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Parade to mark Hawaii’s two centuries of unity

By Staff | Jun 3, 2010

Lahaina’s Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa‘u Parade features elegant pa‘u riders on their horses, adorned with exotic flowers representing each Hawaiian island.

LAHAINA — In 1810, Kamehameha the Great unified the eight major islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Lahaina’s Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa‘u Parade and Ho‘olaule‘a on Saturday, June 12, will celebrate 200 years of this unity.

The 2010 theme is “E Ho‘okahi Ka Mana‘o, Ho‘okahi Pu‘uwai, Ho‘okahi Ke Aloha” (Be of one mind, one heart, one love).

Daryl Fujiwara, planning co-chair of the event with Matthew Erickson, noted that Kumu Hula Poni Kamau‘u of the Kamehameha Day Celebrations State Commission selected the theme before he passed away on Oct. 26, 2009.

“We honor his memory and Kamehameha for unifying the islands and establishing the Kingdom of Hawaii,” said Fujiwara of Smythe Fujiwara Design.

The song “Ka Na‘i Aupuni” explores Kamehameha’s role in history.

“This song honors the great chiefs of the islands… Keawe of Hawaii; Pi‘ilani, who ruled the Hono bays of Maui; Kakuhihewa, chief of Oahu; Manokalanipo, king of Kauai. The words are attributed to Kamehameha Nui on his death bed, as he counseled the chiefs surrounding him. They all agreed that only righteousness would preserve the nation of Hawaii,” he explained.

A Lahaina tradition, the parade will start on Front Street at Kenui Street at 9:45 a.m. The procession will make its way southward and end at Moku‘ula near Shaw Street.

Front Street will be closed to traffic starting at Kenui at 8:30 a.m. At 9 a.m., cross-streets along the parade route will be closed. Police officers and community volunteers will be posted at each intersection to regulate the road closure.

Opening ceremonies and entertainment will begin at Keawa‘iki Park (Banyan Tree Park) at 9 a.m. The ho‘olaule‘a will run throughout the day until 5 p.m. and feature nonstop entertainment, awards, crafters and food booths benefiting Maui non-profits.

The parade will feature colorful floats, decorated vehicles, marching units and not-to-be-missed pa‘u riders on their horses, all honoring King Kamehameha and his family. 

Pa‘u Co-Chairs are Crystal Alboro and Sue Reyes.

Edward Moanaliha Uwekoolani Sr. will serve as pa‘u marshall, and the Royal Court will feature ‘Ohana Ho‘opai of Hana.

Commentators will be stationed along the parade route at Longhi’s, Kimo’s, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Lahaina Pizza Company and The Wharf Cinema Center.

At Banyan Tree Park, feast on kalua pig sandwiches, kalua pig nachos, beef stew and caesar salad sold by the Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club and Relay For Life-Team ILWU Maui.

In the park, members of the Lahaina-Honolua Senior Citizens Club will string lei, and an exhibit will display artifacts and video following the Kamehameha Lineage in Lahaina in a timeline format.

Hui O Wa‘a Kaulua will explore early voyaging to show how Polynesians came to Hawaii. They will feature a model of a voyaging canoe and showcase what the hui has in store for the future.

The Friends of Moku‘ula’s display will show pre-contact during the ruling of Maui Chief Pi‘ilani and provide information on recent archaeological finds at Moku‘ula.

And Lahaina Restoration Foundation will create a display on the Monarchy period — the rule of Kamehameha III and Kamehameha IV — and how these two ali‘i influenced Lahaina.

Toddy Lilikoi will emcee the day’s entertainment by various local artists, including Kulewa, Lui Williams and Napili Kai Foundation.

Pa‘u Marshall Uwekoolani was born to Margaret Mileka Poaipuni Pahaa and William Moanaliha on June 25, 1936 in Kanaio, Maui, when people rode horses or walked to get around. Cars were only used for long distance trips. 

His father, William “Big Bill” Moanaliha, worked for various ranches throughout his life, finally ending with Ulupalakua Ranch.

When Ed was 17, he and two cousins cut out of work and went to Wailuku Town to apply for the military. Soon after, Ed shipped off and became a Marine and saw the world.

Ed and all of his brothers worked for Ulupalakua Ranch for a time. After marrying, he and his wife, Rota Parkinson, settled in Alaska for about 25 years and raised their family.

In 1990, Ed felt it was time to come home. He and his wife and youngest child returned to Maui. 

Ed picked up where he left off and started ranching again for Haleakala Ranch. He retired from Haleakala in 2003 and began to work for Piiholo Ranch, where he is still employed today. 

“Ed has led a very full life that started and continues in the Paniolo lifestyle,” Fujiwara noted.