Celebrate our ali‘i at the Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa‘u Parade and Ho‘olaule‘a
LAHAINA – The Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa’u Parade & Ho’olaule’a Planning Committee invite the public to commemorate and celebrate our ali’i through the State Commission theme: “Na kahu o na mea makamae – Celebrating our Museums.”
The festivities kick off on Friday, June 13, at Lahaina’s Second Friday Town Party from 5 to 8 p.m. at Campbell Park (in between the Baldwin Home Museum and Wharf Cinema Center).
Enjoy Hawaiian music by Hawaii Island’s Sean Robbins and Maui’s Leohone featuring Ikaika Blackburn, Pi’ilani Arias and Kamakoa Lindsey-Asing, as well as free keiki art activities and exhibits.
There will be ono food booths to support the Boys and Girls Club (teri chicken plate) and Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club (kalua pig bowl).
The celebration continues on Saturday, June 14, with the parade starting at 9:45 a.m. from Kenui Street down Front Street to Shaw Street.
The ho’olaule’a will include exhibits, keiki art activities, a pa’u awards presentation at 1 p.m., food booths supporting community non-profits, Maui made crafters and local entertainment.
Free festivities are scheduled to last until sunset at two venues this year: Keawaiki (Banyan Tree Park) and Kamehameha Iki Park (Old Armory Park next to 505 Front Street).
At Keawaiki from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the ho’olaule’a will feature Maui Made Arts & Crafts, local food favorites to support Maui non-profits, lei making, the chance to meet the pa’u princesses and riders, cultural exhibits, keiki art activities and entertainment by Sean Robbins, Huewa, Halau Kealakahinano’opuna, Lahaina-Honolua Senior Citizens and Kulewa.
At Kamehameha Iki (Old Armory) Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a farmers’ market, Maui made arts and crafts, local food to support non-profits, music by local artists and tours by Hui O Wa’a Kaulua and Friends of Moku’ula.
A community tradition, 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 entertainment stage at Kamehameha Iki Park.
Front Street will be closed to traffic starting at Kenui Street at 8:30 a.m. At 9 a.m., all subsequent cross-streets will be closed (Baker, Papalaua, Dickenson and Prison streets, and Lahainaluna Road). Maui Police Department and community volunteers will be posted at each intersection to regulate the road closure.
Planning co-chairs for this year’s event are Daryl Fujiwara of Smythe Fujiwara Design, the Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club and Pa’u Chair Kalani Kapu.
For more information on the parade and ho’olaule’a, call (808) 264-8779.