaii-wide theme “E ala e na kini o ka ‘aina” — Arise all people of the land!

The application is available online, and the deadline to apply is May 26, 2023.

The parade entry Google form — along with rules, judging criteria and more — is available online at https://forms.gle/yNAcPiqj31gNjbRW7.

Organizers are looking for more floats, but they welcome all kinds of participation!

FLOAT: Any decorated, self-propelled vehicle, or a trailer, pulled by another vehicle which when decorated no longer resembles said vehicle. The maximum height allowed is 20 feet from street level to the highest point.

DECORATED VEHICLE: Any vehicle (car, truck, golf cart, etc.) which still resembles said vehicle after decorations have been added. Maximum height allowed is 20 feet from street level to the highest point.

MARCHING UNITS: Precision drill teams, flag units, cheering squads, marching bands, military marching units, etc., whose movements or routines are in cadence or unison.

WALKING UNITS: A group or organization whose members walk the route. Divisions include Commercial: incorporated establishments in business for profit. Participants of this type have an entry fee of $50.

Non-commercial entries include nonprofit organizations, schools and community groups. Participants of this type have no entry fee.

Road closure notice! Front Street will be closed Saturday, June 17, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. from Mala Bridge at Lahaina Cannery Mall to Shaw Street. Parking will not be allowed along Front Street. All cars will be towed at the driver’s expense; please plan accordingly. Parking for the event will be available at the Outlets of Maui, Wharf Cinema Center (paid) and public parking lot at the corner of Luakini and Prison streets.

“Last year’s event was the first out of COVID, and I could see how excited everyone was to be able to gather again. We had a great turnout — big crowd! We’re hoping to have everyone return to Lahaina and celebrate Kamehameha together once again,” shared Coordinator Daryl Fujiwara. “Remember to dress accordingly, be generous with sunscreen and stay hydrated — Lahaina is hot. Come and see our pa’uū riders bedecked with their beautiful lei. They work all year round to present themselves”

This is a commemoration more than a celebration — this parade is to honor Kamehameha I and his lineage. Please consider this when creating what your participation piece will look like.

Event sponsors include the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, Lahaina Restoration Foundation and the Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club.