Keiki sing and march during the Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa‘u Parade. PHOTO BY LISA VILLARIMO PHOTOGRAPHY.

LAHAINA – The Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa’u Parade & Ho’olaule’a will be celebrated at Lahaina’s Second Friday Town Party on June 12 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Campbell Park in between the Baldwin Home Museum and The Wharf Cinema Center.

The event will feature Hawaiian music by Maui Jam and Na Wai ‘Eha; ono food booths to support the Boys and Girls Club (teriyaki chicken plate) and Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club (kalua pig bowls); and free keiki art activities and exhibits.

The celebration continues on Saturday, June 13, with the parade from Kenui Street down Front Street to Shaw Street commencing at 9:45 a.m., and the ho’olaule’a at Keawaiki (Banyan Tree Park) that begins at 9 a.m. Front Street will close at 8:30 a.m. for the parade.

The Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa’u Parade & Ho’olaule’a Planning Committee warmly invite you to commemorate and celebrate Hawaii’s ali’i through the State Commission theme: “E ola ka Mo’i Kamehameha ‘Elima,” Honoring the 150th Anniversary of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I.

The 2015 Parade Marshal is Sir William Roback of Hana, Ali’i Nui of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I. A retired officer of the Maui Police Department, Roback joined the Royal Order of Kamehameha-Kahekili Chapter. After many years of service, in 2009 he was elected Ali’i Nui of all chapters.

The 2015 Pa’u Marshals are Merton Kekiwi and Michael Purdy. Kekiwi was raised a paniolo on Kaonoulu Ranch by his parents, Hua and Annie Kekiwi. When he was 18, he was hired at Ulupalakua and worked there over 40 years.

Purdy was raised on Ulupalakua Ranch by his parents, Daniel and Nancy Purdy. Now a retired cowboy of 40 years, like Kekiwi, he watches as his children and mo’opuna continue to live the paniolo lifestyle.

The parade showcases the art of pa’u – a visual demonstration of Hawaiian equestrian styling – and gathers Maui County organizations and the community to honor the Kamehameha lineage.

Parade commentary stations will be located at Longhi’s, Kimo’s, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Lahaina Pizza Co., The Wharf Cinema Center and the entertainment stage at Kamehameha Iki Park.

The ho’olaule’a will include exhibits, keiki art activities, a pa’u awards presentation, food booths supporting community non-profits, Maui made crafters, music and hula. The festivities are scheduled to last until sunset.

Grammy Award nominee and Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona and Halau O Ka Hanu Lehua will take the stage at 12:30 p.m.

After the pa’u awards ceremony at 1:45 p.m., Leohone featuring Ikaika Blackburn, Pi’ilani Arias and Kamakoa Lindsey Asing will perform at 2 p.m.

Front Street will be closed to traffic starting at Kenui Street at 8:30 a.m. At 9 a.m., all cross streets will be closed, including Baker Street, Papalaua Street, Lahainaluna Road and Dickenson and Prison streets. Maui Police Department officers and community volunteers will be posted at each intersection to regulate the road closure.

Planning co-chairs for the 2015 event are Daryl Fujiwara of Smythe Fujiwara Design, the Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club, Pa’u Co-chairs Donna Otsuka and Gena Lay Rickard, Po’o Roving Marshal Melissa Sowers and Pa’u Coordinator Kathleen Birmingham.

For more information about the parade and ho’olaule’a, call (808) 264-8779.