Float
1. D. Morikawa and the Taiko Drummers – 1st prize float and overall Grand Winner of the parade
D. Morikawa and friends along with the Taiko drummers are here to honor the Japanese culture and respect for the obon season.
2. Old Koloa Town – 2nd prize
Kawamoto Barber Shop and Yamamoto Store. Saturday was a big day for plantation workers. Tadao Kawamoto, the famous barber of Koloa, was open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Old Koloa Town. Haircuts were 25 cents and a shave cost 15 cents. Kawamoto stayed in business for 51 years. Satisfied customers returned again and again and spread the word of the Barber of Koloa who “talked story” with generations of residents.
The Yamamoto Store of the “Monkey Pod Store” was the place to purchase candy and soft drinks before heading across the street for a movie at the Koloa Theatre. Crack seed, coconut candy, and whole dried abalone were also the special favorites of school children who stopped for after school snacks. The Yamamotos were also well known for their fishing supplies and poles.
3. Koloa Elementary School ‘Ukulele Band (Float) – 3rd prize (tie)
Koloa School’s float depicts the Sweet Memories of a backyard “Kanikapila” with the keiki. The days when there were no televisions or cd players and folks entertained themselves with the melodies of the ‘ukulele.
Koloa School proudly presents its ‘Ukulele Band, under the direction of Niles and Ailene Kageyama. The band is made up of students in grades 3-5.
3. Marriott Waiohai Beach Club – 3rd prize (tie)
Waiohai’s float entry celebrates Sweet Memories with a theme reflecting on the past. Eighty percent of the material on the float was made of reusable material or recyclable items. Earlier this year Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club along with nine other state businesses were recognized as a Green Business under the Hawai‘i Green Business Program’s Green Hotels/Resorts.
Decorated Vehicle
1. Miss Kaua‘i and Miss Garden Isle – 1st prize
2010 Miss Kaua‘i Veronica Pablo and 2010 Miss Garden Isle Haaheo Oliver were honored to be part of Sweet Memories 25th Anniversary Celebration.
Their lovely hula dancers, Hawaiian music and plumeria blossoms portrayed a Hawaiian luau in which people come together and celebrate.
2. Marriott Waiohai Beach Club – 2nd prize
The convertible decorated in flowers honors Nathan Liberato Kahikolu Kahapea Kalama. Uncle Nathan was a resident of the Koloa area for over 30 years and attended Koloa Elementary School and Kalaheo School. He was a living treasure who has dedicated his life to perpetuating Hawaiian practices and culture in many different ways.
3. Na Hoku O Kaua‘i Pageant – 3rd prize
Na Hoku O Kaua‘i Pageant is under the directorship of Cheryl Perreira and proudly sponsored by J & M Fence. Here are the 2009 Queens: Baby Miss Say-bre Pegeder, Tiny Miss Hailey Overmyer, Little Miss Kaira Kelekoma, Young Miss Salisa Pegeder, Petite Miss Crystal Tangalin, and Teen Miss Victoria Rivera-Baxter.
Walking Unit
1. Grand Hyatt (Walking Unit) – 1st prize
Walking from the Past to Present. Wow “Sweet Treats” tamarind, jelly beans, orange wedges, coconut candy, wax juice bottles all made from the sugar harvest of the Plantation.
2. Malama Maha’ulepu – 2nd prize
Malama Maha’ulepu walked with their banner and pulled their wagon which was decorated with posters of the Koloa Mill made from photos taken by Carol Ann Davis. They passed out small packs of sugar to parade bystanders. The sugar came from the last harvest in 1996 from the Koloa Mill and was saved by Diane Chang as a sweet memory. The group wore silver palaka neckscarves to commemorate the silver 25th anniversary of Koloa Plantation Days. Some of the members of the original Ohana Maha’ulepu are walking with the group today. Napua Romo, Suzanne Kashiwaeda, and David Chang.
3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – 3rd prize
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Kalaheo Ward wore specially designed logo T-shirts. They handed out natural cane sugar packets for everyone to enjoy the sweet memories of our pioneers.
Mounted Unit
1. Grand Hyatt (Equestrian) – 1st prize
2. Kaua‘i All-Girls Rodeo Association – 2nd prize
The cowgirls of the Kaua‘i All-Girls Rodeo Association and their horses were decked out in silver, honoring the traditional color of the 25th anniversary.
3. Kaua‘i Rodeo Working Paniolo – 3rd prize
