The Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa‘u Parade features elegant pa‘u riders. Yards of brilliant fabric, usually of an island’s particular color, go into long skirts and saddle decorations, and thousands of flower blossoms are strung and woven into lei for the horses and riders.

LAHAINA – With the State Commission theme “Ho’oilina Pulama Na Na Mamo – Passing the Torch,” the Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa’u Parade & Ho’olaule’a will be held in Lahaina Town on Saturday, June 17.

The Parade Committee would like to warmly invite you to commemorate and celebrate our ali’i through the annual event.

Commercial and non-commercial (nonprofit) floats, decorated vehicles, marching and walking units are sought for the parade.

For more information and applications, e-mail sfdhawaii@gmail.com.

On June 17, the parade will commence at 9:45 a.m. from Kenui Street down Front Street to Shaw Street.

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 Girl Scouts of Hawaii will celebrate 100 years of participating in the parade, along with 50 years for the Napili Kai Foundation.

The parade will officially welcome home the Hokule’a from its world voyage. The 2017 grand parade marshal is ‘ohana Kaina of Lahaina, who for years have shared their torch light with the people of Hawaii and visitors.

Starting at 9 a.m., the ho’olaule’a under the Lahaina Banyan Tree will include exhibits, keiki art activities, a parade and pa’u awards presentation, food booths supporting community non-profits, Maui made crafters, music and hula. The festivities are scheduled to last until 5 p.m. and continue the next day, Sunday, June 18, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Front Street will be closed to traffic on Saturday morning starting at Kenui Street at 8:30 a.m. At 9 a.m., all subsequent cross-streets will be closed. These streets include Baker Street, Papalaua Street, Lahainaluna Road, Dickenson Street and Prison Street.

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 Co-chairs Donna Otsuka and Gena Lay Rickard.

Melissa Sowers is the po’o roving marshal, and Moani Whittle-Wagner is the pa’u coordinator.

Event partners include the Hawaii Tourism Authority, County of Maui, Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club, Smythe Fujiwara Design, Tri-Isle RC&D Council Inc. and LahainaTown Action Committee.

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